LEWES, Del. - Confusion and concern over cycling safety in Sussex County. Leaders and bike advocates talked about basic issues, like whether bikes or cars have the right of way at trail crossings or on Route One.
James Wilson, Executive Director at Bike Delaware says bike safety has been an issue in Sussex County for years. According to Delaware State Police, in 2019, there were 60 bicycle crashes in Sussex with four deaths.
DelDOT says it has received complaints that drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians are not properly yielding at the Lewes - Georgetown trail.
"Sweetbriar crossing seems to get a lot of attention this year, and also Minos Conway," said Anthony Aglio, DelDOT planning supervisor.
The Delaware Yield Law allows bicyclists to yield at stop signs (when it's clear to cross), instead of making a complete stop.
"I think there's confusion of does the Delaware yield only pertain to state maintained roadway crossings or does it also pertain to trail crossings? ... But the type of signs we have installed at these crossings is specifically for these bicycles to stop at the roadway," said John Fiori the Bicycle Coordinator, for DelDOT.
DelDOT says new trail crossings signs have been installed, and a speed study is being conducted on Sweetbriar to lower the speed limit at the trail crossing.
On Coastal Highway, Wilson said, "somebody was killed in September, and every year we have 25, 30, 35 crashes on that one section of road."
Wilson says Route One is just as much of an issue as the trail. He said there are three categories of solutions: road user behavior, traffic control, and physical design.
"We proposed to the Delaware Bicycle Council pathways on either side of Route One ... you don't actually have to be in the right of way on route one, you can go parallel of Route One."
The Delaware Yield Law is set to expire in October 2021, and for now leaders and bike advocates are searching for ways to make trails and roadways safer.
