events – Page 2 – BikeNewark

2024 Bike to Work Day in Newark

photo of Michael Smith — BikeNewark Secretary Michael Smith ably emcees the event.

On May 17, BikeNewark partnered with the City of Newark, the University of Delaware (UD), DelDOT, and Delaware Commute Solutions to celebrate national Bike to Work Day in Newark.

About 75 people attended the hour-long, early-morning event, which has traditionally been held on the University of Delaware’s main campus. At Mentors’ Circle attendees enjoyed light breakfast items, free Bike Month t-shirts (courtesy of DelDOT and the Delaware Bicycle Council), free UD Police t-shirts, commuting and local biking info, great networking, and brief speeches by local and state officials.

photo of Matt Robinson — UD’s Director of Community Engagement Matt Robinson welcomes attendees to campus.

BikeNewark’s Secretary, Michael Smith, acted as the event’s emcee. Introduced first was Matt Robinson, UD’s Director of Community Engagement. Robinson welcomed everyone on behalf of the host institution and spoke of how important University–community partnerships are to the overall success of the city.

photo of Cori Ford — City Councilwoman Corinth Ford talks about her biking experience in Newark.

Newark City Councilwoman and bicycle advocate Corinth Ford spoke about her long history of bicycling in Newark and how much conditions have improved overall for bicyclists.

photo of Paul Baumbach — State Rep. Paul Baumbach begins his remarks with a story of his growing up in a bicycle-centric family.

photo of Dave Sokola — State Sen. Dave Sokola, who is a serious cyclist in his own right, follows Baumbach as a co-keynote speaker.

The event’s co-keynote speakers were local state legislators Rep. Paul Baumbach and Sen. Dave Sokola. Baumbach shared a story of how bicycling has been a key influence in his life. Sokola spoke about how important it has been for the city, county, BikeNewark, Bike Delaware, WILMAPCO, and DelDOT to work together to help plan and fund the improvements we’ve witnessed recently in Newark as well as in projects going forward.

City of Newark Mayor Jerry Clifton then joined City Manager Tom Coleman and BikeNewark chair Bob McBride to announce and present the annual Bicycle Friendly Community Leader Award. This year’s recipient was City staff member Joe Spadafino, the retiring city Director of Parks & Recreation.

photo of award winner Joe Spadafino and presenters — 2024 Bicycle Friendly Community Leader Award recipient Joe Spadafino shows off the framed award certificate, flanked by BikeNewark’s Bob McBride, City Manager Tom Coleman, and Mayor Jerry Clifton.

Spadafino was chosen because, as head of the city’s Parks & Recreation department, he has been very influential in working with BikeNewark to develop and promote bicycling routes and trails throughout the city’s many parks and greenspaces, including guiding the Emerson Bridge project and the in-progress project that will connect the bridge to the Pomeroy Trail (Newark’s North Bikeway) with two separate trails. He continued the wonderful legacy of our city’s Parks & Rec directors, following James F. Hall and Charlie Emerson.

Bloom Energy and W. L. Gore & Associates were each represented by several employees who biked in for the event.

BikeNewark’s Mark Deshon and Michael Smith then drew names of attendees at random to win one of nine giveaways, with a combined value of $400. Gift sponsors included BikeNewark, Bike Delaware, University of Delaware, Trek, Wooden Wheels, Deer Park Tavern, and Klondike Kate’s.

To conclude the proceedings, attendees gathered at the south steps of Hullihen Hall to pose for a group photo.

group photo of Bike to Work Day attendees — A group of nearly 70 attendees gather for an event-concluding photo. See you next year!

Special thanks go to UD’s Kathy Atkinson for photographically covering the event (including all the photos shown here).

Additional Event Photos

photo of attendees registering their attendance — Attendees sign in at the BikeNewark registration table, assisted by Karen Rosenberg and Christine Schultz.

photo of attendees at a vendor table — Attendees stop by the food and vendor tables as they arrive.

photo of Jerry Clifton and Christine Schultz — BikeNewark’s Christine Schultz listens to Newark Mayor Jerry Clifton.

photo of Kevin Monahan and daughter with bike — BikeNewark Vice Chair Kevin Monahan and his youngest daughter show off their custom ride.

photo of Bob McBride — During the event, BikeNewark Chair Bob McBride shares some of what BikeNewark is working on in the community this year.

commuting, events

2023 Bike to Work Day celebration

The four BikeNewark members standing around the event table — BikeNewark members Dave Schultz, Mark Deshon, and Jacquee Lukawski prepare for the crowd to arrive.

On May 19, BikeNewark partnered with the City of Newark, the University of Delaware (UD), DelDOT, and the Newark Bike Project to celebrate national Bike to Work Day in Newark. Bike-group captains led bike-commuting participants from six locations throughout Newark to the venue.

About 65 people attended the hour-long, early-morning event, which has traditionally been held on the University of Delaware’s main campus. At Mentors’ Circle attendees enjoyed light breakfast items, free Bike Month t-shirts (courtesy of DelDOT and the Delaware Bicycle Council), great networking, and brief speeches by local and state officials.

John Fiori sitting behind a table containing stacks of rolled t-shirts — DelDOT’s John Fiori manages the T-shirt giveaway table.

Lou Rossi speaking behind a podium — Dean of UD’s Graduate College and BikeNewark member Lou Rossi welcomes attendees to Mentors’ Circle.

BikeNewark’s Secretary, Michael Smith, acted as the event’s emcee. Introduced first was Lou Rossi, a BikeNewark member who is UD’s Dean of the Graduate College. Rossi welcomed everyone on behalf of the host institution.

Mayor Markham speaking behind a podium — City of Newark Mayor Stu Markham reads prepared remarks by City Manager Tom Coleman.

Newark City Manager Tom Coleman had been scheduled to speak next but could not attend due to a personal necessity. So, in his stead, Mayor Stu Markham, who was to follow Coleman, read some prepared remarks from the City Manager before commenting himself on the bicycle-related progress the city has seen during the past year.

Pamela Steinebach speaking behind a podium — Keynote speaker Pamela Steinebach, DelDOT’s Director of Planning, talks about projects completed and in the works.

The event’s keynote speaker was Pamela Steinebach, DelDOT’s Director of Planning. She spoke at length about all the local projects with which DelDOT has been involved during the past few years. She also talked about ongoing projects, like the I-95/SR896 interchange project, which will help further transform the city’s bicycle infrastructure.

Mike Fortner, a City of Newark planning staffer and BikeNewark member who had coordinated event planning for the Bike to Work Day event, joined Mayor Markham and BikeNewark chair Bob McBride to announce and present the annual Bicycle Friendly Community Leader Award. This year’s recipient was New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer.

Matt Meyer standing behind a podium with the others which holding the award certificate — County Executive Matt Meyer receives the 2023 Bicycle Friendly Community Leader Award. From left are City representatives Mike Fortner and Mayor Markham, Meyer, BikeNewark chair Bob McBride, and BikeNewark secretary and event emcee Michael Smith.

Matt Meyer speaking at a podium — Matt Meyer addresses the crowd after receiving the award.

Meyer was chosen because, in his leadership role with the county, he has demonstrated both a true love for bicycling and an understanding of its importance in connecting communities across the county. To this end, he made sure the county financially supported local bicycle-improvement projects, most recently the Emerson Bridge project, and has pledged funding for the new trail project that will connect the bridge to the Pomeroy Trail (Newark’s North Bikeway).

A surprised and grateful Meyer took the opportunity to laud all the groups, including BikeNewark, that are working together to improve bicycling in Newark and make cross-county connections a reality.

Other dignitaries present included State Sen. Dave Sokola, Rep. Ed Osienski, Rep. Cyndie Romer, and Newark City Councilwoman Corinth Ford.

To conclude the proceedings, attendees gathered at the south steps of Hullihen Hall to pose for a group photo. Special thanks go to UD’s Kathy Atkinson for photographically covering the event.

The whole group of adults and children standing on the steps of one of the U of D buildings, and a dog sits in a parked cargo bike — A group of more than 50 attendees gather for an event-concluding photo. See you next year!

Additional Event Photos

James Wilson and Sen. Dave Sokola talking with others in the background — Bike Delaware’s Executive Director James Wilson engages in a conversation with Sen. Dave Sokola.

The two men talking with others in the background. — State Rep. Ed Osienski talks biking with event coordinator and BikeNewark member Mike Fortner.

Karl Hassler and or Stu Markham talking with others in the background — BikeNewark treasurer Karl Hassler (right) discusses something with Newark Mayor Stu Markham.

three members of BikeNewark chat at the event — BikeNewark members Brian Bahnson, Barb Hughes, and Lou Rossi share a jovial moment together.

A mom and two young girls standing in front of the event table — These two young girls rode in with their mom.

Tim Filasky standing behind a staff bike with a rack and signs — Tim Filasky, City of Newark Director of Public Works & Water Resources, shows off one of the City’s fleet of staff bikes.

education, encouragement, engineering, environment, events, infrastructure, projects, safety, transportation

Accomplishments in 2022

One could argue that 2022 was a “slower” year for BikeNewark in terms of progress, but there were a lot of positive happenings with which we’ve either advocated for or been directly involved in that have recently come to fruition. Below is a list of our activity during 2022.

Received $625 in funding from the White Clay Bicycle Club to be applied to the Newark Bikeways project.

Witnessed and helped publicize the completion of the Delaware Avenue two-way protected bikeway, the result of a project BikeNewark (in its prior manifestation as the Newark Bicycle Committee) had advocated for in 2014 with partner organizations Bike Delaware, the City of Newark, DelDOT, and the Wilmington Area Planning Council.

> See excerpt from June 2014 partnership meeting minutes (PDF)

NBC10 News video – November 2022

Helped install new bike racks at John R. Downes Elementary School.

Completed wayfinding-signage production and installation for the Southwest Bikeway as part of the Newark Bikeways low-stress bicycle network project.

Created a new two-page bicycle-safety document, which is both downloadable and available as a handout; it includes a Delaware Avenue bicycle-infrastructure graphic produced by DelDOT, “4 Safety Tips for Bicyclists,” along with ticklers (with QR codes) for a Main Street sharrows video, a Main Street contraflow-lane video, and the Bicycle Friendly Delaware Act.

photo of County Executive Matt Meyer — County Executive Matt Meyer talks about progress made and big plans for the future.

Highlighted National Bike Month in May with our annual Bike to Work Day event on the campus of the University of Delaware, in coordination with UD, DelDOT, Newark Bike Project, and others.

Supported John R. Downes Elementary School for its annual Bike to School Day celebration in May.

Partnered with Delaware State Parks and the Wilmington Trail Club to complete the installation of wayfinding signage for the Christina Valley Stream Trail.

Reviewed project proposal options for bicycle improvements along the Wyoming Road corridor as part of the City of Newark’s bicycling Innovative Infrastructure Grant it received from the Delaware Bicycle Council.

Began work with the City of Newark on its renewal application for “Bicycle Friendly Community” status.

Executed an order and paid for wayfinding signage for the South Bikeway and for signage that will complete the Central Loop Bikeway.

Partnered with University of Delaware Police and DelDOT to hold two successful bike-safety events on campus, during which about 40 sets of bike lights were installed, about 15 bike helmets were given and fitted, and bicycle-safety information was distributed.

Partnered with University of Delaware Police and Newark Bike Project in a UD-sponsored event where bicycle-safety information was distributed.

Participated with Newark Bike Project at a Newark Center for Creative Learning fair, where safe-cycling materials were distributed to students and parents.

photo of First Friday riders on Pomeroy Trail

Organized and held three First Friday Rides community events—slow group rides that are meant to encourage those of all ages to enjoy bicycling and practice good group-riding etiquette.

Supported and participated with Delaware State Parks in trail-etiquette events at White Clay Creek State Park.

Attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony (during which BikeNewark support was cited) for the Charles R. Emerson Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge over the White Clay Creek, for which we had advocated.

Participated in and hosted a booth at the annual Newark Community Day event.

Increased membership by 52% (added a net of 14 new members) during the calendar year.

Additionally,

Members participated in (and continue on) The Newark Partnership.
A member participated (and continues) on the City of Newark’s Transportation Improvement District Committee.
A member participated (and continues) on the City of Newark’s Conservation Advisory Committee.

events, infrastructure, news, safety, transportation

Emerson Bridge dedicated

The relatively new bike/ped bridge over the White Clay Creek has been utilized by the public now for several months, but on Wednesday, Aug. 10, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)—one of BikeNewark’s partner organizations—held a special ceremony to honor Charlie Emerson, for whom the bridge is named.

photo of Charlie Emerson — The honoree—former Newark Parks & Recreation director Charlie Emerson

Emerson, the former director of the Newark Department of Parks & Recreation, was there with his family to celebrate the dedication of this bridge. The concept was initiated back in 2011 while Emerson was the Parks & Rec director, but the development, fundraising, engineering design, and construction of the Emerson Bridge took about ten years in total to accomplish.

Delaware Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski, who emceed this event, emphasized that her department now thinks in a multimodal way when it comes to transportation. She cited all the partners who provided support and/or funding for this $2 million project, including BikeNewark. Special thanks was given to New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer for getting the county to step up to help fund this project in a big way. Our local state legislators—Sen. Dave Sokola and Rep. Paul Baumbach—were responsible for securing significant funding for the bridge as well.

Both Sokola and Baumbach stressed that, whether a bicyclist or pedestrian, crossing the vehicular bridge that was built in the 1940s was not very safe.

Governor Carney couldn’t be there, but Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long was, and she spoke about the importance of creating better opportunities for people to engage in healthy lifestyles. She said that this bridge is a good example of infrastructure that advances such opportunities.

photo of speakers (seated) and Bethany Hall-Long speaking — Dignitaries listening to Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long

Several speakers alluded to the critical lower-stress connection that this bridge makes both for bicyclists and pedestrians between Newark’s two popular city trails—the Hall and Pomeroy, which were Charlie Emerson projects—and city, county, and state parkland north of the White Clay Creek.

photo of Stu Markham — Newark Mayor Stu Markham

Newark Mayor Stu Markham gave credit to his two immediate predecessors, Jerry Clifton and Polly Sierer, for seeing that this project moved along, even when in 2017 it looked like it was dead for lack of necessary funding.

photo of Joe Spadafino — City Parks & Recreation director Joe Spadafino

Current Parks & Rec director Joe Spadafino thanked all the partners involved in this project and gave special mention to BikeNewark for its advocacy efforts on this project. He went on to laud the great legacy that Charlie Emerson (and JIm Hall before him) had created in terms of development of city parkland and trails.

Then Charlie Emerson stepped up to the podium and shared about his many years of experience as the city’s Parks & Rec director and what an honor it was to have this bridge named after him.

Members of Emerson’s family who were present then joined the officials involved in the project to walk to the northern end of the bridge and cut the ribbon, officially dedicating it as the Charles R. Emerson Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge.

photo of ribbon-cutting — Ribbon-cutting to formally dedicate the Emerson Bridge

The City plans to create two paved trails—to the south through Olan Thomas Park and southwest through Kershaw Park—from the southern foot of the bridge, each creating the key connections to the Pomeroy Trail. BikeNewark will then work with the City to have wayfinding signs placed for its planned Northeast Bikeway—a segment of its Newark Bikeways low-stress network.

> See related Newark Post story

encouragement, events, news

Bike to Work Day returns

After two years with no public celebration of Bike to Work Day in Newark, the event returned to the University of Delaware’s Mentors’ Circle on May 20, 2022. More than 50 participants enjoyed breakfast food and messages from local officials before continuing their bicycle commute to work.

title photo of group of attendees at Bike to Work Day 2022

BikeNewark partnered with the City of Newark, University of Delaware, DelDOT, and the Newark Bike Project to welcome bicycle commuters.

BikeNewark’s Bob McBride acted as emcee for the proceedings, which included messages by local officials (City Manager Tom Coleman, Newark Mayor Stu Markham, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, state Sen. David Sokola, and state Rep. Paul Baumbach), the presentation of this year’s Community Leader Award, and a group photo.

Attendees enjoyed breakfast food, picked up free event T-shirts (courtesy of the Delaware Bicycle Council and DelDOT), and picked up information from event supporters (UD Employee Health & Wellbeing, DelDOT, Delaware Commute Solutions, and BikeNewark).

Bob McBride, BikeNewark chair, presents the 2022 Bicycle Friendly Community Leader Award to former mayor Polly Sierer.

Former Newark mayor Polly Sierer received the 2022 Bicycle Friendly Community Leader Award for her years of encouragement and support of bicycling in Newark. Her work as mayor and later contributions as a private citizen have led directly to the implementation of a signed Newark Bikeways low-stress network, five of a planned eight segments of which have been completed to date.

photo of Bob McBride, County Executive Matt Meyer, and Mayor Stu Markham — Bike Newark chair Bob McBride, County Executive Matt Meyer, and Newark Mayor Stu Markham present a message to encourage commuting by bicycle (click on photo).

After the closing group photo, McBride, Meyer, and Markham joined forces to present a social media message of encouragement.

Next year’s event will be held on Friday, May 19, and will be bigger and better than ever. BikeNewark is hoping that more local businesses and organizations will not only support this event but promote bicycle commuting to their employees as a more healthy, cost-saving, and planet-honoring, and fun method of getting to work.

photo of bicycles at Bike to Work Day event

Photos, courtesy of the University of Delaware, were taken by Kathy Atkinson.

Additional Event Photos

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