DERBY — The North Derby Road is now much safer for cyclists thanks to the persistence of Beth Barnes and the Derby Selectmen’s decision to grant Barnes permission to have it properly marked for bike traffic.
On Thursday morning Barnes and the Derby Public Works crew were out with stencils getting the roadway signs painted. The signs direct bike traffic to and from the Beebe Customs. In total four signs were marked.
The new signs will also warn motorists to the fact that bikes frequently use that stretch of road. There have already been a few cyclists killed in Vermont this year after being struck by cars, and the new signs should make riding much safer in that area.
“Here we are today at 6:30 a.m. scoping out positions for the new road markings that will make it easier and safer to get from downtown Newport, to the border at Beebe Plain,” Barnes posted on Facebook.
The stencils used to mark the road were provided by Barnes, who will be using them soon to mark roads in Newport as well. Barnes has been working to make the area safer for cyclists, as well as encouraging residence to take part in healthy activities such as biking and walking since she moved to Newport from California in 2013.
“Thanks also to Rod Lyons and Roy Lancaster from Derby Public Works for helping to make it happen,” Barnes said.
