How safe are the bike lanes at UD?
Much of Delaware Avenue in Newark is now six travel lanes. Two vehicle lanes and a sidewalk on either side have now been joined by two bike lanes. Complete streets is a concept or policy that envisions the street environment as safe, efficient, and convenient for all modes of use, rather than the traditional focus on just motor vehicles. Student feedback has been positive after the university has been previously criticized for unsafe road conditions for not just bicyclists, but also drivers and pedestrians. Newark is a busy place much of the year with lots of traffic, pedestrians, bikers, scooters, etc. In this photo, it shows the bike lane and the two other lanes where cars drive. When you pull out of this parking lot onto E Delaware Avenue, you have to look for cars on your right side and bikers coming from the left side. This can be extremely dangerous if the driver is not paying attention and does not look for bikers coming on the left side.
In September 2023, a freshman at UD was killed while riding his bike on the intersection of South College Avenue and West Delaware Avenue. I think more work still needs to be done in order to have safe conditions for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers.
Grace Sands
