October 01, 2009

Markell to Hit the Road This Weekend for Fourth Annual Tour de Delaware Bike Ride

Yearly trek will team up with MS Society's Bike to the Bay this year

DOVER – Gov. Jack Markell announced the schedule for his fourth annual Tour de Delaware bike trek Thursday, which will take him and two dozen fellow cyclists the length of the state and will support efforts to fight multiple sclerosis.

“I look forward to this ride every year because it helps me connect with Delaware's people and Delaware's environment,” Markell said. “We are fortunate to live in a beautiful state, and the scenery is stunning at eye level. Riding the length of the state reminds us how important it is that we work hard to create jobs and grow the economy to ensure our state's future prosperity.”

The ride will begin at 9:30 a.m. when the Governor and other riders depart the University of Delaware's Trabant Center at the intersection of South College Avenue and Main Street in Newark. After stops in Delaware City, Odessa and Smyrna, the day's ride will end at Woodburn in Dover around 3:30 p.m.

The next day, the Governor will join the Delaware Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Bike to the Bay fundraiser. The Governor and fellow riders will depart from Delaware Technical & Community College's Terry Campus in Dover and arrive at the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk later that afternoon. Bike to the Bay raises funds to help the MS Society's efforts to support cutting-edge research and assist Delawareans suffering from the disease.

"Delaware is fortunate to have many wonderful nonprofit organizations like the MS Society," Markell said. "I am delighted to be teaming with the MS Society this year to raise awareness for the wonderful work the group does."

Carolann Wicks, secretary of Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), said that the governor’s annual ride highlights that the state is becoming more bicycle friendly.

“The team at DelDOT is designing a transportation system that is making Delaware more bicycle friendly,” said DelDOT Secretary Carolann Wick. “For example, we’re building many roads with wider, safer shoulders for cyclists. We are also following the Complete Streets executive order, which says that whenever we design a new road or improve an existing route, we either add facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, or there must be a good reason why we cannot. Our efforts have already borne fruit.  This year Delaware was moved from #31 to #9 in bicycle-friendly states by the League of American Bicyclists.”

Friday Itinerary (please note times are approximate):

9:30 a.m.: Riders depart Trabant University Center, University of Delaware (Intersection of South College Avenue (RT 896) and Main Street, Newark.

11 a.m.:  Delaware City Town Hall, 407 Clinton St., Delaware City.

Noon: Odessa Memorial Park (intersection of Route 13 & Route 299), Odessa.

2 p.m.: Aquatic Resources Education Center, 4876 Hay Point Landing Road (RT 9), Smyrna.

3:30 p.m.: Woodburn: The Governor's House, 151 King's Hwy., Dover.