Philadelphia Bike Advocates Push for Protected Lanes Amid Security Considerations
Philadelphia’s Spruce and Pine streets have lengthy been a key hall for bike commuters, with greater than 50,000 journeys recorded in a single month. Different cities, the principle biking corridors could be protected with thick concrete curbs or not less than bollards. Not right here. In Philly, these 50,000 cyclists put their lives in danger every day using in a motorbike lane with none safety in any respect. Individuals are getting harm. Individuals are dying. Now, a rising coalition of motorcycle advocates is demanding concrete limitations to forestall additional lack of life.
A Historical past of Hazard
Initially redesigned in 2009 to accommodate a painted bike lane, the Spruce and Pine hall has struggled with fixed automobile encroachment. Supply drivers, journey share autos, and residents often use the lanes as makeshift parking areas, creating hazardous circumstances for cyclists. Anybody who has commuted in any metropolis in North America is aware of the drill all too effectively.
The implications have been lethal.
Duncan Adkins of Philly Bike Motion instructed Momentum that two folks have been killed utilizing the bike lanes. In 2017, Emily Fredricks was killed by a turning driver who didn’t see her within the bike lane. Extra lately, in 2023, Dr. Barbara Friedes misplaced her life when a driver, touring at over 50 mph, used the bike lane to bypass visitors and struck her from behind.
“These deaths have been preventable,” stated Adkins. “Town has dragged its toes on offering actual safety, and we’re achieved ready.”
Blocked bike lane in Philadelphia
Group Response and Opposition
Within the wake of Dr. Friedes’ dying, bike advocates ramped up strain on metropolis officers. A petition demanding concrete limitations garnered greater than 6,000 signatures and was hand-delivered to the mayor’s workplace following a protest journey. Whereas preliminary reactions from metropolis officers have been tepid, Mayor Cherelle Parker later joined advocates for a journey and verbally dedicated to bettering bike security.
Town has since handed a “No Stopping within the Bike Lane” invoice, eliminating the earlier 20-minute grace interval that allowed autos to linger in bike lanes. Enforcement of this measure is anticipated to start within the spring.
Not everybody helps these modifications. An opposition group calling itself “Buddies of Pine and Spruce” (FoPS) emerged in October, distributing flyers and voicing issues at a group assembly hosted by the Workplace of Transportation & Infrastructure Techniques (OTIS). Their objections vary from fears of decreased parking availability to skepticism over the effectiveness of bodily limitations.
Political Local weather in Philadelphia and the Way forward for Biking Infrastructure
Bike lane growth in Philadelphia has been hampered by a 2012 regulation requiring Metropolis Council approval for brand new lanes. Whereas this has slowed progress, it additionally signifies that present lanes are much less prone to sudden removing, as has been seen in cities like Toronto.
Not too long ago, three new bike lanes have been proposed and are awaiting council approval. Philly Bike Motion believes the town should transfer sooner and is asking for $5 million to be allotted towards Imaginative and prescient Zero initiatives within the upcoming municipal finances.
“Town has made progress, however it’s not almost sufficient,” Adkins stated. “We want actual funding in protected infrastructure to make sure that no extra lives are misplaced on our streets.”
With metropolis of Philadelphia officers now partaking with advocates and a working group established to supervise security enhancements, the destiny of Spruce and Pine’s bike lanes—and Philadelphia’s broader dedication to biking security—stays at a vital juncture.
