Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
false

Following a push from cyclists around the state, Delaware has agreed to stop using "share the road" signs. Beginning immediately, the DOT will use signs that convey less ambiguous messages confirming cyclists' right to the streets.

Bike Delaware has been lobbying the state for this policy change since this summer. In August, in a letter to DelDOT's Chief Traffic Engineer, Bike Delaware's James Wilson wrote:

Many motorists believe that “sharing” means giving up part of something they believe is rightfully theirs while cyclists tend to think of sharing as referring to a commonly owned asset that belongs to them just as much as it does to motorists. This confusion causes motorists and cyclists to trade pointless and time-wasting accusations back and forth.

Bike Delaware's post on the topic set off a barrage of Facebook "likes." In an admirable show of government responsiveness, today Bike Delaware announced that the state DOT has complied with the request:

On Friday, DelDOT’s Chief Traffic Engineer released an official memo to DelDOT staff and contractors:

“…effective immediately, DelDOT is discontinuing the use of the STR ["Share The Road"'] plaque. For projects that have not yet reached the final plan submission, the STR plaque should be deleted from the plans. For projects past the the final plan submission or in construction, the STR plaque does not need to be installed. When bicycle warning signs and STR plaques are being replaced for maintenance purposed…the STR plaque should be omitted...”

It will be interesting to see if Delaware cyclists notice an improvement following the installation of the new signs.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Cincy Map explores the complicated geography of cul-de-sacs. Strong Towns riffs on the superiority of bottom-up "chaotic and smart" innovation, versus the top-down "orderly but dumb" approach. And Streets.mn recounts the history of streetcar development in the Twin Cities from 1880 to 1954.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Metro Pomona A Line Extension is Open

With nine new miles of light rail, four new stations - Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona - the world's longest light rail line now extends 57.6 miles from Pomona through Pasadena and downtown L.A. to Long Beach.

September 19, 2025

Metro Planning Committee Approves $85M for Bike/Ped Project Grants

The Metro Board Planning and Programming Committee approved $85.5 million for 16 grants to cities for walk and bike projects. Most make first/last mile transit connections and serve Olympics mobility.

September 17, 2025

Eyes on the Street: New Florence Avenue Bus Lanes

Just west of the Florence A Line Station, L.A. County has installed bright red bus only lane pavement markings

September 16, 2025
See all posts