Lewes bike panel gets update on DelDOT master plan

Things called “Dutch left,” “pedestrian refuge” and “permissive flare” are among the traffic-control devices and terms in the Delaware Department of Transportation’s draft of recommendations to create low-stress bicycle and pedestrian routes in the City of Lewes.

DelDOT and its traffic consultants Whitman, Requardt & Associates and the Rossi Group laid out the ideas to the Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee at its Sept. 26 meeting.

The goal of the project is to help Lewes offer a safer, smoother and friendlier experience for bicyclists, especially when interacting with motorists and each other.

The low-stress routes would avoid busy roads as much as possible, and include new crossings, lanes, signs and some of those new traffic-control devices where needed. 

As an example, one low-stress route would direct bikes along Bay Avenue as an alternative to the heavily traveled Cedar Street.

Another route would allow people to follow the Lewes-Georgetown Trail, safely cross Savannah Road at Sussex Drive, and then continue on a trail and side streets around George H.P. Smith Park and into downtown.

One unique traffic-control example would be a contra-flow bike lane on Shipcarpenter Street. It would allow bikes to ride against traffic on the one-way street to get from Pilottown Road to places like George H.P. Smith Park.

Other changes would include adding side paths on New Road between Captain’s Circle and W. Fourth Street, and advisory shoulder lanes on Piliottown Road.

“In talking about different ways of managing traffic stress, it seems like something that would make sense,” said committee member Sumner Crosby, who lives on Pilottown Road.

The DelDOT draft proposal offers a lot of information on the intersection of Savannah Road, Gills Neck Road and Front Street at the foot of the drawbridge.

Ideas include a left-turn bike box from Gills Neck to Savannah, pedestrian refuge islands on Savannah and possibly the elimination of left-turn lanes altogether.

“We would do what’s called a permissive flare,” said Paul Moser, a DelDOT local systems improvement engineer. “There’s enough room to go around people who are waiting to turn left. We could have wider dedicated bike lanes, shorten the signal times, have shorter wait times for pedestrians waiting to cross. This one’s a little bit scary in some people’s minds.”

DelDOT said removing the turn lanes would allow for dedicated bike lanes in each direction on the bridge itself.  

In August, Lewes Mayor and City Council approved painting sharrows on the bridge to let motorists know that bikes are allowed to use the entire lane. The city will also change the stencils on the sidewalks to read “Walk Bike on Sidewalk.”

DelDOT will present the recommendations at a public workshop set for 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Lewes Public Library.

The bike/ped committee also discussed the creation of a bike ambassador program to focus on education, not enforcement, of rules and etiquette.

“This is a public education process that’s going to take multiple years to change behavior and understand the rules of the road,” said Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba, who serves as an ex officio committee member.

Lewes Police Chief Tom Spell said the rules of the road do not apply to bike trails, and police cannot enforce them, so bike ambassadors could be an asset. “Ideally, I think the trails are a great spot for them, just for education, visibility, awareness. It’s somebody who is eyes and ears for the police,” he said.

“I don’t think this should just be about pointing out what’s wrong with what folks are doing,” said committee member Mary Roth. She said she favors a program that welcomes people and helps them navigate around Lewes.

Two Lewes residents addressed the committee about their experiences and what they say is needed to crack down on speeding bikes.

Larry Franz, who said he rides his e-bike more than 2,000 miles a summer, said, “95% of the speeding done on these trails is done by non-e-bikes. The emphasis should be on the speed, as opposed to the bike.”

Ellison Carey, who said she just took up biking this summer, told the committee about a harrowing incident she had on the Lewes-Georgetown Trail near Donovans Road. “All of a sudden this guy came behind me; he had to be going 20-25 miles per hour, never said ‘on the left’ or anything, scared me and I fell over into a fence,” she said.

“I haven’t heard anything we’ve discussed that’s really going to stop that guy,” said committee member Glenn Dunnington.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has jurisdiction over bike trails. Committee members said there is currently no speed enforcement.