This headline, DelDOT to unveil first bicycle box at Dartmouth & Route 1, appeared in the May 10 edition of the Cape Gazette.
I suggest the proposed bicycle box at the intersection of Route 1 and Dartmouth Drive is not a well-thought-out idea. Of all the possible intersections DelDOT could have chosen in Delaware, this is the absolute worst. It will inconvenience the many to accommodate the few.
And, the law of unintended consequences will invariably rear its ugly head
The left turn/straight ahead turn lane from Dartmouth onto Route 1 is already part of the traffic backup from frustrated drivers during the summer months. As a consequence of their long delay in finally getting the opportunity to turn onto southbound Route 1, they drive out into the intersection, even though the traffic light has already changed to red.
They then block the intersection for all traffic.
The summer Route 1 southbound backup strands them in the intersection.
The proposed bicycle box will only exacerbate the problem. Drivers in the bicycle box lane will be even more infuriated when further delayed by the bicyclists.
They will face the wrath of impatient drivers and already irritated tourists, especially those who have been waiting in the interminably long Kings Highway Lewes-Cape May Ferry summer traffic nightmare. They will be even more likely to enter the intersection after the light has changed.
Mark my words. There will be verbal harassment and potential physical altercations directed at the bicycle box bicyclists.
You really have to question DelDOT’s judgement on this one. Put the bicycle box in the bad idea penalty box.
Steve Hyle
Lewes
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