LEWES, Del. - The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee aims to make it safer to walk around town and bike to the beach. But when and how to do it is the question. The committee wants to add crosswalks at multiple locations in town.
One of them is on New Road and West Fourth Street. The committee says people live there full time, and it is important that crosswalks be installed. Plus it is a city road so it would not require DelDOT's involvement. And just up New Road are more concerns.
There is no crosswalk at New Road and Forecastle Lane, and that, the bicycle and pedestrian safety committee says, is a problem.
"Even though the speed limit is now 25 there we know people aren't driving 25 through there," said a committee member.
Although the committee would like to see DelDOT improve New Road they don't think it's going to happen now because, "It's probably unlikley that they are going to make any improvements until they actually do the improvements to the approach on each side of canary creek," "I think that's on the 2023 calendar. It's coming sooner rather than later," said two members.
Also coming sooner rather than later? Looking at Cedar Street. The committee is asking the city to look into the feasibility of adding bike paths to that part of the beach, and changing parking to parallel.
"It's not ideal, diagonl parking is the worst for cyclists but with a 15 foot of right away I believe there's room for parallel parking, a safety zone for doors to swing and then a bike lane at grade but next to travel lanes," said a member.
But not everyone's convinced bike lanes would be used.
I live on a beach access ... you can't believe the amount of things these people take to the beach and the size of the carts. People will not drive their bicycle to the beach. If they did that would be great, I really think that would be a wonderful thing but it just doesn't happen," said Dennis Reardon.
The committee just made recommendations to mayor and city council. They have the ultimate say on whether to look into adding bike lanes or crosswalks. Mayor and City Council's next meeting is October 11th. The pedestrian committee meets again in November.