A day-long celebration showcased the “Open Streets to Safe Streets” initiative with Baynard Blvd as the deserved centerpiece. The festivities included music, giveaways, music and various free activities—including a bike ride on the newly reconfigured Baynard Blvd.
Eleven riders, including WCBC members recruited as ride leaders, navigated the 7-mile loop starting at Warner Elementary School, following the Brandywine River and climbing up Augustine Cutoff to the Delaware Greenway. The group finished via Miller Rd/Broom St to Baynard Blvd, which was closed to cars for the October “Open Streets Wilmington” celebration.
“We saw first-hand the interim safety improvements to Baynard Blvd have been a huge success, reducing extreme speeding (50+mph) by a factor of 10,” said Carol Ireland, who was a Baynard Blvd ride leader for the day.
“It’s so exciting that the project team has secured funding to make these improvements permanent with a two-way cycle track and an extension of the improvements down Washington Street to downtown,” added Carol.
This “Open Streets to Safe Streets” initiative is a partnership of Open Streets Wilmington, Urban Bike Project, Jefferson Street Center, University of Delaware Living Labs and Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and the result of a 3-year long community-driven process.