BETHANY BEACH, Del. - With the summer tourist season in full swing, officials in Bethany Beach are emphasizing the need for improved bicycle and pedestrian safety.
The town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee says it has noticed an increase in near-miss incidents involving cyclists and pedestrians. In response, the committee is working to raise awareness about safe riding practices by engaging with local bike shops.
Committee members recently heard safety suggestions from a Florida police chief, including the possibility of adding bike lanes and introducing regulations for electric bicycles.
Steve Hornish, a Bethany Beach resident who rides an electric bike, said that while the town is generally safe, riders still need to be cautious.
“I don’t take it for granted when you get into a crosswalk that people are necessarily going to stop because you’re on a bike in your cross,” Hornish said. “And so I’m always cautious.”
The committee emphasized that safety should not rely on luck, and that a collective effort is required from both local officials and the community. This comes just weeks after Bethany Beach held a workshop for a bicycle and pedestrian corridor study.
