Safety & awareness program at beach
Natallia Papkova rides her bike 20 minutes to work every day, crossing six lanes of traffic on Del. 1 near Rehoboth Beach. State law requires bicycles have headlights for night riding. Papkova says she holds a flashlight while she rides after dark.
Papkova, 20, of Russia is one of many seasonal workers who travel from Europe each summer to work along the Delaware beaches. Her bike is one of 10 chained to the front of the Safeway grocery store in Rehoboth Beach -- two have the required night lights including one with a flashlight taped to the frame.
Many of the cyclists are unaware of some laws governing cyclists and choose not to wear helmets, and many motorists never see the cyclists. A combination that can be dangerous.
Anton Stratinskiy, 21, of Russia was injured Monday by a turning vehicle on Del. 1. The driver was faulted for the accident.
State police Cpl. Jeff Oldham said Stratinskiy, who was scraped and bruised, did not have a helmet. It was the first serious bicycle accident of the summer at the beach. Another accident occurred in April when a cyclist struck a vehicle along Del. 1 near Lewes.
The bicycle lane Stratinskiy was traveling in also is used as a bus lane and turn lane for traffic entering and exiting the highway.
Beebe Medical Center in Lewes treated 15 people last year involved in serious bicycle accidents, said Jennifer Whaley, trauma coordinator at Beebe Medical Center. The number of bicycle injuries have decreased each year since 2003 when local businesses and other groups began raising awareness about safety.
Carol Everhart, director of the Rehoboth-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, is coordinating the awareness program this year. State police, the Delaware Department of Transportation and realty company Ocean Atlantic are providing free helmets, lights and safety pamphlets.
State law requires bikes to have rear reflectors, a headlight after dark and to obey all traffic signs and lights that apply to motorists, Oldham said. Helmets are mandated only for bikers younger than 16.
Cyclists traveling against traffic is only one problem, Oldham said.
Elizabeth Famigliette, a manager at Bike to Go, sells bikes and equipment to many of the visiting workers.
She said many of the bikers travel against traffic because of a shortage of crosswalks. Cars that U-turn create a hazard for cyclists. Many cross before their destination and travel against traffic, or attempt to cross between lights.
Anthony Aglio, bicycle and pedestrian coordinator at DelDOT, said unlike local residents, many of the tourists in the area don't realize they are sharing the roads.
"The more awareness we can bring to motorists and the more education we can bring to cyclists -- that will go a long way," Aglio said.
Traffic problems
John Buchheit, a manager at Crabby Dick's Marketplace and Grill in Rehoboth, employs European workers for the summer. He said everyone visiting the beaches, motorists and cyclists, should be made aware of traffic problems in the area.
He also suggested that safety information be included in the Alcoholic Beverage Control course restaurant servers are required to take.
Ocean Atlantic began distributing free helmets in 2003 after a foreign worker was hit by a car and died, Kent Hannaman, an Ocean Atlantic employee said. They will hand out more than 3,000 helmets this year.
Helmets not being worn
Victoria Prokudina, 19, of Russia, rides her bike from Dewey Beach to her job at India Imports and Jewelry Exclusives on Rehoboth Avenue, a 20-minute ride. Prokudina has a flashlight taped to her handle bars and a thin reflector hanging from the rear.
Serge Alekhin, 18, of Russia, works with Prokudina, and said when they came to Delaware to work many people told them to wear helmets. But they don't wear them because they don't see any other bikers wearing them.
Papkova also said she does not wear one in her trek across Del. 1 because no one else in the area does.
source: www.delawareonline.com
