Ride of Silence 5/16/2007

Sussex Cyclists General Meeting 1-29-2005

• Date: 29 January 2005
• Place: St. Edmunds Church
• Attendees:Charles Moore, Ulla Moore, Setphanie Sandrock, Maureen Thomas, Norm Macturk, Chip Reese, Michael Tyler, Anthony Aglio, Pam Cannon, Mike Brown, Martha Withers, Larry Wonderlin, Ron Marshall, Jay Kirby, Newell Taylor, Jack Boettger, Brian Price, Sally Boswell, Tony Pezone, Dave Houk, Joe Juknelis, Fran Cardaci
• Treasurer's Report: - Mike Brown - We had 48 paid members at year end, and $296.68 in the bank. We have T-shirts with long sleeves and short sleeves for $10 each, and riding jerseys for $40. Contact Mike Brown to purchase one.
• Seasonal Worker Safety Program: Tony discussed details for this year's safety program. Sponsors include DELDOT, DE State Police, and Ocean Atlantic. Beebe Hospital will donate $1,000 for helmets. Ocean Atlantic will give away 50% more helmets than last year. Will target advertising better and working with CIEE to reach the foreign workers. There will be 3 sessions - morning, early afternoon, and late afternoon, all on the same day, Monday June 20, at Ocean Atlantic on Rehoboth Ave at State Rd. (The old Seahorse restaurant.) The safety sessions will be in conjunction with the bike rodeo. The committee will submit a press release to local Chambers of Commerce and local newspapers.

  We need volunteers to solicit contributions for helmet donations. Tony will have a letter to give to potential donors. We will also ask for vouchers i.e., McDonalds. State Police will hand out vouchers for a free item to reward good bicycle habits.

• Advocacy: Larry Wonderlin, Mike Tyler, Jim Ippolito and Tony Pezone, Larry submitted material to the Cape Gazette for a column on bike safety, but it was mistakenly printed as a letter to the editor. They will work to get the column set up as a weekly column. The committee has prepared topics with a thumbnail description for each one. The articles still need to be written. They need another meeting with the Gazette to discuss this.

  The committee will help members contemplating new bike purchases to select equipment that best meets their needs, abilities, and wallets.

• Membership:
Fran Cardacci and Mike Brown are putting together information packets that discuss what we do, describe the organized rides, advocacy, discounts, website, links, meetings and social activities, cue sheets, where our monies go, and that we have a voice at Deldot.

Mike Tyler suggested a newsletter/flyer to help disseminate information to the general public, and to profile the rides/riders. Fran will take this on. Mike will help. We took a moment to go around the room and introduce ourselves.

• Ride Committee: Norm Macturk announced that we still have rides on Mon, Wed, and Sat mornings at 9am leaving from behind Rehoboth Mall, weather permitting. As the weather gets warmer, they will gradually leave earlier in the morning. Call Ron Marshall to let him know that you are riding. Evening Rides - Monday & Wednesday evening rides will begin after Daylight savings time starts - Sun 3 April. We will organize more "all club rides" for all levels on the weekends, 2x month.
• DELDOT: Anthony Aglio from DELDOT, also a club member - was our guest speaker. He talked about some of the work DelDot is doing to embrace bicycle/pedestrian safety. Roads are planned based on 9-1/2 trips a day for a single family house. They are reviewing Deldot projects to accommodate bikes and pedestrians, and will upgrade shoulders at that time. Road surface deterioration is monitored, and roads are ranked for ride ability, considering factors such as traffic, ingress, egress, parking, etc. There is a state wide bike plan - especially for commuters to/from work, some recreational input.
  Rt. 1 issues: Wrong way riding signs will go in the next 60 days along Rt.1. It was suggested that they issue a press release about this. Rt. 1 to be re-signed this year. Working on final shoulder design now, but there are money issues.

  It was noted that several roads have been upgraded from tar and chip to hot mix, but no shoulders. Also that Rehoboth Avenue storm sewer grates are angled, not safe for cyclists. They should be perpendicular to the road. What is the policy re upgrades? Dairy Farm Rd and Sweetbriar: Sweetbriar has shoulders. Banks Rd was tar/chip, planned for shoulders, but no shoulders now.

  Lewes Rehoboth Trail - breakwater Junction Trail. Various agencies have slowed the process. Will be at least a year away before decisions reached to complete the trail.

  Legislative ride - can we get a list of bicycle advocates?

  Members can forward suggestions for road improvements regarding cycling to Anthony.

• Miscellaneous: Sally Boswell, club member with the Center for Inland Bays - had bike maps for sale - $5.00, created with Del. Bicycle Alliance.
• Shore Velocity - bike club in Seaford - Brian O'Hara is contact.
• Tripsite.com - for info on European bike trips.
• Ultra marathon cycling association - runs a century ride every month
• Maureen Thomas announced the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce ride is April 16, with 20, 35, & 50 mile routes. Martha Withers will coordinate club signups.
• Discussion re becoming a 501(c)7 or 501(c)3 charitable organizations.
To get donations for safety program, would be easier if we were a 501 (c) 3 corporation - makes it tax deductible to our donors. Charter is set up to do this. No reporting requirements if we have income under $25,000. It was unanimous to pursue this change.
• Term Limits - Ron recommended that we NOT have term limits at this time. Moved, seconded and approved.
• Elections: Existing officers were nominated, and re-elected by acclamation
• Pres - Tony Pezone
• VP - Norm Macturk
• Secy - Martha Withers
• Treas - Mike Brown