Delaware's cycling fortunes still rising
According to The League of American Bicyclists, an advocacy group in existence since 1880, Delaware now ranks as the third most friendly state in the country for bicycling. That ranking is up one notch from last year’s No. 4 ranking and puts Delaware behind only Washington, No. 1, and Minnesota for bicycle friendliness. Delaware, according to the league, continues to hold the distinction of being the No. 1 most bicycle-friendly state east of the Mississippi.
Delaware received its highest score in education and encouragement, and also received strong scores in the categories of policies and programs, infrastructure and funding, and legislation and enforcement. In the enforcement category, Delaware took a step forward in the 2014 legislative session when it passed a safe-passing law that requires motorists to give at least three feet of clearance between their vehicles and bicyclists.
Delaware’s ranking is good news in many respects. It sends a message across the land that we’re serious about providing good and safe cycling conditions for residents and visitors. That’s beneficial for economic development, especially since we rely so much on tourism dollars. Anyone who has cycled the Gordons Pond Trail in Cape Henlopen State Park on a weekend in the last year can attest to the thousands of walkers and riders it attracts.
And while the economic development aspect is important, the high ranking also shows that we’re serious about encouraging people to get outside and educating them about the health and happiness benefits to being outside and being active. In a state that spends one third of its budget on Medicare and Medicaid, anything we can do to keep people healthier and out of hospitals and doctors’ offices will release more dollars for improved transportation, parks and waterways.
While Delaware’s high ranking is worthy of celebration, we remain painfully aware in our resort area that much more needs to be done to provide a safer experience for those riding our roads and shoulders. The safer people feel while riding their bicycles, the more they will ride, and the more healthy and happy they will be as a result.
