Drivers traveling over the St. Georges Bridge shouldn’t be surprised to see a group of cyclists in the lane next to them now that the bridge includes brand new bicycle lanes and reduced vehicle lanes.
Representatives from the Delaware Department of Transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and several state officials gathered at Commodore MacDonough School in St. Georges Aug. 26 to celebrate the bridge’s repairs, which were completed at the end of May.
Gov. Jack Markell, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) led a pack of nearly 100 cyclists as they pedaled across the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal to christen the new bike lanes that span the bridge.
The new bike lanes are part of a set of repairs made to the bridge that also included reducing vehicle lanes from four to two and smoothing out the concrete surface.
Carper said during the event that the bike lanes present a great opportunity for residents in Delaware.
“Many Delawareans have no other option than to use their cars, trucks and vans for every trip,” he said. “Today we are providing them with additional options. By adding bike lanes to the St. Georges Bridge … we are reducing congestion, improving our air quality and giving people an opportunity to get some great exercise.”
Amy Wilburn, chair of the Delaware Bicycle Council, said the lanes have been a goal of the bicycling community for more than 20 years. Because of the speed of the passing cars and the narrow shoulders, other options for cycling over the C&D Canal, like the Reedy Point Bridge, Route 1 Bridge or the Summit Bridge, created safety barriers for cyclists.
“When you’re on a bridge, you’re particularly vulnerable because there really is no place to go if you’ve got a problem,” she said. “Now we have these wide bike lanes with buffers and [orange tubular markers] that hopefully serve as a visual reminder that this lane really is for bikes.”
Odessa resident Gene Messick, a member of the White Clay Bike Club, said he and his friend Bob Conely of Bear often ride through the St. Georges area, but they used to stay away from the canal because they felt it was unsafe.
“Now we might use the bridge because we’ll be able to get across safely,” Messick said.
Jay Kistler, a member of the University of Delaware Cycling Club, said the team often pedals south when looking for a flat ride, and the new lanes will make the trip easier.
“This is much better,” he said. “It could be a tourist attraction. It’s really pretty up there at the top.”
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Drivers traveling over the St. Georges Bridge shouldn’t be surprised to see a group of cyclists in the lane next to them now that the bridge includes brand new bicycle lanes and reduced vehicle lanes.
Representatives from the Delaware Department of Transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and several state officials gathered at Commodore MacDonough School in St. Georges Aug. 26 to celebrate the bridge’s repairs, which were completed at the end of May.
Gov. Jack Markell, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) led a pack of nearly 100 cyclists as they pedaled across the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal to christen the new bike lanes that span the bridge.
The new bike lanes are part of a set of repairs made to the bridge that also included reducing vehicle lanes from four to two and smoothing out the concrete surface.
Carper said during the event that the bike lanes present a great opportunity for residents in Delaware.
“Many Delawareans have no other option than to use their cars, trucks and vans for every trip,” he said. “Today we are providing them with additional options. By adding bike lanes to the St. Georges Bridge … we are reducing congestion, improving our air quality and giving people an opportunity to get some great exercise.”
Amy Wilburn, chair of the Delaware Bicycle Council, said the lanes have been a goal of the bicycling community for more than 20 years. Because of the speed of the passing cars and the narrow shoulders, other options for cycling over the C&D Canal, like the Reedy Point Bridge, Route 1 Bridge or the Summit Bridge, created safety barriers for cyclists.
“When you’re on a bridge, you’re particularly vulnerable because there really is no place to go if you’ve got a problem,” she said. “Now we have these wide bike lanes with buffers and [orange tubular markers] that hopefully serve as a visual reminder that this lane really is for bikes.”
Odessa resident Gene Messick, a member of the White Clay Bike Club, said he and his friend Bob Conely of Bear often ride through the St. Georges area, but they used to stay away from the canal because they felt it was unsafe.
“Now we might use the bridge because we’ll be able to get across safely,” Messick said.
Jay Kistler, a member of the University of Delaware Cycling Club, said the team often pedals south when looking for a flat ride, and the new lanes will make the trip easier.
“This is much better,” he said. “It could be a tourist attraction. It’s really pretty up there at the top.”
