(REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.) - According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, nobody has been killed in a biking or pedestrian related accident all year long on the area of Route 1 that runs through Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.
Route 1 is one of the busiest roads in Delaware, and has seen its fair share of accidents. Diana Davis, who visits every year from New York, can attest to the highway's potential risks. "The traffic is horrendous, but for bikes, it's very dangerous, in my opinion. I've seen them, we've ridden to the beach over on that side. This main highway for bikes must be really seriously dangerous."
Earlier this year, Deldot completed an 8.5 million dollar project that added more sidewalk and crosswalk signals to the resort area. The paved sidewalks give bikers a place to ride, and replace what used to be just grass and dirt.
Local bike shop owner, George Panarello, doesn't think the new installments make such a big difference. "The amount of people I've seen with headphones, both headphones in, texting, riding a bike texting, riding a scooter.. and still traveling, I'm surprised there haven't been more accidents than there have been."
Others are excited to take to the busy streets, like Olivia who tells WRDE she just learned how to ride a two-wheeler. "You get to ride with your family and that's really fun, cause now i don't have to keep up with my friends on my scooter."
Panarello says no matter what the circumstances may be, riders should always keep their guards up. "Pay attention to laws, pay attention to the cars. A lot of people driving cars are driving recklessly. They're speeding, they're texting, so you have to watch out not just for yourself but for the cars also and vice versa."