Bike survey finds safety is biggest issue for Lewes cyclists

A survey designed to help create a bike master plan for the City of Lewes found safety to be the top concern of people who ride on the streets and trails in the city.

That was not a surprise to members of the Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which received the results at a special meeting Aug. 28.

Heather Coons, senior environmental planner at the Rossi Group, presented the findings. Rossi is conducting the survey along with the city, Delaware Department of Transportation and Whitman, Requardt and Associates engineers.

The findings will help the committee craft its agenda to meet the needs of the biking and pedestrian community.

The survey was launched at a public workshop June 15 at the Lewes Public Library. It asked a variety of questions about biking habits, concerns and suggestions for making a more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly city.

In summary, most people said they ride bikes in Lewes for fitness and recreation. The top reason people said they don’t ride is they do not feel safe.

Another common theme was e-bike regulations. Committee members expressed concern that some e-bikes are capable of reaching speeds up to 30 mph, creating a safety hazard for bicyclists and pedestrians. They said the master plan should follow state guidelines for classifying e-bikes based on size and speed.

“The [e-bike] industry is trying to get out ahead of regulation, develop a classification system for precisely the reasons you’re laying out,” said Aaron Huertas, who works part time at a local bicycle repair shop. “A cruiser that only goes 20 mph is less problematic than vehicles that are larger and heavier, and have throttles.”

Committee members said there is confusion and frustration over signs at bike trail crossings. 

“One of the most confusing things is the state law that made a stop sign where you don’t have to stop. A stop sign means one thing, ‘stop,’” said committee member Chip Davis. 

“I always say we have too many signs and people are giving up and saying, ‘I’m just going to look both ways and pray that I don’t hit anyone,’ and that’s not a good thing.” said Jennifer Cerelli of DelDOT, who is part of the master plan group.

Committee members also identified the need for more wayfinding signs to get people from bike trails to downtown and other locations.

Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba said he and city leaders recently discussed a list of topics they would like to see addressed in the master plan. 

“Bike safety on the drawbridge is a significant issue. A lot of near misses and concerns about signage,” he said.

Saliba said there is a need for more enforcement. 

“Not just a police presence, but also maybe another way to enforce the laws, and educate people and motorists about the rules of the road,” he said. 

He said he and Parks and Marina Manager Janet Reeves met with Lewes Police Chief Tom Spell to discuss a bike ambassador program. 

The Lewes bike plan group will present more information to the bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee at its regular September meeting.

A second public information session is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Lewes Public Library.

The survey results can be found attached to the agenda for the Aug. 28 meeting at lewes.civicweb.net.