Tag: Bike to Work Day

commuting, encouragement, events, news

2025 Bike to Work Day in Newark

photo of the group of Bike to Work Day attendees
A group of more than 50 registered their attendance at this year’s Bike to Work Day event.
photo of Kristen Cribb
BikeNewark member Kristen Cribb acts as our event emcee this year.

Despite threatening weather on May 16, BikeNewark partnered with the City of Newark, the University of Delaware (UD), DelDOT, Delaware Commute Solutions, and Newark Bike Project to celebrate national Bike to Work Day in Newark.

More than 50 people registered for and 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), commuting and local biking info, great networking, and brief speeches by local and state officials.

photo of Mayor Travis McDermott
Newly-elected Newark Mayor Travis McDermott shares about city progress at his first Bike to Work Day event.

BikeNewark member, Kristen Cribb, acted as the event’s emcee. Introduced first was UD’s Dean of the Graduate College and BikeNewark member Lou Rossi. Rossi is a fanatical bicycle commuter, thus well suited to have spoken at this event. Rossi welcomed everyone on behalf of the host institution.

Having been elected as Newark’s new city mayor less than six weeks earlier, Mayor Travis McDermott, spoke about the many ways the City of Newark has improved conditions for bicyclists over the past few years.

photo of Rep. Cyndie Romer
Delaware State Rep. Cyndie Romer gives a nice analysis of why we should promote bicycling.

Next at the podium was State Rep. Cyndie Romer, who represents a good chunk of the Newark area. She gave a wonderful advertisement for bicycling and, in particular, bicycling in Newark.

photo of Marcus Henry
Keynote speaker New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry address the event attendees.

The event’s keynote speaker was New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry, a UD alumnus who was elected in November to fill the vacancy left by now–Delaware Governor Matt Meyer. Henry talked about the importance of local and county cooperation, particularly with regard to projects that enhance multimodal transportation.

BikeNewark chair Bob McBride then announced and presented the annual Bicycle Friendly Community Leader Award. This year’s recipient was longtime Delaware State Senator Dave Sokola, who represents part of Newark and areas to the city’s northeast. Standing with Rep. Romer, Sokola was surprised to hear his name called to receive this award. No one else was, though, as he has been such an integral player in the advancement of all things related to bicycling within the Delaware legislature and locally here in Newark.

photo of Dave Sokola (with award certificate) and Bob McBride
A surprised Sen. Dave Sokola happily receives this year’s Bicycle Friendly Community Leader Award from BikeNewark chair Bob McBride for his many years of local support for bicycling.

BikeNewark’s Mark Deshon and Kristen Cribb then drew names of lucky attendees at random to win one of ten giveaways, with a combined value of $450. Gift sponsors included BikeNewark, Bike Delaware, University of Delaware, and Wooden Wheels.

Additional Event Photos

photo of DelDOT tent with Lou Rossi and Karl Hassler in foreground
UD-administration representative and BikeNewark member Lou Rossi and BikeNewark Treasurer Karl Hassler enjoy some refreshment in front of the DelDOT tent, manned by John Fiori and Paul Moser.
photo of Dave Sokola and James Wilson
Bike Delaware’s James Wilson (right) engages Sen. Dave Sokola in a transportation chat.
bicycling stories, commuting, events, transportation

How I celebrated National Bike Month: Bike to Work Day and The Commuter Challenge


by Jacquee Lukawski

photo of Jacquee Lukawski

National Bike to Work Day occurs annually on the third Friday in May. BikeNewark, and several of its partner organizations hosted Bike to Work Day in Newark on the morning of May 16. The event featured breakfast food, speakers representing local or state entities, random giveaways to registered attendees, and the Bicycle Friendly Community Leader Award, which was presented to Delaware State Senator Dave Sokola. I was fortunate enough to win free registration to the Amish Country Bike Tour in Dover, Del., for the second year in a row!

On Bike to Work Day, I do not ride my bicycle all the way from North Wilmington to Newark but combine biking with a SEPTA regional rail trip. Someday I hope that there will be sufficient infrastructure to enable me to ride my bike to work, but as of right now, it’s not safe to do so. To accomplish my multimodal commute, I use two bikes—one that I ride to the Claymont SEPTA Station and the other that I keep parked at the Newark Train Station. Both bikes are inexpensive and secured with u-locks. While I have taken my bike on the train before, I don’t find it to be a pleasant experience, so I try to avoid it. Maybe in the future I’ll sell a bike or two and buy a folding bike that would be much easier to transport via the train. 

photo of Jacquee Lukawski biking up Monkey Hill cobbletones
Jacquee Lukawski battling up Monkey Hill (photo by Joe Del Tufo, Moonloop Photography)

Each year for the past three years, I have also participated in the Commuter Challenge division of the Monkey Hill Time Trial, which is the event that kicks off the Wilmington Grand Prix, held each year on Bike to Work Day. This is a three-mile ride through Brandywine Park in Wilmington, ending on a steep climb up the cobblestones of Monkey Hill, adjacent to the Brandywine Zoo. The Commuter Challenge is a fundraising event for Urban Bike Project of Wilmington—the sister organization to Newark Bike Project (one of BikeNewark’s seven partner organizations). It features competitors dressed up in costumes and carrying extra weight on their bikes; it’s truly entertaining and a great time! 

This year, I got caught up in the cobbles and ended up running off the course midway up the hill. I was able to get started again and successfully made it up the hill with the crowd going wild for my outfit—a dress (which I made myself), high-heel wedge shoes, and a straw hat over my helmet. Most people could not believe that I would wear those shoes, and, indeed, most sane people would not do so, but it was my milestone after raising $500 for the cause. My feet are still recovering from blisters several days later, but the memories are worth it!

Editor’s note: Jacquee Lukawski is a University of Delaware Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering staff member and currently BikeNewark’s Secretary.

commuting, encouragement, events, news

2024 Bike to Work Day in Newark

photo of attendees with event banner
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.
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.

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

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.