Bicycle City Delaware
By Bicycle City Staff, Updated Fri, 06/13/2008 - 17:46
Table of Contents
Introduction
Potential Delaware Bicycle City Locations
Alternative Energy Organizations & Companies in Delaware
Delaware Animal & Wildlife Groups
Delaware Business Organizations and Resources
Delaware Education Organizations & Resources
Delaware International Groups
Delaware State Government
Other Delaware Useful Links
Conclusion
Delaware possesses a number of factors crucial to development of a potential Bicycle City Delaware. For one, the First State boasts a positive economic environment, competitive tax rates for business and a high quality of life for its citizens. Delaware’s cost of living is similar to the national average and lower than most cities in the urban northeast. The average home price is below the national average and comparable to prices in surrounding metro areas.
The climate and landscape would be accommodating to those living and working in a potential Bicycle City, Del., development. Warm, humid summers and mild winters are the norm. Rainfall is fairly even all year with averages in most areas around 41 inches annually. The area south of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal is a flat coastal plain. North of the canal provides a more urban environment as well as river valleys.
These factors alone would make the state an ideal location for a possible Bicycle City, DE. But the state also boasts public transportation such as rail and ferry, and an overall non-motorized commuting-friendly environment, which is fostered by the efforts of multiple advocacy groups and state, city and county governmental bodies. For instance, New Castle County has launched a Greenway Master Plan to prioritize greenway corridors in the county, in tune with the ideals of future Delaware Bicycle City development.
Ideal sites for Bicycle City, DE would appear to be within 50-100 miles of these cities.
Dover, DE
- Population: 32,808
- Average Annual Rainfall: 46.4 inches
- Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 44, Feb. – 47, Mar. – 55, Apr. – 65, May – 75, Jun. – 83, Jul. – 87, Aug. – 86, Sep. – 80, Oct. – 69, Nov. – 59, Dec. – 48
- Water: Delaware Bay, Atlantic Ocean, St. Jones River
- Adjacent Public Land: Little Creek Wildlife Area, Ted Harvey Conservation Area, Woodland Beach Wildlife Area, Blackbird State Forest
- Zip Codes: 19901, 19902, 19904, 19906, 19934, 19943, 19962, 19903, 19946, 19979
- Other Highlights: Dover is the state capital, and Delaware State University is located nearby.
Wilmington, DE
- Population: 72,051
- Average Annual Rainfall: 42.9 inches
- Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 39, Feb. – 43, Mar. – 52, Apr. – 63, May – 73, Jun. – 81, Jul. – 86, Aug. – 84, Sep. – 77, Oct. – 66, Nov. – 55, Dec. – 44
- Water: Delaware Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Delaware River, Chesapeake & Delaware Canal
- Adjacent Public Land: Canal Wildlife Area, Augustine Wildlife Area, White Clay Creek State Park, Fort Delaware State Park
- Zip Codes: 19801, 19802, 19803, 19804, 19805, 19806, 19807, 19808, 19809, 19810
- Other Highlights: Wilmington's attractions include Riverfront Wilmington and Fort Christina.
Milford, DE
- Population: 6,732
- Average Annual Rainfall: 45.4 inches
- Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 43, Feb. – 49, Mar. – 54, Apr. – 64, May – 73, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 87, Aug. – 85, Sep. – 78, Oct. – 68, Nov. – 58, December 48
- Water: Delaware Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Mispillion River
- Adjacent Public Land: Milford Neck Wildlife Area, Murderkill River Nature Preserve, N.G. Wilder Wildlife Area
- Zip Codes: 19904, 19963, 19933, 19952, 19960, 19941, 19950
- Other Highlights: Milford is home to the Mispillion Riverwalk and Greenway.
Georgetown, DE
- Population: 4,634
- Average Annual Rainfall: 45.4 inches
- Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 44, Feb. – 46, Mar. – 54, Apr. – 64, May – 73, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 87, Aug. – 85, Sep. – 79, Oct. – 68, Nov. – 58, Dec. – 48
- Water: Delaware Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Gravelly River, Broadkill River
- Adjacent Public Land: Ellendale State Forest, Redden State Forest
- Zip Codes: 19933, 19956, 19973, 19940, 19939, 19968
- Other Highlights: The coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail runs through nearby Redden State Forest.
Laurel, DE
- Population: 3,821
- Average Annual Rainfall: 45.4 inches
- Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 44, Feb. – 46, Mar. – 54, Apr. – 64, May – 73; Jun. – 82, Jul. – 87, Aug. – 85, Sep. – 79, Oct. – 68, Nov. – 58, Dec. – 48
- Water: Delaware Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Nanticoke River, Broad River
- Adjacent Public Land: Nanticoke Wildlife Area, Trap Pond State Park, Barnes Woods Nature Preserve, Cypress Swamp
- Zip Codes: 19931, 19945, 19933, 19947, 19966
- Other Highlights: The Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy obtained protection for 190 acres in nearby Seaford and a system of nature trails is in place there.
Lewes, DE
- Population: 2,932
- Average Annual Rainfall: 46 inches
- Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 45, Feb. – 47, Mar. – 46, Apr. – 65, May – 74, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 86, Aug. – 85, Sep. – 79, Oct. – 69, Nov. – 59, Dec. – 50
- Water: Delaware Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Red Mill Pond, Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay
- Adjacent Public Land: Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Henlopen State Park, Assawoman Wildlife Area
- Zip Codes: 19958, 19947, 19963, 19969, 19951, 19966, 19970, 19930
- Other Highlights: Lewes Greenway and Trail Committee protects open space and pathways that link parks, natural areas, and historic sites throughout the town.
Potential Location Source List
- Cecil Bird Club
- Delaware Action for Animals
- Delmarva Ornithological Society
- The Nature Conservancy in Delaware
- Teaming With Wildlife in Delaware
- Visit Delaware
- Delaware Economic Development Office
- Delaware Manufacturing Partnership Association
- Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Small Business Alliance
- Delaware Innovation Fund
- Delaware Chinese American Association
- Dover German American Club
- Finnish-American Society of the Delaware Valley
- Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia
- International Student Association of Wesley College
- State of Delaware
- Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
- Delaware Department of State
- Delaware Division of the Arts
Building a Bicycle City in Delaware would offer prospective residents the state’s high quality of life and affordable housing. Overwhelming support for alternative modes of transportation, along with the mild winter climates, creates a strong potential for Bicycle City, DE. The prospective goals of Bicycle City, Del. would only enhance the already-health-conscious style of this state and its residents.
What about you?
- If Bicycle City, Delaware is to be built, would you and your friends or colleagues want to live there?
- Where would you choose to locate Bicycle City, DE?
- What benefits would the overall community realize from having a Bicycle City in their midst?
- When considering any city or town to live and work in, what things are the most important to you and your family?
- How would you change certain aspects of the community you currently live in?
- What would you do to make sure a new Bicycle City, Del. lives up to it’s full potential?
- Have you any other ideas for improving the overall Bicycle City concept?
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