PATCO Smart Card Conversion Could Create Problems for Bike Passengers

As PATCO is rolling out it's new Freedom Card fare collection system it may anger some bicyclists who will have no legal way to exit certain stations.

New fare gates are being installed one station at a time, starting tomorrow (Thursday Nov. 29th) Broadway Station in Camden will be the first to totally convert to the Freedom Card fare system.

Bicycles are only allowed to use ADA compatible fare gates, currently only 9th Locust and 13th and Locust have ADA fare gates. That means that bicyclists boarding at Broadway will be forced to exit illegally through Non-ADA fare gates at all other PATCO stations including Lindenwold and 8th and Market.

It will be interesting to see how PATCO handles this, ADA fare gates will be installed at all stations by February 2008.

Bicycle Coalition Wins Bicycling Ambassador Contract

Today it was announced that the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia was the successful bidder for the Bicycling Ambassador Program similar to Mayor Daley's Bicycling Ambassadors in Chicago. The BCGP is Partnering with the University City District, Fuji Bikes and Replica Copy Print.

Philadelphia Bicycling Ambassadors will produce and distribute safety publications, give safety presentations, and host urban cycling safety rides from local bike shops and other venues and operate in Center City and University City areas of Philadelphia and along the Schuylkill River Trail in Fairmount Park.

We hope to rollout the program during Bike Month in May 2008.

We Can Use Some HAWK's Around Here

I have never been comfortable with multi-use trail and pedestrian arterial road crossings that do not provide protection for bicyclists and pedestrians. Even the flashing yellow signals do not seem to slow down speeding motorists.

The Tucson AZ DOT came up with a very innovative pedestrian crossing signal called the High-intensity Activated crossWalK or HAWK.



The unit is normally off until activated by a pedestrian or bicyclists. When a pedestrian wishes to cross the street, they press a button and the signal begins with a FLASHING YELLOW indication to warn the approaching drivers, just like a school bus signal. The FLASHING YELLOW is then followed by a SOLID YELLOW indication, advising the drivers to prepare to stop. The signal is then changed to a SOLID RED indication at which time the pedestrian is shown a WALK indication. The beacon signal then converts to an ALTERNATING FLASHING RED, allowing the drivers to proceed when safe, after stopping at the crosswalk.

Taking Back the Streets For Bike Parking

Center City Philadelphia's sidewalks have an awful lot of uses, anyone who has walked on Chestnut or Walnut Streets during lunch hour knows of the competition between pedestrians, sidewalk cafes, street furniture (such as bike racks) and even illegally parked cars.

So places like Portland, Montreal and New York City have reclaimed little pieces of the street, converting car parking spaces to bicycle parking. Here is Greg Raismen from Portland DOT talking about on-street bike parking to Streetfilms.org





The Portland configuration was 26 bikes parking spaces for 1.5 parking spaces. That translates to 16 to 18 bikes per parking space area.

While the battle to remove even one space of on-street parking on a block will no doubt incur opposition from some business owners, other businesses should be able to see the positive impact. After all trading the convenience of one customer for 18 others (and countless pedestrians) doesn't sound like a net loss. Good parking and delivery management practices will ensure that those who insist on driving will find a place to park their vehicle while offering the carrot of more convenient bike parking.

But do you always have to take away legal parking? The Borders book store at the corner of Broad and Chestnut always seems to have a dozen+ bikes parked on racks, signs and street trees.

There is a hashed no parking space in front of the store that could easily fit several hitch-2 bike racks as the illegally parked minivan in the second photo demonstrates.

Upper Providence Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Presentation

UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP
Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan Public Presentation

YOU'RE INVITED

WHAT:
A public meeting to present the draft of Township-wide Pedestrian and Bicycle plan.
WHEN:
Thursday, November 29 2007 - 7 to 9 PM
WHERE:
Rose Tree Fire Company
1275 N. Providence Road
Media, PA 19063

For More Information Contact
Anthony T. Hamaday, Township Manager
610-565-4944 or thamaday@upperprovidence.org

West bank Schuylkill River Trail Workdays Fri-Sat-Su

From: Harry Olson [harryo01@comcast.net]

I will be working on Friday, Sat, Sunday on trail section out of West Conshohocken on Bliss St [River Rd, 1/2 mile down from Four Falls Corporate Center - 300 bldg. 10 am-3 pm]

We are now down at end of wall on Old River Rd. Last saturday I started the last 500 feet, so that now we can clear, rake, smooth the natural surface path (with some broken pavement) to it make bikeable for the whole 12,000 ft to Waverly Rd.

Campbell Thomas facilitated a work shop in Lower Merion last Tuesday night and a lot of River Road residents showed up to oppose. Lot of people utilizing the words "hiking trail. Need coalition members, residents of Lower Merion to support.

OPIS: NJ Wins - Alabama Loses the Fuel Cost War

The just released Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) Pain at the Pump study compares current gas prices, estimated vehicles miles traveled as reported by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and estimated median income as published by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Wilcox County, Alabama residents spend the highest proportion of their income on gas, an average household there spent 12.7% of income to fuel a single family vehicle. A number of Kentucky and Mississippi counties were also high on the list averaging more the 11% of the household income.

In contrast New Jersey held a near monopoly on the counties with the lowest fuel cost burden, Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset counties spending less than 2% of their income on fueling one vehicle. The combination of near zero gasoline taxes and high NY area incomes continue to offer immunity from the rising gasoline prices.

Lower Merion Bike Committee December Meetings

Lower Merion Bike Committee

1. Reminder - new location for LM Bike Committee meeting Thursday, Dec. 6, at 7 pm - Spring House, next to Bryn Mawr Community Center, which is next to Ludington Library at 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr - it's the little white building next to the playground - join us!

2. Recon Ride: Sunday, Dec. 9, 1:30 PM, (inclement weather date: Sunday, Dec. 16, 1:30 PM), meet at Township Building Look at proposed bike routes between villages of Bryn Mawr and Gladwyne, and also, route from Montgomery Ave./Old Gulph, past Penn Wynne & Welsh Valley Schools & Beth Am Israel & Har Zion, along Hagy's Ford Road. More routes if time allows. If you have a wheel or tape, bring it along Dec. 9 - measure the width of roads at certain points, so we can discuss how to plot improvements - striped lines, separate paths, etc.

3. For our recommendations to Board of Commissioners re: bike and pedestrian issues, please look at the overhead flashing lites/sign over the crosswalk on Rt. 30 in Ardmore (near Phila. Sport Club), and then - the lack of same at crosswalk in front of Bryn Mawr Film Institute. Let's decide if what's good for the goose is good for the gander. In other words, should there be the same protection for pedestrians crossing to get to and from the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and other Bryn Mawr locations, as in Ardmore, and should the township be requested to install the same safety lights.

4. Our book club selection: James Howard Kunstler's The Geography of Nowhere.

5. Please forward this post to friends who might be interested

That's it for now - please try to make the meeting Dec. 6, and especially the ride Dec. 9.

For more info contact Lower Merion Bike Committee Chair David Broida - dbroida@comcast.net

Next Philadelphia Cycling Committee Meeting

The next Philadelphia Cycling Committee meeting will be in the Sky Room (4th Floor) at the Free Library on Tuesday November 20th at 6:30 PM.

Subjects will include an update on the January bike share forum and discussion on the Bus and Taxi safety awareness campaign.

Skippack Trail Video

I don't know why I spent so much time making this 16 minute video but here it is. The bike ride was from the Perkiomen Creek Bridge south of Graterford Prison to the NW edge of Evansburg State Park on Thompson Rd.



The trail as I said in the earlier post is paved, the trail is shared with horses between the Horse Farm (which is under the power lines) to the Perkiomen Trail. The road crossings are unmarked for drivers although there are signs for trail users and emergency vehicles.

Skippack Village, the other part of this trail is a wonderful destination and is another enhancement of the Montgomery County Trail network. Imagine starting in Chestnut Hill, through Manayunk to Valley Forge NP then to Audubon Sanctuary and finally Skippack Village.

Press Fawns Over "Cannonball Run" Outlaws

Reporters for CNN and NPR went gaga over the driver that reportedly broke the New York to Los Angeles driving record of 31 hours averaging 91 miles per hour , the exact speed that NJ Governor Jon Corzine's driver was traveling when he crashed and seriously injured the Governor on the Garden State Parkway.

I hate to spoil the fun but Burt Reynolds and Sally Field were only acting in a movie on a closed course, In 31 hours and 4 minutes it took to travel the country 152 people died in motor vehicle crashes. I wonder if they would have received a hero's welcome if they inadvertently killed a family in pursuit of a speed record.

I hope that some public official out there condemns this lawless act. in fact since much of the trip on video why not press speeding and reckless driving charges on these guys.



On behalf of the 42,000 Americans killed every year, I challenge CNN and NPR to interview a a real american hero, Tom Everson of the Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 campaign.

Nutter Questionnaire Revisted

Here are the responses of Mayor Elect Nutter to our questionnaire sent out before the Democratic Primary.

Would you support the creation of a Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator to shape transportation policy?

Yes. Federal CMAQ funds can defray 80 percent of the cost of the Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator position. Within the framework of a re-established City Department of Transportation, this coordinator would work with other City agencies, such as Fairmount Park, Recreation, Health, Planning, and Streets to make bicycling in Philadelphia easier and safer.

Would you support the creation of a Department of Transportation?

Yes. Without a Department of Transportation, there is no consolidated public authority to envision and coordinate the multi-user, multi-modal aspects of the transportation network. Each part of the network must be understood as having major impacts on all the others. With a Department of Transportation, the City can pursue all available state and federal funding opportunities and close the unattended gaps in our network.

Would you support the creation and implementation of a new citywide bicycle/pedestrian plan that positions Philadelphia as the most bicycle-friendly city on the East Coast?

Philadelphia should capitalize on the fact that the City hosts the nation’s longest one-day cycling event – The Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling-Philadelphia International Championship. A new Department of Transportation will be well-positioned to articulate and implement goals such as this one.

Would you support free and clear bike lanes that connect the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers and close the gaps between bike lanes in all neighborhoods?

This idea would represent a major improvement in our bicycle network and link our two emerging recreational waterfronts. There is substantial federal funding for such initiatives. One advantage of a new Department of Transportation will be to foster such planning efforts and prioritize implementation across modes, users, and comprehensive goals.

Would you support increased enforcement of traffic laws through?

• The installation of 100 red light cameras - Yes
• A bike-based parking enforcement patrol - Yes
• A street-based education program to discourage bicyclists riding on the sidewalks – Yes

Red-light-running is epidemic in Philadelphia, endangering walkers, cyclists, and drivers. The early returns on traffic cameras are very positive, and we should consider their use in high-density, high-danger intersections in Center City and elsewhere.

Would you support the installation of 1,000 bike racks in each City Council district?

Yes. Installing bike racks encourages residents to keep their cars at home and thus reduces congestion, parking, and air quality concerns.

Would you support the completion of the Schuylkill River Trail extension to Fort Mifflin?

I support the completion of the Schuylkill River Trail extension which would create another unique experience for residents and tourists alike. Philadelphia should complete its segment of the East Coast Greenway and link together such recreational jewels as the Waterworks, Bartram’s Gardens, and the Heinz Wildlife Refuge.

Would you support all-day closures off Martin Luther King Drive to through traffic, while continuing to allow auto access to the upper drive parking areas?

Yes, I support a re-established Saturday and Sunday closure from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. of Martin Luther King Drive so our residents and non-residents can enjoy the recreational amenities of this beautiful six mile corridor without being vulnerable to the traffic concerns that led to the tragic death last year.

Lower Merion Meetings this Week

Tuesday, November 13, 6-8 PM, at the Township Building: Public presentation on the possible Schuylkill River West Trail.

Thursday, November 15, 7 PM: Our Lower Merion Bike Committee meets (new location) at the Spring House, the small white building next to Ludington Library, between the Community Center at 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave. and the playground/tennis courts. Join us! We'll hear from our Nov. 4 Recon Ride folks, plan our next Recon Ride, discuss some specific improvements that will be suggested (a bike path/trail on Morris Road, etc.). The meetings will be short - no longer than an hour or so - and your attendance is vital to our success.

Skippack Trail Connects the Perkiomen Trail with Evansburg State Park

View Larger Map

The Skippack Trail is now open (I didn't even know that there was a Skippack Trail project). It's paved and it connects the Perkiomen Trail with Evansburg State Park (following a utility cut) with a spur to Skippack Village. The Perkiomen Trail connection is at the bridge just south of Graterford Road. There is also a webpage with photos of the path network on the Township website. Thanks Skippack Township.

If there is one sour note it's the fact the the Evansburg State Park Youth Hostel closed in June 2006 because of a lack of funds to bring it up to modern building codes. What a great overnight trip from Philadelphia that would have been. Maybe with the new bike access and exposure Hostelling International might be able to raise the funds to open it up once again.

Schuylkill RIver Park Connector Bridge Public Evaluation Goes Online

Take The Evaluation Survey here

Images of the three alignment options and an online evaluation form have been posted on our new Connector Bridge page here . Online comments received on the three options being considered for the "Connector Bridge" between Schuylkill River Park Trail at Schuylkill Banks (south of the Locust Street crossing) and the Schuylkill River Park (25th and Spruce Streets) will be collected and considered with the comments received at the November 4th meeting.

You can also send in comments directly by sending an email to SRPBridge@HNTB.com or post your comment on our blog here.

For more info go to Reaching the Hidden River & Blog.

Bike the Vote!

Novermber 6 Elections are coming up. Now is our chance to ask YOUR candidates if they support implementing bicycling improvements, safe routes to school and complete streets.

The way I look for a candidates position is

1. Use the voter guides listed below
2. Link of Google to find the candidates website-search for issue papers
   
3. If you cannot find your answer there then look for contact information, it's best to call at this late date.

In NJ there are General Assembly, County and Local Elections
In PA there are County and Local Elections
Philadelphia has the Mayor and City Council Elections

You can get a rough idea about local candidates in the Philadelphia Inquirer Voter Guide which usually includes an answer to a generic question presented to the candidates (usually taxes or open space).

Committee of Seventy offers a very comprehensive voter guide for the city of Philadelphia.
The committee is also looking for bicycling volunteers on election day
Please contact Jonathan David (jdavid@seventy.org) or at (215) 557-3600 ext.110

The Next Mayor Website provides extensive coverage of the Mayoral and City Council Races.

League of Women Voters:
Pennsylvania Local Guide
NJ Local Guide
Project Vote Smart
Hallwatch

Mayoral Candidate Website
www.nutter2007.com/
Mayoral2007.com

And remember to make your own statement by bicycling to the Polls.

What's Your Walk Score?

Walkscore is Google Maps Mashup that rates locations for their walkability (which does provide some relevance to a communities bikeability). Type in an address and walkscore will look for desintations within walking distance of that location. So if you are moving to a new location look into walkscore to find your new home.