A: Delaware's AABP Program is a partnership between the Department of Transportation and volunteers. We work together to clean up state-owned bike paths. More than just a cleanup campaign, this program works to educate citizens of all ages about the responsibilities of land stewardship and about alternative forms of transportation.
A: You should adopt a bike path to make your state and local community better. By participating in AABP, you can make at least one area of the state cleaner, better looking, and healthier for everyone. Your sign will remind motorists not to litter, and that your group cares about the safety of those who use the bike path.
A: Any local community organization, such as civic, social or school groups, is eligible to participate, as are individuals 18 years or older. Participants must have an approved application on file with the Department of Transportation. Group members under 15 years of age must be supervised by an adult 18 years or older. Individuals under 12 years of age will not be permitted to participate.
A: Participants are asked to commit to the adoption of a bike path for two years. As long as DelDOT has the required three activity reports on file for the previous year, and the group is in good standing, continuous participation is granted.
A: It is best to have a particular bike path in mind when you call DelDOT. DelDOT will confirm if the bike path is indeed state owned and/or maintained and if it is eligible for adoption. If the bike path is not state owned or maintained or is owned by another entity (Dept. Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC), etc.) or is unavailable for some other reason, DelDOT will work with you to provide a suitable bike path as close as possible, refer you to the owning entity or advise participation in DelDOT's Adopt-A-Highway Program (if desired).
A: You decide on the wording for your signs. One sign will be erected midway of the adopted bike path. It will reflect the name of the group, individuals or business that is conducting the cleanups. It can be 28 characters included spaces and punctuation. Logos, symbols or website addresses are not permitted on AABP signs.
A: Pam Bennett in New Castle County can be reached at 326-4468 Arielle Hyler in Kent County can be reached at 760-2413 Carol Calloway in Sussex County can be reached at 853-1308.
A: You may obtain an application on-line at www.deldot.gov (click on Community Programs and Services on the Adopt-A-Bike Path page), complete and return it to the Department of Transportation, AABP Program Coordinator, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903. Or, you can call (in Delaware) 1-800-652-5600 or 302-760-2080, provide your address, and we will mail an application packet to you.
A: There is no fee to participate, however please understand that when you join the program, you are making a commitment. Due to the cost of producing and putting up the sign, we ask that you consider staying in the program for a minimum of two years.
A: Please contact your local AABP district coordinator and inform them when you'd like to do your cleanup. Please provide at least one week's notice, and allow enough time for someone from your group to pick up the necessary supplies (bags, vests, etc).
A: Upon being informed of your scheduled cleanup, DelDOT will supply participants with safety information, plastic trash bags, safety vests and "Crews Working" signs. Rubber gloves are also available upon request. These materials should be picked up by you (or a member of your group) at the DelDOT district maintenance office during working hours one week before the cleanup.
A: Filled trash bags may be left under your AABP sign off of the bike path itself (but not on roadway). The contact person for the group should notify DelDOT on the next business day to let us know that the bag(s) needs to be picked up.
You are welcome to dispose of the trash with your personal trash, but you will not be reimbursed for any personal disposal services. If applicable, participants are encouraged to separate and recycle appropriate materials for their benefit and to further help the environment. However, it is not a requirement of the program. If participants recycle the trash, they are entitled to keep the money for their group or personal benefit.
A: Groups are required to submit three activity reports per year during the course of the Adopt-A-Bike Path participation. One report must be completed after each cleanup and should include information such as the number of participants, hours spent cleaning the path, and the amount of litter collected. Failure to submit the requisite reports can result in dismissal from the program.
A: An activity report form is provided upon application approval with your welcome letter. Activity report forms can also be found online on the Adopt-A-Bike Path page of DelDOT's website. They can also be picked up at our Administration Building in Dover on Route 113 or at any one of our district offices.
A: Activity reports can either be submitted online or printed. They can be submitted in person to any one of the AABP district coordinators at the district office; By mail to the Department of Transportation, Adopt-A-Bike Path Program, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903; By fax to the AABP Program Coordinator at (302) 739-2092.
A: The program was initiated in the early summer of 2004 and was announced to the public in May 2005. It resulted from the need for the Department of Transportation to find a way to keep bike paths free of debris that may impede the safe travel of a bicyclists or pedestrian.
The program is mirrored after the highly successful Adopt-A-Highway Program, which DelDOT has administered for 15 years.
