It's Time For the City To Recognize Pedicabs

We hear it over and over, why aren't there more pedicabs in Philadelphia?

Well it's not like entrepreneurs haven't tried. The problem is whenever a business tries to set up, someone in the city's bureaucracy tries to shut them down.

Take the first foray of Philadelphia Pedicabs in 2005. On the first night of business on South Street, Philadelphia Police officers ordered the owner of Philadelphia Pedicab, who was driving one of his pedicabs, to get off the street. Apparently, the police officers were not versed in Title 75 of PA Consolidated Statutes, which states: Every person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle

Denied access to the best revenue location in the city, Philadelphia Pedicabs eventually folded.

Next came Chariots of Philly. They have been operating quietly and successfully in Manayunk for the past few years. The minute they tried to operate a convenient transportation option in the congested Stadium Area for Eagle's games, L&I ordered them to cease operations and impounded one of their bike trailers. A hearing is scheduled in May to uphold the cease operations order. Chariots of Philly have, for now, settled on expanding service in the friendlier confines of Avalon NJ.

Then last year a bill was introduced in City Council that threatened the basic rights of all bicyclists:

AN ORDINANCE Amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by adding certain definitions and by amending Section 12-800, entitled "Bicycle Regulations and Penalties," prohibiting pedalcycles that seat more than two passengers from roadways, all under certain terms and conditions.

The Bicycle Coalition contacted the bills sponsor, Councilman DiCicco. As a result a hearing on the bill was canceled and no further action was taken.

It is time for Philadelphia to allow all modes of transportation, be it by foot, by pedal power, or by carbon fuels.

It is time for Philadelphia to encourage all entrepreneurs, for that too helps all Philadelphians and its visitors.

It is particularly time for Philadelphia to encourage and celebrate "green" initiatives like Pedicabs. We hope the city will quickly do what it needs to, and allow all of us to see and use Pedicabs this spring.

Use The Bike Rack

What can I say, the tune is catchy, The Tarcettes are great but the bike rack users are the best. Check out the tweenager putting his bike on the rack backwards (it still works of course)



Transit Authority of the River City which covers the Metro Area of Louisville Kentucky put out this video of a rappin bike rack enthusiast.

Welcome Beth Mohan Resta!

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia has announced the hiring of Beth Mohan Resta as the BCGP Events Coordinator. Beth comes to use from Whole Foods Market Philadelphia where she currently is the marketing specialist/community liaison .

Beth is a regular bicycle commuter and served on the Advisory Committee for Bike Philly in 2007, She will taking of the role as the chief organizer for Bike Philly 2008. Her first day of work is April 1st and that is no joke.

Tabernacle (NJ) To Discuss "The Bicycler" Problem

Tabernacle Township Committee has a scheduled work session that will address the "problem with the bicyclers in the township". I am not sure what this means, but it doesn't sound good.

If you live or bicycle on regular basis in the township then you should attend the work session scheduled for March 10, 2008 at 7:30 in the town hall located at the intersection of Route 532 and Carranza Rd in Tabernacle.


View Larger Map

Help Us Document Bike Parking In Philadelphia

Our latest member participation project is sending out volunteers to document the state of bike parking at major institutions (museums, stadiums, business districts, parks, power retail etc).

The project has just started but volunteers will be uploading photos onto the Flickr website
http://flickr.com/groups/phillybikeparking/
















We have a 135 square miles to cover. This is a great opportunity to ride somewhere familiar or somewhere different with a purpose, if you would like to volunteer and help send an email to Sarah

City Bike/Ped Plan Request For Proposals (RFP)

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is seeking proposals from consultants for a pedestrian and bicycle plan for the City. Proposals are due March 20, 2008,and must be submitted electronically to the City's contracts website:www.phila.gov/contracts/.

For details go to Econtract Philly - select - new contract opportunites and then look for Opportunity Number:
21080221124851

$3 Gallon Gas Begins To Reduce Driving

For the first time perhaps since the 1979 oil shortage, gas consumption is slightly down.

From the Sunday Boston Globe:
Average daily gasoline consumption in the United States has decreased in each of the past four weeks from a year ago, according to recent data. In the past six months, average daily consumption slipped two-tenths of a percent from a year earlier, after growing 2.5 percent in the previous year.

In the Northeast, gasoline demand has dropped as much as 3 percent, after growing 1 to 2 percent annually in recent years, said Joe Petrowski, chief executive of Gulf Oil LP, a Newton wholesaler and distributor that supplies about 10 percent of the region's gas stations.

So why did it take so long? Apparently since the 70's we are living farther away from our jobs (in places with fewer transportation alternatives) and our disposable income has increased. It is estimated that in the 1970's a 20% increase in gas prices curtailed driving by 6%, in 2008 it's only one percent.

Phillymap.com Combines Transit And Trails On Google Maps

The Bicycle Coalition's official map makers at Steve Spindler Cartography have done it again!

Phillymap.com pairs SEPTA, PATCO and NJ TRANSIT routes along with regional shared use paths on Google Maps. You select the only the routes you want displayed on the map.


While it does not match the trip planner on Google Transit, Phillymap.com does offer you something NJ TRANSIT and SEPTA do not, an online transit map that is easily readable.


One interesting feature is that you can select Farmer's Market Features which enables you to ride or bike to get those fresh fruits and vegetables while minimizing your carbon footprint.

New Contact for Bike Rack Permits

Bill Mautz no longer handles the Bike Rack permits. If you would like a free permit to install a bike rack contact Sean Mckeown sean.mckeown@phila.gov or 215-686-5097

Schuylkill River Trail West Of Oaks Under Construction

From Montgomery County Deputy Chief Operating Officer Steve Nelson:



The County is working on completing the section between the Oaks railroad bridge (over the Perkiomen Creek) and the new Longford Road parking lot. It will hopefully be done by April. From there, there will be local roads with share-the-road signage to the Route 29 bridge.


View Larger Map

The County is currently planning to upgrade the Schuylkill Canal towpath which will be a cinder path going west to the Route 29 Bridge for an offroad route to Phoenixville. That project is currently in the early stages of design.

A vision for the Manayunk Gateway Trails

The Manayunk, Roxborough and East Falls Development Corporations are exploring ways to fill in the missing link in the Schuylkill River Trail.


The Schuylkill Project, a partnership between East Falls and Manayunk is leading design and engineering consultants in improving the trail and road connections. To see the PowerPoint presentation, click here.

You probably recognize the intersection of Main St and Ridge Avenue in the sketch below in front of Duron Paint. The sidewalk and front parking area would be modified to allow for the inclusion of a trail.










More importantly the issue of crossing over Wissahickon Creeek would also be addressed, there are two options:

• Cantelever a pathway on the south side of the Ridge Ave over the Wissahickon Bridge
• Build a new pedestrian bridge over the creek, there are abutments 100 feet south of Ridge Avenue which would save costs.

South Street Bridge Charrette - March 6th and 8th

A charrette to determine the community's vision of a new South Street Bridge will occur on March 6 and March 8 at the Philadelphia School - 2501 Lombard St.

The initial meeting Thursday evening March 6th at 6:30 at TPS. There will then be a visioning workshop on Saturday March 8th starting at 9:00am at TPS.

Despite what you are hearing from the Streets Department it is neither too little or too late to create a great bridge.

Mayor Nutter Includes Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator in 5 Year Plan

From page 82 of the Five-Year Financial and Strategic Plan
for Fiscal Years 2009-2013:

Implement creative pedestrian and bicycle policies:

Walking and bicycling are ideal forms of urban transport. Encouraging Philadelphians to make more trips by bicycle and on foot would provide relief from traffic congestion, contribute to improved public health, lower household transportation costs, create intermodal opportunities to extend the reach of public transportation, clean the air and improve the natural environment by reducing automobile emissions. By leveraging federal funds, the Administration will create a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator position to ensure that the interests of pedestrians and bicyclists in Philadelphia are adequately addressed and to coordinate the development and funding of projects related to non-motorized modes of transportation. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator will report directly to the Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Public Utilities and will work with other City departments involved with transportation, urban planning, sustainability and public health.
--------------------------------
If you follow this blog this is our number one ask, you can't expect a profit when no one is minding the store. Bravo Your Honor.

Pittsburgh Looking to Hire A Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator

The City of Pittsburgh is looking to hire a Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator. They are accepting applications until February 29th, for more information click on the link below.
https://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/employmentcenter/JobDetails.aspx?Postings=1209

It's bad enough that Philadelphia is the only top 10 ten city in the nation without a Bike Ped Coordinator. I didn't even know that San Antonio was a top 10 city, but they have a bike/ped coordinator.

To be beaten to the punch by Pittsburgh really hurts, now is the time for a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for Philadelphia.











Sharrow in Pittsburgh

London To Initiate City Centre Bike Share Program

London mayor announces major cycling scheme
By Jeremy Lovell

LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - London will adopt a bicycle hire scheme similar to a popular initiative in Paris under a $1 billion cycling investment package announced by the mayor on Monday.

Under the plan, part of a series of environmental measures due in coming days, 6,000 bicycles will be available for hire from ranks every 300 metres (600 feet) throughout the city centre.

Full Article

Unlike the Paris Velib plan London's money will come from the Congestion Charge Revenue and the city budget but the city may put ads on the bicycles themselves. The estimated cost for the program is about $150 Million.

NJ Toll Monetization - 3 Million For Bikes...3 Billion For Wider Toll Roads

As reported in January NJDOT Awarded 3 Million Dollars in State Local Aid Bikeway Funds
no doubt a step forward, Pennsylvania has no such state funding mechanism (although DCNR rail trail funds do include some state money).

On the down side is the proposal in the Governor's Asset Monetization plan which allocate 3 Billion Dollars to widen the Garden State Parkway, NJ Turnpike and the Atlantic City Expressway.










Photo on Flickr from Otzberg

Under the plan tolls would go up exponentially to pay off the state debt and fund other highway projects. The plan has generated a mild populist revolt from taxpayers and commuters but has also surprisingly drawn opposition from environmental groups.

In a letter from the Tri State Transportation Campaign and 26 other environmental groups, spending billions to widen roads is not a wise use of funds and will counter NJ's effort to combat global warming:

"Ultimately, the state will find itself even more committed to a system of transport already understood to be woefully inefficient. Moreover, contrary to New Jersey's recent energy policies to reduce climate change, the construction of these roads, as well as the resulting expansion of vehicular traffic of all types, will substantially increase the burning of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions."

As we have stated before road usage fees may be the future of transportation spending. When implemented properly, as in London they can reduce congestion and pollution, while enhancing the infrastructure for bicycling, walking and mass transit. But they could also be used to revive plans for those forgotten Robert Moses era highways that could gather the motoring public's support (i.e. Woodhaven Road, US 202 Doylestown)

BCGP President Joins the LAB Board

Congratulations to Hans van Naerssen BCGP President who was elected to the League of American Bicyclists Board of Directors. Thanks to everyone who supported Hans in his election.

But the big winners this year are members of LAB Reform. As the name suggests LAB Reform's members are critics of the current structure of governance. LAB Reform members also adhere strictly to the teachings of John Forester. Three LAB Reform members: John Allen, PPAC Vice President Bill Hoffman and Bruce Rosar will now serve on the Board of Directors.

Hans is not a member of LAB Reform but his reputation of demanding accountability and transparency earned him an endorsement.

Some of LAB Reforms positions clash idealogically with the big city bicycle advocacy groups that have helped steer LAB's agenda in recent years. Lab Reform's solid minority block should make the upcoming board meetings most interesting.

The Time is NOW for a Bicycle Friendly Philadelphia

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia released its 2008 Agenda for a Bicycle Friendly Philadelphia today, outlining the policy actions that it is requesting Mayor Nutter take to make Philadelphia the nation's most bike friendly city. Philadelphia could easily become a green city by encouraging more people to get out of their cars and use their bikes for short trips and errands. With its 225 miles of bike lanes and racks on nearly every SEPTA bus, Philadelphia has the beginnings of being a bike-friendly city.

In addition to establishing a bike share program,which the Coalition heartily supports, Mayor Nutter must take a number of important steps to make Philadelphia's streets safer for residents and visitors who want to bike for work, shopping or recreation. The highest priority steps Mayor Nutter should take are to:

• Establish a Department of Transportation,
• Create and fill a new position for a full-time Bicycle/PedestrianCoordinator,
• Develop and implement a new City-wide Bicycle Plan,
• Close the gaps in the existing bike lane network with particular attention to creating bike friendly streets that connect the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, and
• Create more bicycle parking on city streets and garages.

Read the full Bicycle Coalition's 2008 Agenda for a Bicycle Friendly Philadelphia

Crossing Delancey - Center CIty West's Secret Scenic Bike Route

Boy this camera mount we bought is great.

Riding this morning going eastbound on Chestnut St from 23rd to Broad and strictly obeying all traffic laws during the AM rush took me 8:21. The Delancey Place route took me 6:32. The only problem is that you have to take a couple of jogs against traffic.



As BCGP Board Member Kyle Gradinger reports:
If you use Cypress between 22nd and 21st and then again between 20th and 19th, you can take the "Delancey" route from 25th to 17th without any wrong-way stretches on the numbered streets.

Wall Street Journal - WSJ - Next Phase of Energy, Climate Debate Will Be About How Much We Drive

Interesting article from a very conservative newspaper.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120190455899936509.html

There is one paragraph in the article that warms the cackles of my heart.

"Deron Lovaas, a transportation researcher with the Natural Resources Defense Council, predicts that the debate over how to curb driving will come to the fore next year, when Congress is scheduled to debate a massive bill to fund transportation projects using federal gasoline tax revenue. The NRDC and other environmental groups, fresh from their victory in the fuel-efficiency debate, are turning their attention to issues such as reforming land use rules to promote denser development and concentrating more public spending on better mass transit systems for metro areas, he says."

Good to hear that the big environmental groups are beginning to focus on transportation. Let's hope it will be enough to resist the push from the "bikes and pedestrians" are pork highway interests.

Yeah The Auto Show's In Town - Aren't Those Reporters Looking Hot

Channel 6's coverage of the Auto Show Black Tie Gala was extraordinary - Putting attractive reporters in cocktail dresses and tuxes. Maybe if we had that kind of coverage for Interbike they would still be meeting here every year.

While there are a few hybrids and the tiny Smart Car on display, it's clear that SUV's and high end sports cars are the main attraction. It seems that Detroit and most of America is still in peak oil- global warming denial.

But TV viewer crushes for Adam Joseph, Erin O'Hearn and supermom Karen Rogers pale in comparison to people declaring love for the cars they lease as seen in this video clip from A&E's Parking Wars.

Bicycle Pusher In Dark Clothing Killed in Mantua

From the Courier Post:

A man (Jagtar Singh) was struck as he pushed a bicycle along Woodbury-Glassboro Road near Lambs Road shortly after 5:30 a.m., officials said. The man was wearing dark clothing.

The motorist, Richard Mack, 49, of Pitman, stopped and called 9-1-1, police said.

Police are still investigating the accident. Anyone with information is asked to call township police at (856) 468-19

Once again the article is quick to blame the victim, while the motorist is practically commended for doing what he is supposed to do.

One oddity, quite often bicyclists struck in the dark are often described as pushing the bike when they are struck.

View Larger Map