Cycling Infrastructure Innovation Grant
About the Grant
Since 2015, the Delaware Bicycle Council has awarded small Bikeway Innovation Grants to communities all over Delaware to fund project ideas designed to make family-friendly bicycle network improvements that will enable more people to safely get where they want to go using a bicycle.
We use the "12-year old test" to shape our grant decisions. Do the parents of a typical 12-year old feel comfortable allowing their child to bicycle to school? To the library? To get some ice cream downtown with their friends? To go to their friends' homes in other nearby neighborhoods? Or are most 12-year-olds (and adults!) trapped in an isolated "island" of a few blocks around their homes, unable to reach these sorts of everyday destinations because they don't want to cycle on or across roads where they feel uncomfortable or unsafe?
Proposals for improving cycling can range from the simple to the grand. We will consider requests for assistance in advancing new projects, such as but not limited to pathways, protected bike lanes and bicycle streets. We will support project ideas that expand existing cycling infrastructure; fill "gaps"; and address obstacles and safety hazards.
Projects may be proposed in areas where the local jurisdiction (applicant) has control of the necessary right-of-way either through ownership or agreement. Projects may also be proposed that involve DelDOT-owned right-of-way where the jurisdiction lacks such authority. In that latter case, however, DelDOT will provide input on the application during the grant process and that input will influence whether the grant is awarded. The local jurisdiction is expected to maintain the facility once constructed.
We encourage you to think big when making an application. We want to fund ambitious projects with potentially significant impacts on bikeability in your community.
The Delaware Bicycle Council invites you to apply for assistance to help realize a cycling improvement project in your community by filling out the grant application./p>
The cycling infrastructure innovation grant is only open to state municipalities and the three County Offices. Private entities who have an idea for cycling improvement and/or infrastructure should contact their local government on potentially applying for the grant.
ALL SUBMISSIONS SHALL REQUIRE A COPY OF THE ESTIMATE OR SCOPE OF SERVICE REPORT TO VERIFY THE AMOUNT REQUESTED.
A letter agreement MUST be signed before awarded funds can be disbursed.
Applicant shall verify they are listed as a vendor in DelDOT's system.
Applicant shall be responsible for managing the grant and provide updates to the Delaware Bicycle Council.
Grant funds MUST be transferred to the applicant in the fiscal year in which they are awarded, where the end of the state's fiscal year will be June 30th.
Description: On behalf of the Delaware Bicycle Council, cycling infrastructure grant funds have been made available. The goals of the Cycling Infrastructure Innovation Grant are to help communities become more bicycle-friendly for all age groups and to create opportunities for cycling as a transportation alternative, in addition to enhancing recreational opportunities. The Cycling Infrastructure Innovation Grant Working Group reviews and prioritizes the applications and grants are awarded by a vote of the full council.
While each project is unique, it is the intention of the Council that the preferred use of grants is for feasibility studies or conceptual design and preliminary engineering of improvements, with a focus on major project considerations such as determining alignments, understanding and researching right of way or easement requirements, summarizing design criteria, identifying stakeholders, summarizing project barriers and solutions, and determining what permits or agency approvals may be needed. Each project deliverable should include a budget estimate and recommended next steps to advance the project.
Amount: The estimated total budget available for this grant program is $50,000. The Council anticipates funding one to two projects, depending on the scope and scale of the proposed projects.
Eligibility: All municipalities and the three County Offices within the state of Delaware are eligible to apply. Grant requests must demonstrate the need for cycling improvements and/or infrastructure that will be a benefit and supported by those in the community.
The 2026 Cycling Infrastructure Innovation Grant will open in May 2026.
Cycling Infrastructure Grant Award History
City of Newark
Award: $15,000.00
Scope of Work
Construction funding for contraflow bike lanes along McKees Lane, which is a City-maintained Street.
Status
Applicant coordinating with DelDOT to have the funds transferred as of March 2026.
Sussex County
Award: $35,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for constructing a crossing of the Georgetown to Lewes Trail at US 9 and Cool Spring Road.
Status
Applicant coordinating with DelDOT to have the funds transferred as of March 2026.
Clayton Rail-Trail, Town of Clayton
Award: $9,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for the Clayton Rail-Trail, Phase 1 along Pride Moore Park
Status
Feasibility completed. Town is moving forward with design and construction with anticipation being completed by July 2026.
City of New Castle
Award: $21,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for the New Castle-Delaware River Trail
Status
Feasibility study completed. The City is looking for funding sources to keep the project moving forward.
Townsend Village Shared Use Path, City of Townsend
Award: $30,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for the Townsend Village bike path
Status
Feasibility study ongoing but the Town had unforeseen delays, which impacted the original timeline. The Town requested and was approved an extension until May 2026.
Foulkstone Pathway, New Castle County
Award: $10,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for upgrades to the Foulkstone Pathway
Status
Feasibility study completed in August 2023. New Castle County has not moved forward in the next phase as they are looking for funding sources for design/construction.
City of Seaford
Award: $21,500.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for SR20/Bridgeville Highway/North Front Street intersection bicycle facilities improvements
Status
Feasibility study completed in April 2024. Seaford City Council not in support of project. Any movement would require participation and funding from DelDOT, since it is a state-maintained road.
Town of Georgetown
Award: $17,500.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for a shared-use path from South Railroad to Park Avenue
Status
Feasibility study ongoing.
Chrysler Avenue Bicycle Facilities , City of Newark
Award: $12,500.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for Chrysler Avenue bicycle facilities improvements
Status
Feasibility study ongoing.
Jack A. Markell Trail Extension, City of New Castle
Award: $15,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for the extension of the Jack A. Markell Trail
Status
School Lane shared-use path constructed and opened in 2023
Wyoming Road Bicycle Facilities, City of Newark
Award: $12,500.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for the Wyoming Road bicycle facilities improvements
Status
Feasibility study completed in June 2022. There were two alternatives, where the estimate for Alternative A was $1.2-million and Alternative B was $2.5-million. City of Newark looking for possible funding sources for design/construction to include but not limited to Transportation Alternatives Program, Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Program and coordinate with DelDOT on recommendations identified in the 2020 HEP report.
Middletown Bicycle Facilities, Town of Middletown
Award: $17,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for bicycle facilities throughout the Town of Middletown
Status
Feasibility study completed in August 2020. The SR299 roadway improvements installed a 10' shared-use path; rest of bicycle facilities will be on local Town streets.
Newport Connector Shared Use Path, Town of Newport
Award: $20,000.00
Scope of Work
Grant used with other funding sources for the Newport Connector feasibility study
Project in design with New Castle County. In June 2023 NCC was awarded a $23-million RAISE grant for construction. Final design anticipated being completed in 2025 with construction beginning in 2026.
School Lane Shared Use Path, City of New Castle
Award: $8,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for School Lane shared-use path
School Lane shared-use path constructed and opened in 2023
Augustine Cut-Off Shared Use Path, City of Wilmington
Award: $17,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study of Augustine Cut-Off shared-use path
Status
Project currently in design within DelDOT Planning (ATCC).
Milton Trail Pathway Extension, Town of Milton
Award: $8,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for extension of Milton Trail
Status
Milton Trail extension constructed and opened in 2020.
Duck Creek Parkway Shared Use Path, Town of Smyrna
Award: $12,000.00
Scope of Work
Feasibility study for Duck Creek Parkway shared-use path
Status
Feasibility study completed. Project has not moved forward in the next phase as the Town was looking for funding sources for design/construction.
Bridgeville Shared-Use Path, Town of Bridgeville
Award: $10,000.00
Scope of Work
Design of shared-use path from Heritage Shores to the Little League
Status
Heritage Shores shared-use path opened in 2017
