Bicycling Included in Philadelphia Greenworks Plan

Improving bicycling in Philadelphia is a key component of Greenworks Philadelphia. A sustainability plan includes more than 150 initiatives to help create jobs and reduce the city’s environmental footprint with the ambitious goal of making Philadelphia America's greenest city by 2015.

Left to Right - White House Special Advisor for Green Jobs Van Jones, SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey, Mayor Michael Nutter and BCGP's Sarah Clark Stuart observing the SEPTA Bus Bike Rack on the Hybrid Bus after the Sustainability Presentation at the Franklin Institute.

Four out of the fifteen Greenwork targets have initiatives that will improve bicycling in Philadelphia.

Target #5 -- Reduce Greenhouse Gasses by 20%. Because 1/4 of Philly's greenhouse gases (GHGs) are from transportation, measures taken to reduce GHG from the transportation sector will help to make bicycling safer and better.

Target #6 -- Improve Air Quality Attainment. The Streets Department will set aside 200 linear feet for on-street bicycle parking (p. 31)

Target #9 -- Provide Park and Recreational Resources within 10 minutes of residents. This target requires the development of 500 acres of new park land within 7 years and trails and paths count! So, new multi-use trails, such as new segments of the Schuylkill River Trail, will help achieve this target. (p. 41)

Target #12 -- Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by 10%. As we have blogged about in the past VMT reduction is often overlooked or seen as a heavy lift and thus reduces the role of bicycles as a solution for clean air and climate change. Greenworks recommends many bike/ped initiatives to help achieve this goal, including: the Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan; East-West Bicycle Corridors; More off-road bike trails (Complete the Trail!); Bike Sharing; More bike racks, bike parking stations; Design and Implement Complete Streets; Increase Traffic Calming (p. 57-60).

Greenworks reinforces much of the advocacy being conducted by the Bicycle Coalition, Bike Share Philadelphia and Schuylkill River Park Alliance to secure better city and regional bicycle policies, to get more people bicycling and to Complete the Trail.

View the full sized document at Greenworksphila.org

Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway Hours Extended to 9PM

Beginning tomorrow May 1 the hours of the Ben Franklin Bridge North Walkway will be extended from 6AM to 9PM. The extra hour will be in effect until October 1 when the 8PM closing time will be restored.

Thanks to the Delaware River Port Authority for adding more than 150 hours of walkway access between Camden and Philadelphia this year. And thanks to our Ben Franklin Bridge Access committee who continue to work with DRPA to make sure that the concerns of bridge walkway users are heard.

Inquirer - Bike Race Is On!

Posted on Thu, Apr. 30, 2009
City's professional bike race is on
By Christopher K. Hepp

Inquirer Staff Writer

The race is on.

After 10 days of uncertainty, organizers of the TD Bank Philadelphia Cycling Championship announced yesterday that they had secured two new sponsors needed to assure the event's 25th running.

They declined to identify the sponsors, but they said they would cover about half of the $500,000 budget gap that had put the professional cycling race in jeopardy.

"We will name the sponsors at a news conference next week," Dave Chauner, cofounder of the race, said. "But we wanted to let everyone know now that the race was on so plans that have to be made can proceed."

Read the Full Article Here

Street Films - Portland Bike Rush Hour on the Hawthorne Bridge

Who knows maybe Streetfilms will come to Philly to see a similar scene on the South Street Bridge in 2011.

Text of Governor Markell's Complete Streets Executive Order

STATE OF DELAWARE
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Executive Order Number Six

April 24, 2009

TO: HEADS OF ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
RE: CREATING A COMPLETE STREETS POLICY

WHEREAS, walking is the most fundamental mode of physical transportation; and

WHEREAS, bicycling promotes healthier lifestyles; and

WHEREAS, walking and bicycling are simple fitness activities that can prevent disease, improve physical health and assist in fostering mental well-being; and

WHEREAS, by walking and bicycling you help to reduce greenhouse gas emission by reducing the time you spend in your car; and

WHEREAS, my administration, along with the Delaware Department of Transportation, promotes the walkability and bicycle friendliness of communities through principles such as context sensitive design, mobility-friendly design, mixed-use and infill developments; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Department of Transportation has developed user friendly design standards for pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Department of Transportation has the opportunity to create and improve transportation facilities for all users by implementing these principles and standards through its projects; and

WHEREAS, the Advisory Council on Pedestrian Awareness and Walkability and the Delaware Bicycle Council serve as advisors to the Delaware Department of Transportation; and

WHEREAS, a Complete Streets Policy means deliberately planning, designing, building, and maintaining streets for all modes of transportation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JACK A. MARKELL, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby declare and order the following:

1. The Delaware Department of Transportation (“DelDOT”) shall enhance its multi-modal initiative by creating a Complete Streets Policy that will promote safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and bus riders of all ages to be able to safely move along and across the streets of Delaware;

2. The Delaware Bicycle Council, the Advisory Council on Pedestrian Awareness and Walkability, and the Elderly & Disabled Transit Advisory Council shall assist DelDOT with this endeavor;

3. A Complete Streets Policy should:

1. Solidify DelDOT’s objective of creating a comprehensive, integrated, connected transportation network that allows users to choose between different modes of transportation;

2. Establish that any time DelDOT builds or maintains a roadway or bridge, the agency must whenever possible accommodate other methods of transportation.

3. Focus not just on individual roads, but changing the decision-making and design process so that all users are considered in planning, designing, building, operating and maintaining all roadways;

4. Recognize that all streets are different and user needs should be balanced in order to ensure that the solution will enhance the community;

5. Apply to both new and retrofit projects, including planning, design, maintenance, and operations for the entire right-of-way;

6. Ensure that any exemption to the Complete Streets Policy is specific and documented with supporting data that indicates the basis for the decision;

7. Direct the use of the latest and best design standards as they apply to bicycle, pedestrian, transit and highway facilities;

4. DelDOT, with the assistance of the advisory councils, shall create the Policy and deliver it the Governor for consideration no later than September 30, 2009.

Last Updated: Monday, 27-Apr-2009 09:18:34 EDT
Source: http://governor.delaware.gov/orders/exec_order_6.shtml

Hope for Bike Race Continues

Pro Cycling Tour Officials have extended the deadline for a decision on the Philadelphia race one more day as negotiations continue with a new potential sponsor. KYW reports that the organizers are still about 400,000 dollars short of the needed funds.

Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby Happy Hour

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: The Barbary
Street: 951 Frankford Ave
City/Town: Philadelphia, PA

Stop by the Barbary and meet other Kinetic Sculpture Derby nerds and find out how to get involved with this year's derby. Learn the rules, route and find a team, even register. Bring your friends, co-workers, family, neighbor's etc... 21+ Free, cash bar.

Photo of the Week - Shop By Bridge

A man hauls a shopping cart up the Camden steps of the BF Bridge.

Delaware Governor Issues Complete Streets Directive At State Bike Summit

With 280 attendees and an all star list of speakers the Delaware Bike Summit held at the DelTech Terry Campus in Dover was an overwhelming success. Speakers included Governor Jack Markell, Bicycle and Pedestrian Guru Michael Ronkin, LAB Executive Director Andy Clarke, Delaware Senator Tom Carper and Congressman Mike Castle. (Delaware Online Report)

The big news is that Gov. Markell announced an executive order creating a complete streets policy for the State of Delaware. Also Congressman Castle gave a presentation on the C&D Canal recreation path that included an anouncement that final design for the multi-use path will be complete in May and that construction could begin as early as the end of the year.

Many thanks to the Executive team of Bike Delaware, Jennifer Baldwin at DelDOT and Amy Wilburn of the Delaware Bicycle Council for pulling off a great event, everyone is already talking about next year. Bravo.

Bicycle Coalition Annual Meeting, Sunday

The annual meeting is open to all members.

Join us at International House at 37th and Chestnut in University City for our annual meeting. The first 100 pre-registrants will be treated to our traditional lasagna dinner.

Visit: http://09bcgpannualmeeting.eventbrite.com/

to pre-register by noon on Saturday, April 25.

Be informed, hear Charles Carmalt, Philadelphia's new Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator speak on:
"Connecting the Rivers"

Bike Officer Run Down By Hit and Run ATV

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - Police are looking for a man who ran over a Philadelphia police officer with a dirt bike.

The 34-year-old policeman has a broken wrist but was released from a hospital within hours of being injured Thursday evening.

Police say two bicycle officers saw the dirt bike going the wrong way on a one-way street. They pursued the man but he turned his dirt bike around and gunned the engine, running over one of the officers before fleeing the scene.

Illegal ATV's are a big problem in Philadelphia, not only on city streets but also on our urban paved trails. The Cobbs Creek and Tookany Creek trails see a substantial amount of ATV traffic. Bicyclists, people walking their dogs and families walking with small children are all vulnerable to these motorized terrorists. Unless a concerted crackdown takes place an ATV fatality is only a matter of time.

Planning Commission Approves Bike Parking Ordinance

Although many bicycle commuters are frustrated by the lack of secure bike parking, there is hope that future buildings built in Philadelphia will better accomodate bicycles.

Phildelphia is considering a new zoning code provision that will require new "uses" to install bicycle parking as part of obtaining a building permit. Philadelphia's proposed bicycle parking zoning code amendment was approved unaminously by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission on Tuesday, April 21st. It will be heard by City Council's Rules Committee on May 13th at 10 am. If you want to testify at the hearing, please send an email to Jason.lewis@phila.gov with your name, title and affiliation.

The bill was introduced in March 2009 by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Councilman Jim Kenny and Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. Read more about the bill in the Bicycle Coalition's factsheet . The legislation was developed by the Nutter Administration and the Bicycle Coalition through the Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan Steering Committee. Other cities who have this kind of zoning are Washington DC, Chicago, Illinois and Portland Oregon. Yesterday, New York City enacted similar legislation.

This legislation was also prompted by a Bicycle Coalition report issued in May 2008 on Philadelhia's bike parking shortage called "Bicycle Parking: the Key to a Green Philadelphia".

Fishtown Shadfest - Valet Bike Parking

Thank you to the Fishtown Shadfest for providing complementary valet bike parking for their event this Saturday! As Penn Treaty Park has a limited amount of parking stalls to begin with, the event planners for the Shadfest took a different approach; they have found a way to accommodate more bicycles. In addition to the valet bike parking, there will be 2 bike rides along the proposed East Coast Greenway path, of course ending at the festival.

Check out more details on the events taking place at the Shadfest at their website.

REI Now Accepting Bicycle Commuter Vouchers

REI is the first area retail store to sign on for the Commuter Check bicycle vouchers.

The inability to collect parking or transit benefits and the limited number of accepting bike shops will probably discourage employers and bike commuters from signing up in droves for now. Still $20 is $20 and Congressman Blumenauer is seeking to make the bicycle commuter benefit compatible with its companion programs.

The NY Times Blog talks about the program:
Biking Has Its (Tax) Benefits. Or Does It

Hit and Run Underscores Need for Updated Bike/Ped Plan

Last night's community meeting in Center City was very well attended. If you missed it and want to attend, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission has two more meetings scheduled for the public to weigh in on how to make the city's streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Coincidentally, the next two meetings are in Northwest and North Philadelphia, the site of yesterday's hit and run in the Olney neighborhood. A 6 year-old first grader was critically injured by a woman driver while on her cell phone. The youngster was crossing the street near Godfrey Avenue and Franklin Street to get to an ice cream truck. She's now at CHOP with a head injury and broken leg.

Please note, unlike the CBS3 headline of the article in the link, this was no ACCIDENT! It was a CRASH. The woman crashed her car into a little girl and drove away.

Bike/Ped Plan May Community Meetings

Monday May 18th 6:30pm-8:30pm
North Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church
SE Corner of 16th and Oxford Streets

Wednesday, May 20th 6:30pm-8:30pm
William Penn Charter School Cafeteria
3000 W. Schoolhouse Lane

Unfortunately, the May 20th meeting is the same night as the RIDE OF SILENCE, a free ride that starts at the Art Museum steps at 6:45 pm for a seven-mile, police-escorted ride through Center City. The ride asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. The ride aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured.

We (the Bike Coalition) really regret this scheduling conflict, as there will be cyclists who would like to both, but our requests to try and get the Northwest public meeting rescheduled to another date were not successful.

Bike to Earth Day

Earth Day and Bike To Work Day are only one month apart. So close but not quite joined together as one. It's kind of like the disconnect between the bicycling and environmenal movements. My favorite phrase is "If every household in the United States replaced one regular lightbulb with one of those new compact fluorescent bulbs, the pollution reduction would be equivalent to removing one million cars from the road."

Excuse me, What about taking one million cars off the road?

Perhaps we need to rephrase the calculation--If every household in the United States took one car off the road the pollution reduction would be equivalent to replacing 16 billion incandescent light bulbs.

PBIC Image Library         Photo-Dan Burden

Let's give a shout out to a couple of Earth Day events that make the direct connection between environment and transportation:

Netcong NJ - Earth Day Walk to School Day

Indianapolis IN - Bike to Earth Day

Center City Bike Plan Meeting Tonight

Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan Public Meeting -- Center City

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Municipal Services Building Rooms X, Y, and Z, 16th floor
1401 JFK Boulevard
Philadelphia, Pa

Bike Race Faces Cancellation

Today's Inquirer reports that the TD Bank Philadelphia Cycling Championship is in danger of cancellation.

"Race organizers (Threshold Sports LLC) say they face a $500,000 budget gap, partly because the economic downturn has led to fewer sponsors. The cash-strapped city is also charging organizers for clean-up and policing costs this year.

They have given themselves until Monday to find funding or they will cancel the event, set for June 7 ."

If you want to take action to save the Philadelphia International Championship go to the Pro Cycling Tour Embrace the Race campaign web page.

This would be the 25th Year of the race, the first winner in 1985 was former Olympic Gold Medal Speed Skater Eric Heiden, 21 Year Old Lance Armstrong won the race as an up and comer in 1993 and George Hincapie took the competition in 1998. The event was the US Pro Championship race until 2005.

PA Bike Summit - 15 Days and Counting

Mark your calendars for May 5th to join PA Walks and Bikes and the Bicycle Access Council for a Bike Ride and Press Event at the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg. The event will include a 3 mile bike ride to the Capitol, a reading of Bike Month Legislative Resolutions and Governors Proclamation and we will be meeting our state representatives to support Safe Passing Legislation. SB776 which is the companion bill to HB1110

We also have a new website so you can register (for free) online - http://pawalksbikes.org/

Congressman Jim Gerlach and Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. Visit Cynwyd Trail

Congressman Gerlach Visit to Cynwyd Trail (31)
Originally uploaded by Philly Bike Coalition

On Thursday, April 17, 2009, Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-PA-6) and Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-Phila, 4th District) visited the Cynwyd Trail together. Joined by Lower Merion Township Commissioners, they walked the trail over the Manayunk Bridge.

They discussed the prospects of funding this trail to link Manayunk and Lower Merion back together again. It was a very positive outing and all involved in the effort to Complete the Schuylkill River Trail are very pleased and appreciative of the Congressman and Councilman for coming out to make this visit.

Philadelphia's Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan Meetings Underway

South Philadelphia Mtg 4_16_09 (5)
Originally uploaded by Philly Bike Coalition

Last night, at the Fels Community Center on South Broad Street, the first of four public meetings were held to discuss how to improve Philadelphia's streets and sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 21 from 6:30-8:30pm at Municipal Services Building Rooms (1400 JFK Boulevard) Conference Room X, Y, and Z on the 16th floor.

Please come to a meeting, or fill out the online questionnaire, or both!

Additionally meetings in North Philadelphia and Northwest Philadelphia are being planned for May.

Lend your voice in support of riverfront planning

On Tuesday, April 21, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission will hold a public meeting at 1pm to consider accepting the Civic Vision for the Central Delaware as the framework for future planning and a "do no harm" interim zoning overlay. This overlay, drafted by Councilman Frank DiCicco, will establish fundamental planning elements, such as leaving the riverfront open for a greenway.

Why is this overlay important to bicyclists? Because it will set a precedent for ensuring the possibility of developing a connected greenway along the entire Delaware and Schuylkill Riverfronts. It will open portions of the river to residents for the first time, while improving the economic vitality of the area and the entire city as a result of increased neighborhood and riverfront attractiveness.

PennFuture is asking those who support having a citywide greenway along the two riverfronts to send a message to the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Send an email to the Commission letting them know you support A Civic Vision for the Central Delaware and that you want to see our city reach its full potential.

Complete the Schuylkill River Trail Campaign Deadline

There is still time for you to help complete the Schuylkill River Trail and have your contribution matched -- if you give before April 15. Join me and over 240 other bicyclists who have given to our campaign so far!

You pay every time you drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike or cross the Ben Franklin Bridge. You pay every time you board a SEPTA train or bus. If you paid a $2.50 toll every time you rode on the Schuylkill River Trail, how much would that add up to?

Are you willing to make a "trail toll" gift of $35, $50 or $120 to help us complete the trail? Make your gift before April 15 and it will be matched by Fuji Bicycles -- one dollar for every two you give!

It is time for Philadelphia to fill the gaps in the Schuylkill River Trail. It is time that the premiere trail in our region not require you to know secret map coordinates in order to get in and out of the city. It is time to fix what's broken in Manayunk and extend the trail down to Bartram's Garden and beyond. It is time that federal transportation funds be used to complete the region's first green transportation corridor.

Under the leadership of the Bicycle Coalition's trail advocate Sarah Clark Stuart, the Bicycle Coalition has been instrumental in gathering a coalition of trail and community groups who want to complete the Schuylkill River Trail. We have met with a dozen city and state officials and other community partners.

In February, 320 people came out to a forum to learn about nine trail projects that, when completed, will connect and extend the trail.

We have begun the advocacy that will complete the trail. Last month in DC we took another important step towards securing the $22 million needed to complete construction of the Schuylkill River Trail. But it is going to take many more months of work, many more meetings with officials and partners, and more research to find local funds to supply the required match of federal dollars.

For Sarah to continue her work to complete the Schuylkill River Trail, to build the needed coalition of community groups and individual supporters like you, we need to raise $25,000 before April 15. We have a foundation grant to pay many of the campaign expenses but we need support from you to put us over the top.

Please make a "trail toll" gift today!

Alex Doty
Executive Director,
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Matching Your Gift
Make your gift before April 15 and your gift will be matched.

Last month, a generous donor offered to match the first $5,000 given to the campaign. With over 200 donations, we have gone over that $5,000 match.

Inspired by our members' zeal, Advanced Sports, Inc. (parent of Fuji and Breezer) has offered to match your donation with $1 for every $2 you give. Fuji understands the importance of completing the Delaware Valley's first green transportation corridor and is challenging you to make as generous a gift as you can.

If you make a $120 gift, Fuji will add $60 (up to a total of $5,000). But you must make your gift before April 15.

Bicycle Helmet Helmet Cam Witnesses Crash

On Thursday BCGP Ben Franklin Bridge Access Chair Matt Anastasi was struck by a car crossing an intersection in Fairmount. His helmet cam documented the crash and you can see the shadow of the striking vehicle moving moments before Anastasi hits the ground.


CRASH! from Matthew Anastasi on Vimeo.

Fortunately Matt was not seriously hurt although his bike predictably received some serious damage.

To the best of our knowledge at this time, the driver whom Anastasi alleges had failed to yield and has not been ticketed. We sincerely hope that the Philadelphia PD (9th District) will investigate this crash with due diligence and assign fault fairly.

The BCGP website offers information information about what to do in the event of a crash.
http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/report#Crash

It is very important if it is at all possible to call the Police and report the crash. In other words, if you are not seriously hurt, don't walk away.

If you are in a crash with a car, do not leave the scene without:

• the tag number of the car
• the names and phone numbers of any witnesses
• driver name and contact information
• police officer name and badge number

Member Benefit

Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) is hosting their bi-annual Club Day weekend. On April 17th & 18th you can visit your local EMS, present your 2009 Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Member card, and receive 20% off the original price for everything in the store.

Happy shopping!

Philadelphia's Bike Plan Needs You!

It's been ten years since Philadelphia updated its bike lane network and bicycle policies. Philadelphia's City Planning Commission is preparing a new bicycle/pedestrian plan to find ways to make it easier, safer and more appealing to walk and bike around the City. The study area includes Center City, North, South and Northwest Philadelphia.

You are invited to attend a community meeting to share with PCPC your concerns and ideas about walking and biking in Philadelphia.

South Philadelphia--Thursday, April 16th 6:30-8:30 PM--Fels Community Center Auditorium 2407 S. Broad St.
Center City--Tuesday, April 21st 6:30-8:30 PM--Municipal Services Building Rooms X, Y, and Z, 16th floor1401 JFK Boulevard
(North and Northwest meetings will be held in May)

PCPC also has an online questionnaire. Please fill it out!

Download the flyer about the meetings and website.

Spread the word! Please forward this post to other cyclists, pedestrians and community activists who want Philadelphia to have a safer and more connected bicycle/pedestrian lane network.

East Coast Greenway Pennsylvania Summit - May 8

Do you want to get involved with the completion of the East Coast Greenway in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the national East Coast Greenway alliance invite you to attend the Summit, learn more about the Greenway, listen to inspirational speakers, and learn about concrete, on-the-ground strategies to help complete the East Coast Greenway in PA!
May 8th 2009 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
The Hub at Cira Centre
Mezzanine Level of Cira Centre
2929 Arch St

The Cira Center is adjacent to 30th St Station and is accessible to it via an enclosed walkway.

LIMITED seats available
Please RSVP to Carol Meyers at
215-592-7020 x100 or
CMeyers@pecpa.org

What If Walt Disney Rode A Bike?

View Larger Map
A paved trail network in my imagination. The blue trails don't exist (yet), the red trails are real

Well with my two preschoolers getting restless it is time to make the pilgrimage to the land of crowds traffic and lines. I've never been there, so imagine my disappointment when I learned that bikes are practically banned from the Walt Disney World Resort. Main St USA right?

Check out the gaping hole in the Orlando Metro Bike Map.

Anyway what if the Disney Imagineers dreamed of showcasing the perfect transportation mode for a 40 square mile resort.

Perhaps the only thrill ride missing is the bicycle.

Thank You Senator Specter For Sponsoring CLEAN-TEA and Complete Streets

Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has demonstrated terrific leadership to promote bicycling by co-sponsoring S. 584, The Complete Streets Act of 2009 and by supporting green transportation projects by co-sponsoring S. 575, the Clean Low-Emission Affordable New Transportation Efficiency Act (CLEAN-TEA).

Complete Streets legislation complements state and local efforts currently underway in Pennsylvania and around the country and is vital to making our streets accessible and welcoming to all of our citizens regardless of age, ability, or chosen mode of transportation. Clean Tea will do far more than just reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it will create jobs, save money in the long term, provide affordable transportation options for all Americans, and help keep our cities and towns livable.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia applauds Senator Specter for co-sponsoring these two critical pieces of legislation. Pennsylvania will benefit from these two bills through congestion reduction, safer streets for everyone, more energy efficient transportation infrastructure and greenhouse gas emission reduction. Thank you Senator Specter for being a leader on promoting bicycling as a safer, cleaner and more healthy mode of transportation that can help resolve some of our country's most pressing economic, environmental and health care problems.

If you want to thank Senator Specter, you can do so by using this contact form we would also appreciate sending a note to john@bicyclecoalition.org so we can track your responses

Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan Community Meetings in April

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is working on a plan to find ways to make it easier, safer and more appealing to walk and bike around the City. The study area includes Center City, North, South and Northwest Philadelphia. The PCPC is inviting the public to attend a community meeting to share with them your concerns and ideas about walking and biking in Philadelphia.

Thursday, April 16 6:30-8:30 PM--Fels Community Center Auditorium 2407 S. Broad St.

Tuesday, April 21 6:30-8:30 PM--Municipal Services Building Rooms X, Y, and Z, 16th floor1401 JFK Boulevard

(North and Northwest meetings will be held in May)

RentaBikeNow.com - Avis for Bikes

Have you ever tried to rent a bike in an unfamiliar city? First you search the internet and find nothing. Then you arrive at the city on a Saturday afternoon and you find a brochure in the hotel lobby for a bike shop that rents bikes. So you call them up and you get a message saying that they are closed until Monday. Monday morning comes and you call again, but the bike shop tells you that they no longer rent bikes. That's it, but don't worry if you can't rent from Hertz online the concierge has their number on speed dial. And they'll pick you up! Car culture wins again.

Enter RentaBikeNow.com. Finally, A website where you can actually pick a destination and arrange to rent a bicycle.

Next step, how about partnering with Orbitz, Amtrak and Priceline? When you make your travel reservations a bike rental offer shows up and you check a box. Even in these economic times the bike rental business has nowhere to go but up.

MLK Drive Closures Begin on Saturday

Starting on April 4th at 7am, MLK Drive will close to MOTOR vehicular traffic on weekend days until 5pm. The lower end of the King Drive, from Eakins Oval to Sweetbriar Cut-Off, re-opens to vehicular traffic each weekend day at 12 noon.

In order to plan your weekend rides, here are the 2009 events scheduled for MLK Drive and Kelly Drive .

Fairmount Park has posted the 2009 events on both drives and BF Parkway.

Philly.Com's Pothole Tracker

Philly.com has linked to an online service called See Click Fix that purports to help public works departments identify and quickly repair potholes and other road hazards.

See Click Fix doesn't have to be just for automobile drivers. As alert and observant road users, cyclists can contribute to "See Click Fix" by identifying the details that car drivers can't/don't/won't observe - poor pavement, dangerous debris, speeding and reckless driving problem areas, etc.

If "See Click Fix" really is linked in with public works departments and other decision makers, then we can use this as a powerful tool to show cyclists as equal road users who can be useful "eyes and ears" for those who are responsible for providing safe roads for all users.

Philly's 311 response service has been issuing work orders based on Pothole Tracker complaints. Let's try to fill the Philly-area "See Click Fix" map with the issues that concern us as cyclists and see if we can create more awareness of our needs at the same time.



You can add bike related problems directly by double clicking on this map.

Submitted By Kyle Gradinger

Adopt A Rack Update - New Bike Racks At SEPTA Stations

Since October the Streets Department has been installing Bike Racks as part of the Adopt A Rack Program. Over the past 6 weeks 204 new racks that were adopted by the BCGP have been installed througout Center City and at SEPTA Bus and Rail stations throughout Philadelphia. All 1400+ racks will be installed by the fall.



As you can see the number of bike racks installed at each location is color coded (the colors for 2.500 represent 2 or 3 racks and 5.5 = 5 or 6 racks). Click on the individual markers for details about the location.

Columbia MO and its real "Amsterdam Project"

Columbia MO is one of four communities that was selected for the Non-Motorized Pilot project which was to give $25 Million Dollars to each community in the last transportation bill to build up a bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This was complemented with an aggressive safety and promotional campaign. The preliminary results show very impressive gains in bicycle and pedestrian travel and a whopping 15% drop in driving alone.

Lavender - 2008 Mode Share
White - 2007 Mode Share


























There is no telling how the next Transportation Bill will flush out, but the Rails to Trails Conservancy's 2010 Active Transportation Campaign seeks to greatly expand the pilot project include to 50 major cities and counties including the Camden GreenWay campaign.

Legislative Bike Rally in Harrisburg on May 5th

Please come to Harrisburg on May 5th to attend the Legislative Bike Rally and Press Conference 10AM at the Capitol Stairs to promote Bike Month & influence policymakers.

The event will feature resolutions in the House and Senate introduced respectively by Rep. Kessler and Senator O'Pake and a Proclamation signed by the Governor.

After the event we will be visiting our State Representatives and Senators to advocate for safe passing legislation.

We are hoping that as many people as possible will be able to come out and ride their bikes to the event. The meeting point for the ride is the State Farm Show Complex at 230 N Cameron St at 8:30 a.m. (Driving Directions)

















Amtrak offers quick and reasonably priced service to Harrisburg from 30th Street Station and Paoli. An express train leaves 30th St at 7:25AM and at Paoli at 7:51 arriving in Harrisburg at 9AM. Fare is $23 each way which is less than half the cost of service to NY or DC. The Train station is a ten minute walk from the Capitol.

Only folding bikes are allowed on Amtrak. If you bring one make sure you have this document on your person or in your smartphone in case a surly conductor questions you (that's another issue for another day).

Bike Lanes on I-676

Given the success of the Schuylkill River Trail as a route for bicycle commuters, the Bicycle Coalition announced plans today for bike lanes on I-676.

“After an extensive analysis of east-west routes in Center City, we found that the safest option is to add bike lanes to I-676,” said Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Alex Doty. The Streets Department, citing statistics showing the large number of bike crashes that occur at intersections, agreed that bike-car crashes would be reduced with a bike lane on the interstate.

Recent cuts to the city budget have delayed implementing the project. Therefore, the Bicycle Coalition is calling for volunteers to come out this evening, wearing clothes that can get dirty, to stripe the new bike lanes. There will also be a bake sale to raise funds for the ADA-compliant ramps to allow wheelchair access to the Vine Street Expressway.

Volunteer Opportunity
April 1, 2009
Paint Bike Lanes on I-676

From Philadelphia Bicycle News

Image - Google Streetview

In all seriousness, we need to complete the Schuylkill River Trail and create east-west bike lanes in Center City.