Georgetown unveils bicycle and pedestrian plan; residents press for tougher enforcement of risky cyclist behavior

Delaware Department of Transportation and consultant Rossi Group presented the Georgetown Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to the Georgetown Town Council on June 23, 2025, outlining short‑, medium‑ and long‑term recommendations to improve walking and bicycling safety in the town. Residents at the meeting urged the council and police to pursue immediate enforcement and outreach aimed at dangerous bicycling behaviors they say are occurring downtown.

The plan, led by Austin Gray of DelDOT and planners from Rossi Group, documents existing sidewalk gaps, proposes curb extensions, pedestrian refuge islands, raised crosswalks and rapid rectangular flashing beacons (RRFBs), and recommends shared‑use paths and sidewalks in key corridors including Parsons Lane and portions of North Bedford and East Market streets. “This project actually started, maybe a little over 2 and a half years ago,” Austin Gray said, noting DelDOT’s adoption of a “safe system approach” to reduce fatalities and serious injuries.

Why it matters: DelDOT and Rossi Group said the town’s study segments—compiled from field visits and crash data—recorded 490 crashes between November 2021 and November 2024, with 69 crashes at the Circle and no fatalities during that period. Gray also said Delaware has about “44 fatalities on Delaware’s transportation network, year to date,” and that pedestrian safety remains a statewide priority. The report seeks to reduce crashes through engineering, education and funding strategies.

Major recommendations and funding: Rossi Group recommended near‑term solutions such as additional signage and striping, and medium‑ and long‑term construction of sidewalks and shared use paths. Specific project concepts presented to council included curb extensions and RRFBs at multiple North Bedford Street intersections; a raised crosswalk and shared‑use path connection from the Georgetown Lewis Trail to a proposed Parsons Lane trailhead parking area; and potential study of making New Street one‑way between Race Street and North Bedford. The consultants identified capital funding sources including DelDOT’s Capital Transportation Program, the Transportation Alternatives Program, the Community Transportation Fund, the Outdoor Recreation Trails Program, private grants such as AARP, and grant writing assistance through the University of Delaware.

Public reaction and enforcement questions: Several residents who addressed the council said infrastructure alone would not solve the problem of cyclists they described as riding unpredictably, without lights or helmets and sometimes appearing intoxicated. "They're not going to follow those rules," resident Maria Hammond said during public comment, arguing that some cyclists repeatedly dart into traffic. Another speaker, Adam Butchkowski, described finding a discarded bottle of methadone on his property and urged stronger enforcement of laws and occupancy rules. A Georgetown police representative told the council, “We have 2 newly appointed sergeants who are gonna get put in touch with miss Hammond to come up with a comprehensive plan to address this bicycle issue,” and said officers had been monitoring the problem.

Next steps: Rossi Group said the final report and concept sheets will be posted on the project website and that the town will pursue phased work based on available funding. “I'm also going to be putting them on the project website first thing tomorrow morning,” a Rossi Group presenter said. Council members and DelDOT staff noted signage and striping can be implemented quickly while sidewalks and shared‑use paths will need phased funding and design work.

The presentation and public comment left the council with two near‑term tasks: consider enforcement and outreach options in partnership with the police department and seek funding for prioritized capital projects identified in the plan. The consultants and DelDOT indicated they will return to council as funding or grant opportunities are pursued.