Bike Parking Bill Clears Rules Committee

This morning, City Council’s Rules Committee passed Bill No. 090190 unanimously and referred it to the full Council for a reading tomorrow. A vote is expected on the bill next Thursday.

The Bicycle Coalition extends its thanks to everyone who made this zoning code amendment possible, and for demonstrating support via letters, email, and presence at the meeting. Special thanks to Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for introducing and sheparding the bill and City Planning Commission, Streets Department, Dept. of Licences and Inspections and the Office of Transportation and Utilities staff for developing the bill.

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NewsRelease

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alex Doty, Executive Director
Phone: (215) 242-9253
Mobile: (215) 239-4749 (mobile)
Email: alex@bicyclecoalition.org
Or
Sarah Clark Stuart, Advocate
215-546-1222 (mobile)
scspa@comcast.net

Key Council Committee Passes Green Zoning Code Amendment
New Construction Projects Will Be Required to Install Bicycle Racks

May 13, 2009 Philadelphia, PA - The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia applauds Philadelphia’s City Council Rules Committee for passing an important piece of green legislation that will make the city more sustainable.

"There is a bicycle parking shortage in Philadelphia," said Sarah Clark Stuart, an advocate for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, “and this zoning code amendment will help remedy that shortage by requiring that future buildings and parking lots install adequate numbers of safe and secure bicycle racks.”

"Buildings with well designed and sufficient bicycle parking capacity send an important signal that green modes of transportation are valued and encouraged," says Ms. Stuart. "Additionally, this bill promotes sustainability by providing an incentive to developers to create sheltered bike racks in exchange for reducing the number of required auto parking spaces, thus providing a stormwater benefit."

The bill, introduced by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Councilman James Kenny and Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., was developed by the Nutter Administration’s City Planning Commission, Streets Department, Department of License and Inspections, and the Office of Transportation and Utilities in conjunction with the Bicycle Coalition through the Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan Steering Committee."

In order for Philadelphia to become the greenest city in America, it needs to double the number of people who bike to work" said Alex Doty, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. "An essential step toward reaching that goal is for Philadelphia’s zoning code to ensure the installation of top quality bicycle racks in sufficient numbers. When enacted, this bill guarantees that bike parking will no longer be an afterthought, but a key feature of Philadelphia’s architectural landscape.”