LEWES, Del. — A parking ban on a portion of Savannah Road in Lewes is drawing mixed reactions from local cyclists, two months after the ordinance took effect.
The city of Lewes passed the ordinance Jan. 13, citing bicycle safety concerns as the main reason. Specifically, the ban applies along Savannah Road from the municipal city limits to Drake Knoll on both sides of Savannah Road.
Specifically, the ban applies along Savannah Road from the municipal city limits to Drake Knoll on both sides of Savannah Road.
Lewes local Rosemary Gorman, who regularly uses the nearby bike trail, supports the ban.
“Especially in the summer when there’s so much more traffic on Savannah Road and cars parked and bicycles going around the cars, I just feel like that puts the biker at risk,” said Gorman.
However, other cyclists, like Gail Lavrentiev, believe there is enough space for both parked cars and bikers.
“Most bikers are, I think, biking the trail, but even if you’re going in and out of Lewes, I think there’s plenty of room to park a car there and then bike,” said Lavrentiev.
Lewes Brewing Co., which is located along Savannah Road, previously opposed the parking ban, arguing that customers rely on the area for parking.
“There were no parking spaces at the brewery, and we almost didn’t go,” said Lavrentiev. “And then we just kept driving up and down again, and that wasn’t even in the height of the season. I don’t know what they’re going to do in the summer.”
The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee told CoastTV they stand by their recommendation to the city to ban parking, stating that cyclists should have the option to either ride on the trail or in the road.