Welcome to the web site of the Delaware Bicycle Council. Please take the opportunity to read over our Goals and Objectives so that you have an idea of what we represent and how we link the bicycling public, the government of the state of Delaware and you. Now to let you know who I am….my name is Doug Mills and I am honored to accept the responsibility as the appointed chairman of the Delaware Bicycle Council.

First, let me share with you a little about my background. I have been involved in the sport of Cycling for over 25 years. I spent my teens riding/racing BMX, my twenties riding/racing Mountain Bikes , and Track racing at the Velodrome in Trexlertown, PA., and then in the early 90’s I started Road riding/racing and knew my true passion for the sport had been found. I spent a few years racing with Team Snow Valley. I became a USCF Expert Coach in 1996 and have been fortunate enough over the years to have the opportunity to share my personal philosophy on becoming a better cyclist and person. It has always been of the utmost importance to me to emphasize that integrity and genuine interest in the sport of cycling is the key to success for any cyclist. My zeal for the sport has taught me many lifelong lessons including those learned after being involved in a life-threatening bicycle accident in early ’97. After recovering from my injuries, I was able to return to normalcy in a miraculously short span of time to the amazement of doctors. My survival was the direct result of always wearing a helmet. This major life experience caused me to refocus energies to help educate others to the importance of helmet laws. In 2000, I fulfilled a longtime desire to start a locally based group to ride, train and race with others who share my enthusiasm for the sport. Since that time, I have served as Team Director for Wilmington Velocity. This has also given me the opportunity to promote events including non-competitive Bicycle Safety Rodeos and fund raisers to continue to educate Delaware’s youth about the safe way to ride. For many years, I served as a citizen member of the Bicycle Council and was formally inducted as a member to the Council in 2004 to represent New Castle County. I look forward to the opportunity to undertake the challenges in the coming year.

I believe that it is necessary to broaden the awareness of all Delawareans about their rights and responsibilities when traveling the roads of this great scenic state. It is essential to continue to educate both youth and adults about proper bike riding and road sharing etiquette, the helmet laws and the consequence of non-compliance. We will continue to work diligently with DelDot and Bicycle Council partners by providing guidance and suggestions for improving roads and making the necessary bike friendly provisions for current and future roads of Delaware.

Now the Bicycle Council maintains contact with the public in several ways, one important way is this web site. We publish a newsletter several times a year (contact us if you’d like to be put on the distribution list). We also hold workshops in each County occasionally to encourage public input. Our bi-monthly meetings are also open to the public.

By checking out our website, you’ve taken the first step toward being informed…but you can also get involved. We appreciate straightforward input such as bringing a problem to our attention or even making a recommendation. You also have the option to express your opinion to your State Senator, or to your State Representative or to a State Agency. Another alternative would be to form your own local bicycle advisory committee to work directly in your community towards improving conditions for bicyclists. There is also the opportunity to participate directly in the work of the council by becoming a volunteer with a particular Council project. Or for more continuous involvement, consider joining one of the Council’s committees by contacting the committee chairman or me and indicate your interest.

The highest level of involvement is of course, a membership to the Council itself. By law, we have just 15 seats on the Council, so a vacancy is needed before you could be considered for membership. Applications are kept on file by the Director, Office of Boards and Commissions, Lydia Prigg (739-4101) in the Governor’s Office. Please feel free to contact Lydia at any time to request an application. And if you apply, please send me a copy for my files.

As the chairman of the Bicycle Council and on behalf of the other members, I wish to convey this reminder….that we are here to serve you, and in turn you are invited to serve the council. I believe we all have the ability to undertake any opportunity in life’s path and exceed the expectancy of ourselves and others. I also feel that with personal commitment and the support of family you can accomplish miracles. I am supported by my wife and two children and together we look forward to making Delaware a safer place to ride.

Doug Mills, Chairman