Legislators Invited to "Pedal" Their Way to Work

State Senator David P. Sokola (D-Newark) will be among those pedaling to Legislative Hall this month, as he participates in the 17th Annual Legislatorsâ€™ Bike to Work event. The event is held each year to encourage commuters to consider alternatives to using the car in order to get to and from work. The 56-mile Bike to Work ride will take place on Wednesday, May 10, 2006, rain or shine. Participants will begin the route at 7 a.m. at the Polly Drummond Shopping Center** in New Castle County and conclude at Legislative Hall. There are six stops along the way, allowing bikers to join in at any one of the checkpoints. The route for the ride roughly follows DE Bike Route One and primarily back roads through rural New Castle and Kent Counties. In addition, one lane of the Summit Bridge over the C-and-D Canal will also be cleared of vehicles in order for the bikers to travel the roadway. To ensure all riders are accounted for, Bike Line will provide sag service in which a van will trail the last biker. At the end of the ride, the recreational bike club, Biking Blue Hens, will provide transportation in order to return bicyclists to the location where they began the ride. If you want return transportation, you must make an advance reservation by calling Don Carbaugh with the Delaware Bicycle Council at 302-529-7929 or emailing him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Many riders are also planning to ride their bikes back to the starting point in New Castle County, and participants are encouraged to do that as well because of the limited number of available seats on the return transportation. The Delaware Bicycle Council will be providing T-shirts and snacks to the participants when they arrive at Legislative Hall. Artesian Water Company will be donating bottled water for the riders. Again this year, for the fifth year in a row, a bike group will also be led to Legislative Hall from Sussex County. This 42-mile ride to Dover leaves Milton at 8:00 a.m., starting from the parking lot at Union and Magnolia Streets. Shuttle transportation back to Milton after the ride will also be available for riders and their bikes. However, a head count of riders and bikes is needed in advance of the ride. Call Jay Kirby at 302-856-6913 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information and to confirm that you are going to join the ride from Milton. Representative Roger P. Roy (R-Limestone Hills), who has participated in a number of past Bike to Work rides, said, "Biking is a healthy and pollution-free alternative to driving a car. Even though I will not be able to participate this year, I encourage anyone who has an interest in biking, even if you're a novice, to join the bikers on May 10th." Senator David P. Sokola (D-Newark), an avid biker, said, "I am looking forward to another successful Bike to Work event. As a long-time participant, I enjoy the camaraderie of riding to Legislative Hall with friends and colleagues, and believe it is one of the healthiest things we do each year. I am especially pleased with the increased participation of students in this activity and would encourage all bikers, even those new to the sport, to take part. It is a fun and invigorating way to start your day." To find out the approximate departure times from each intermediate point, the cue sheet for the entire route, and more information on activities planned for May, which is Delaware Bike Month, visit the Delaware Bicycling Councilâ€™s website at http://www.deldot.net/static/bike/index.html. **Please note that this yearâ€™s starting point will again be Polly Drummond Shopping Center.