Bicycle Friendly Community

Newark, DE | Bronze Level

Community Highlights: Through the perseverance and partnership of the Mayor, City Council, University of Delaware, DelDOT, WILMAPCO, State Parks and the Newark Bicycle Committee, substantial investments have been made on an ongoing basis to improve bicycle facilities in Newark.  Highlights include funds for the Pomeroy Trail ($4.8 million plus City and University right of way contributions) and a $1 million bicycle and pedestrian bridge between downtown Newark and the University's Laird Campus.  With the upcoming completion of the Pomeroy Rail Trail, Newark will be a destination for bicyclists.  The mountain biking organization--Delaware Trailspinners--volunteers time to construct bridges and do trail maintenance. Trailspinners has also raised $40,000 in donations to fund new bridge construction. The Newark Bicycle Committee is working to increase education for University of Delaware students including new students and focusing on students who are not familiar with cycling in the U.S. They are also planning a booth at Newark's Citywide Community Day festival with bicyclist and driver safety materials. Along with numerous recreational rides held in the community, there is a statewide legislative bike ride to Dover each year from the Newark area.