Trailfest:  A Celebration of Delaware’s Bike Paths and Greenways

According to the League of American Cyclists Delaware ranks as one of the top 10 bike friendly states in the nation. Part of the state’s report card reveals that Delaware is in fifth place out of 50 states with regard to infrastructure and funding.  One of the reasons for this is being celebrated on September 22, 2018 at the Delaware Trailfest.  (To view Delaware’s complete report card go to https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS2017_ReportCard_Delaware.pdf) 

Delaware Trailfest (http://www.trailfestde.com) is a celebration of the completion of Delaware’s newest trail connecting the Wilmington Riverfront and Historic New Castle. This section is part of the 7.9 mile walking/bicycle trail that encompasses the Wilmington Riverfront, DuPont Environmental Education Center/Boardwalk, Jack A. Markell Trail/ Russell W. Peterson Wildlife Refuge/ New Castle Industrial Track, the Heritage Trail through historic New Castle, the New Castle Wharf, and New Castle Battery Park.  The trail includes an elevated boardwalk, paved pathways, the largest pedestrian and bicycling bridge in the state, tunnels, and one on- road section.

There will be two bike rides to benefit Delaware Greenways and Bike Delaware.  One ride is a family trail ride which is a 15.3 miles ride or pick your distance ride with a 9:30 AM start,  and the other ride is a 50 mile challenge ride.  Both depart from the DuPont Environmental Education Center.  The challenge ride starts at 8:00 AM and includes SAG support and a water/rest stop in Historic New Castle and another at the turn around point at the Summit North Marina/Grain Restaurant on the Mike Castle Trail.  You can register for either event at https://www.bikereg.com/trailfest. 

Also included in this celebration are free events from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at the Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge at the Wilmington Riverfront featuring music, a trail sampler bike ride, interactive exhibits, live animals, a nature mobile, canoeing, games, outfitters, craft vendors, food & drink, and more for the whole family to enjoy.   WCBC will even have a table set up in the exhibitor’s area, so please stop by and say ‘Hi’ while you are at the event.

We anticipate members from the City of Wilmington and City of New Castle government to be in attendance, as well as, elected federal and state officials, such as the Governor, members of the Senate and House, and council people.  As an active cycling community we want to show those involved in transportation and planning that cyclists want this, need this, and support this.  If we come out to show our support that may go a long way to garner sponsorship and support of future bikeways and trails.  If you do attend the event, please show your WCBC colors at the event!

Article prepared by Barb Gallagher, WCBC Publicity Chair.