Dead Bike Removal

Engaging in a bit of Bicycle Coalition blog cross-pollination here (cross-blogination?  eh?  no?  ok, no).  Our education department quietly does a ton of great work in Philadelphia, perhaps most notably providing bicycling and pedestrian safety lesson programming to Philadelphia public elementary schools.  Another project we undertake from time to time is dead bike removal.

Folks call, e-mail, or tweet us with the location of dead and abandoned bicycles taking up valuable bike parking.  For the past couple years, we have worked with the Philadelphia Streets Sanitation Department to remove these derelict bikes from Center City.

Derelict bike, taking up valuable bike parking space.

A dead bike is what you imagine it to be: a bicycle or part of a bicycle locked in a public spot and abandoned.  We tag these wrecks with bi-lingual neon orange tags and leave them on for at least a week.  The tags allow the owner to call us to claim the bike.  This past Wednesday, Bicycle Coalition jack-of-all-trades Ben Cromie worked with two Streets Department fellas (Malik Wilson and Kevin Henderson) freeing the derelict bikes and wheels from their abandoned locks.  They liberated 13 bikes and 5 wheels.

The bicycles are donated to Neighborhood Bike Works, who scrap them for useful parts or deploy them in their fabulous Earn-A-Bike program.  Currently we only have the resources to do this several times a year, and only in Center City.  It is one small way, however, that we help keep the bicycle ecosystem in Philadelphia from getting too gunked up.

For a more poetic report on our previous dead bike removal outing, or to learn more about our educational programming, visit our Bike PHL education blog.  For more photos from the dead bike cleanup, check out our Flickr set.

Bicyclist killed in Tabernacle

According to Phillyburbs.com - 23 Year Old Shawn Patterson was riding his bicycle on Old Indian Mills Road in Tabernacle, NJ when he was hit by a truck making a left onto the road from Route 206 at around 10:55 p.m. Patterson was flown to the Trauma Center at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.


View PA/NJ Bicycle Crashes 2011-2012 in a larger map

As you can see the intersection of the road a vehicle traveling 50 mph on US 206 can almost seamlessly veer left onto the Old Indian Mills Rd.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Shawn's family and friends.

Upcoming Philadelphia Bicycling Volunteer Opportunity

Back On My Feet is looking for nighttime bicycling volunteers to help marshal their 20in24 ultra-marathon on July 16th-17th.  This is a great opportunity to bicycle the Schuylkill River Trail at an unusual hour and help out a very worthy cause.

Back On My Feet is the renown Philadelphia-founded nonprofit which helps homeless men and women obtain self-sufficiency through running.  They are putting on the Stroehmann Back On My Feet 20in24 ultra-marathon on July 16th-17th.  To ensure the safety of participants running for 24 straight hours(!!!), the organizers are looking for squads of 10-12 safety bicycles and 10 medical bicycles to work the course in 4 hour shifts.

What you need:

• A bicycle, helmet, and lights.
• Snacks and water bottle.
• Four hours (or more, if you want to do multiple shifts).

What you'll get:

• Free apparel, food, and gift certificates to local businesses.
• The beautiful and moving experience of biking the Schuylkill River Trail at sunset or sunrise, moonset or moonrise.
• That warm, fuzzy, volunteer feeling.
• Getting exercise alongside people getting a lot of exercise.

This is a good activity for bike groups, cycling buddies, family or friends.  Interested in volunteering?  Check out their volunteer page.  For more information on the event itself, look here.

Wednesday Night: "Bicycle Dreams" at World Cafe Live

Looking for your Wednesday night bicycling movie fix?  Step closer and let us whisper in your ear:

Tomorrow (Wednesday) night
World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St, Phila)
Doors 7 pm, movie at 8 pm
Film: Bicycle Dreams
Tickets: $11 (available online)
Specials: $3 Sierra Nevadas all night


Attendees can win bicycling prizes, including Bike Philly registrations, a tuneup from Via Bicycle, Schwalbe mountain bike tires, and riding swag.

About the film:
“Bicycle Dreams” is the powerful true story of the Race Across America, a 3000-mile bicycle race that challenges riders to cross the country in just ten days. They must overcome searing desert heat, agonizing mountain climbs, and endless stretches of open road, all while battling extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation. But when tragedy strikes the race, this simple test of human endurance is instantly transformed into a soul-stirring journey of courage, perseverance, and heart.

Connector Bridge Public Meeting on Monday, June 27th

As part of the 2007 legal settlement agreement that the City of Philadelphia signed with CSX Transportation, the City agreed to build a connector bridge between Schuylkill River Park and the Schuylkill River Park Trail at Schuylkill Banks.  CSX agreed to allow the two grade crossings at Locust and Race Street to remain open and made safer with gates and lighting.  These crossings are currently under construction

The Connector Bridge design was presented at two public meetings held in November 2008 and June 2009 and public input was taken through an online survey and comments collected via email.  A Design Concept Team also worked closely with Schuylkill River Development Corporation on elements of the conceptual design, which included representatives of the Schuylkill River Park Alliance, Friends of Schuylkill River Park, Center City Residents Association, Representative Babette Josephs, Fairmount Park, the Streets Department and University of Pennsylvania.

On Monday, June 27th, at 7pm at Trinity Center for Urban Life (22nd and Spruce Streets), Schuylkill River Development Corporation is holding a third public meeting for the community to meet the construction company and be briefed on the bridge construction schedule. 

A Slideshow of the New Buffered Bike Lane on 13th

Street paint and bike stencils have been applied and the first segment of the 13th Street bike lane is now open from South Street to Market. Over the next couple of weeks we can look forward to the bike lane being extended up to Spring Garden along with a companion bike lane on 10th Street.

And talk about being at the the right place at the right time, we spotted the Google Street View camera car already documenting the City's newest bike lane at 13th and Pine.





The Street View Car heading down Pine after turning off 13th

Sign Up For Our Cyclegram, Get Bike Philly Discount

It's Monday morning, and we've got a little promotion for ya.  Now, this blog is a great way to keep up with the nitty gritty of our advocacy activities (and they are gritty.  And rugged.  And handsome).  But we know blogrolls can get long and the hours of the day are short.  So we have an alternative for those who prefer their bicycling news in tidy, one-month intervals:  our Cyclegram!

The Bicycle Coaliton's Cyclegram is our monthly e-newsletter.  It contains information on our advocacy and education activities, plus news and bicycling events (ours and others) from the Greater Philadelphia Region.

As if information (the backbone of our global economy) was not sufficient reward for joining the Cyclegram mailing list, we are offering an ol' fashioned promo code.  Sign up and we'll send you a discount code good for $5 off an adult registration to Bike Philly.  The code is only valid until June 30th, so step lively (or, we guess, click lively).  Bike Philly will be here before you know it, put that nagging to-do to rest for the summer by signing up early.

Visit our website and enter your e-mail address in the box at the top to sign up and receive your code!

A trail with a view

Looking north 

Do you like this view of the Canal Tow Path? 

Looking south

How about this one of the Schuylkill River with Manayunk on the left and I-76 and Lower Merion on the right?

 Where were these photos taken?  From the top of the Manayunk Bridge, one of the nine segments identified by the Complete the Trail campaign. 

On top of the Manayunk Bridge

Main Street Manayunk

This inactive rail bridge, which links Lower Merion to Manayunk, is slated to become a the first biking/walking (only) bridge over the Schuylkill River in Southeast PA.  SEPTA, the City of Philadelphia, PennDOT,  the William Penn Foundation, Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County and many others are collaborating together and working hard to transform this bridge from rail to trail.  

Consulting engineers, landscape architects and designers are beginning to put pen to paper to design a trail over the bridge that would link the Cynwyd Heritage Trail to the Schuylkill River Trail. 

How would you like this trail to be designed? How should bikes and pedestrians co-exist?  What should the railing look like?  What about the surface?  If you have ideas or visions, let the designers know by sending them your thoughts in an email. 

It's Just Chalk, But Oh What Chalk - 13th Street Bike Lane Chalked Today

Remember that dream?  Where you rode on a bike lane up 13th Street through Center City?  Well, look down.



As of this afternoon, 13th Street from South to Market has been chalked for bike lane paint.  We expect that this chalk will spread north to Spring Garden, and along 10th Street from Lombard to Spring Garden, in the next couple days.  The real paint (as opposed to this heavy-duty traffic chalk) is supposed to go in before the end of June.

Teen Cyclist Struck By Motorist in Maple Glen

From the Upper Dublin Patch -

By Tom Sofield

A teen is in a Philadelphia hospital after she was struck by a car while riding her bicycle on Norristown Road Thursday afternoon, police report.

Multiple ambulances responded to aid the 15-year-old female, who was thrown from her bike, said Corporal Shea Creamer of the Upper Dublin Township Police Department.

After evaluating her condition, a medical helicopter was called to transport the teen to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for treatment, said Creamer.

Police report the girl was conscious as EMTs packaged her for the flight.

Full Article

We wish the young victim a full and speedy recovery.

View PA/NJ Bicycle Crashes 2011-2012 in a larger map

Another bike crash on another incomplete street in the suburbs. This time the victim is a 15 year old girl.

We are hiring: research intern

Good things come in threes, so we've got one more job opening to share.  This one is ours.  (At this rate, bicycle advocacy organizations will have that national unemployment rate whipped inside a month!)

The Bicycle Coalition is seeking a part-time research intern, to start August 22nd.  Our website holds the job description and all its comforting little bullet points.

East Coast Greenway Is Hiring

We've turned into a job board for the day.  East Coast Greenway is looking for a Regional Trail Coordinator.  They are accepting applications until June 20th.  Below is a blurb about the job; full details available here.

"The East Coast Greenway Alliance seeks a Regional Trail Coordinator for the mid-Atlantic region.  This position carries region-wide responsibilities for all aspects of ECGA involvement in trail implementation, and more.  Location within the Mid-Atlantic region is somewhat flexible.  The closing date for applications is June 20."

Upcoming Philadelphia Cycling Committee Meeting

The next monthly Philadelphia City Cycling Committee will be at the Bicycle Coalition Office, 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 305, Tuesday, June 21st 2011 at 6:30 - 8:00 PM (6:00 PM Pizza and Refreshments)

Our special guest will be Police Captain Allen Clark Commanding Officer of the Center City District. He is the police contact for the City’s “Give respect – Get Respect” education and enforcement program for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, as well as, pedestrians. This program is now in operation on the streets of Center City Philadelphia.

Give Respect Handouts

Wanted: Program Manager for NBW North Philly

Neighborhood Bike Works, North Philadelphia is looking for a Program Manager! The Program Manager is responsible for teaching Earn a Bike classes, maintaining contacts with families and community partners, and coordinating all youth programs at the North Philly location. This position would start in July 2011. If you are interested, please send resume and cover letter to Kitty Heite at kitty@neighborhoodbikeworks.org with "Program Manager" as the subject line. You may also call 215-386-0316.

Minimum requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
2. 2 years of youth work experience either paid or volunteer
3. Enthusiasm for cycling a must!
4. Excellent organizational and communication skills

Preferred:

1. Education or significant experience in the fields of Education, Social Work or Non-Profit administration
2. Direct service with underserved populations
3. Connections to the area around our shop (1426 N. Susquehanna Ave)
4. 4. Bike mechanic experience.

Hours: Flexible, must be able to work Saturdays and some weeknight hours. 30-35 hours/week.

Compensation: $12/hour to start, eligible for raise and health benefits after 90 days.

Reward for Motorist Who Killed John Chapman Raised to $25,000

Thanks to generous donations from NYC's Fast and Fabulous Cycle Club and Suburban Cyclists Unlimited the reward for the apprehension and conviction of the driver that killed 66 year-old John Chapman in a hit and run crash on May 28th in Plumstead Township has been raised to $25,000.

The vehicle that hit John was identified as a white or silver GMC/Chevy pickup. The impact knocked off the passenger side mirror and damaged the right side of the truck. Anyone with information about the vehicle and its owner should call the Plumstead Township Police at 215-766-8741.

A ghost bike marks the location where Chapman was struck.

The 2005 GMC Sierra Pickup - one of several possible models involved in the crash

Sweltering but Successful Manayunk Bridge Design Meeting

photo by Annie Scott, Schuylkill Project

If it's not a snowstorm, it's a freakin' heat wave in early June that rivaled an summer afternoon in the deep south...That's what the organizers faced last night for the kickoff public meeting on how to design the trail on top of the Manayunk Bridge.  Thankfully,  a rainstorm broke the heat and we didn't melt in the minimally air conditioned basement of the Northern Lights Community Center.

The Manayunk Bridge, a veritable icon in NW Philadelphia, once carried a rail line that connected Lower Merion (Montgomery County) to Manayunk/Roxborough (Philadelphia County).  This bridge, in combination with the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, the Pencoyd section, and the Ivy Ridge trail will provide a paved bike/ped route that parallels the Canal Tow Path and connects to the Schuylkill River Trail.  It's one of the nine segments that is part of the Complete the Trail Campaign.  

The Bridge crosses an active Norfolk-Southern freight line, I-76, the Schuylkill River and the Norristown SEPTA line. The same inactive line within Lower Merion is being converted into the Cynwyd Heritage Trail in Lower Merion this summer and fall. The Manayunk Bridge and Ivy Ridge Trail (the section of rail line between the Bridge and the Ivy Ridge Station) are being designed by Whitman, Requard & Associates.  Last night's meeting was to scope out the design of the Bridge only (the Ivy Ridge section will be worked on a little later).  There is a tight timeline because the City of Philadelphia was successful in securing $1.3 million in federal transportation funds to build the trail on the Bridge, but the funds must be "obligated" by next summer.

Those of us in attendance were treated to the power point below and the consultants answered a lot of questions from the audience.  In summary, this is the time for you to weigh in about what you want to out of this new section of trail.  Send your ideas directly to Ashley   
june9th2011

$5000 Reward Posted for Plumstead Hit and Run Driver Who Killed Bicyclist

The information below is gleaned from an email update posted by Terry Clemons Esq.

With the contribution of $1,000 from the Central Bucks Bicycle Club (CBBC), activists have reached the goal of raising a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of a motorist who killed Queens NY Cyclist John Chapman in Plumstead Township on May 28th.

Others who contributed to the reward included:

• An 89 year old mother from Bensalem who sent two $20.00 bills with a note stating she recently lost a son to a hit and run driver. From her note, you could tell she really feels the pain the Chapman family is experiencing.
• A donor who contributed $500.00 on the condition that they remain anonymous. “This is not about publicity – it is about seeing that justice is done”,
• Over 50 contributors from all over the Delaware Valley and from out-of-state.

250 reward posters were printed and more than 100 posters have been placed along the Route 413 – 611 corridors from Newtown to Revere, across Route 563, along Route 313 to Doylestown, and into Point Pleasant, Center Bridge and New Hope.

If you are interested in helping place reward posters please contact Donna Lee Eller at the offices of Clemons Richter & Reiss, P.C., 107 East Oakland Avenue, Doylestown PA 18901.

$5000 Reward Poster With Pick Up Truck Info

The Plumstead Township Police continue to investigate the crash and the Bucks County District Attorney will assist with the distribution of the reward money.

John Chapman memorial page

Regional Trails Grant Program Launched

See this map online

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) announced today the launch of the $10 million Regional Trails Grant Program.  The program, funded by the William Penn Foundation, will provide funding for targeted priority trail design, construction and planning projects that will promote a truly connected, regional network of multi-use trails with Philadelphia and Camden as its hub. The program will also provide technical assistance to trail developers, counties, municipalities and nonprofit organizations. 

The program has numerous goals, the top of which is to raise the visibility of the regional trail network overall and support catalytic projects that will advance its completion.

The targeted trails are here .  Phase I of the Regional Trails Program will provide grants for design and construction of multi-use trails that complete segments of, or close gaps in, the regional trails network. To submit an application for funding, please review the Request for Expressions of Interest (REI). Expressions of Interest are due to DVRPC by 5:00 PM on Friday, July 8, 2011.

Bike-In Movie: Transforming A Car Space Into A Community Space

We held a Bike-In Movie last night on top of the Whole Foods parking garage on South Street.  Temperatures reached near 100 degrees that afternoon, and the nervous finger-tappers among us worried the heat would dissuade folks from stretching out under the stars and taking in a movie.  Our fears were groundless.

Over 130 men, women, and one dog came out to watch Breaking Away, eat Little Babies Ice Cream and Whole Foods wood-fired pizza, and take in the dusky Philadelphia skyline.  A majority of the attendees came via bike, locking up downstairs on Neighborhood Bike Works-provided racks.

The relaxed, convivial atmosphere was best reflected by the ease with which at least thirty riders left their bicycles unlocked against a nearby wall.  The necessity to lock up one's bike is the most regrettable requirement of bike ownership in Philly, and we were happy to facilitate a temporarily reprieve from that need.  Attendees reclined on blankets, chairs, and flattened cardboard boxes.  With Whole Foods below us, the food consumed was pretty high-end for fare typically scarfed in a parking lot.

Alex Doty spoke about the Bicycle Coalition and bicycling in the city, and introduced three short films (one from WHYY, one from us, and one from Streetsblog), then the feature film.  The greatest spontaneous applause of the night came when Alex mentioned the 10th and 13th Street bike lanes, and when (*SPOILER ALERT*) Dave Stoller passed the college rider on the inside to win the Little 500 race.

Thank you to everyone who came out, and to Whole Foods, Little Babies Ice Cream, and Neighborhood Bike Works for helping with the event.  Together, we repurposed an asphalt car storage space into a bicycle-friendly meeting area infused with a sense of community.  For more images from the night, check out our Flickr page.

Pedestrian Improvement Grants Available for Municipalities and Counties

Red Light Enforcement-2 PennDOT is conducting another round of Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) grants for pedestrian projects. $7.4 million is available from Philadelphia's 19 red light enforcement cameras.  

Applications must be made by municipal, county or regional entities.  Eligible projects include pedestrian facilities (countdown timers, crosswalks, etc) but also a lot of traffic signalling projects.  The online application is here.  Applications are due July 29, 2011

Cynwyd Trail Paving Begins!

Paving began today on the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, this photo was taken near the Cynwyd Train Station.















Photo - Sarah Francis

Public Meetings on Regional Trails in June

Two public meetings are being held this month on two trail segments (Manayunk Bridge) and (Connector Bridge) that will help Complete the Schuylkill River Trail.  A regional trails summit is also being held toward the end of the month. 

Manayunk Bridge

Date: Thursday, June 9, 2011

Time:  7:00 PM

Place:  North Light Community Center, 175 Green Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.  19127

Purpose: Seek public input into design elements of the trail to be built on top of this bridge

Note – Street work is being done on Green Lane – detour – take Leverington Avenue, turn on to Silverwood St., cross over Green Lane and take the first right on Carson St..  Parking available in Church parking lot behind North Light Community Center

Connector Bridge (between Schuylkill River Park and Schuylkill River Park Trail at Schuylkill Banks)

Date: Monday June 27

Time: 7pm

Place: Trinity Center for Urban Life, 22^nd and Spruce Streets

Purpose: Introduce the construction team for this important bridge project which is expected to begin in early July.

Active Transportation Summit: Building Our Regional Trail Network

Date: Thursday, June 23, 2011 

Time: 8am - 5pm

Place: HUB, Cira Center

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) invite you to attend the Active Transportation Summit: Building Our Regional Trail Network to learn how the vision for a complete and interconnected system of trails can be achieved.

The Active Transportation Summit will highlight and enhance the growing excitement around the region’s expanding trail network. The Summit will feature national leaders in the Health and Economic Development fields, talking about the public health benefits of active transportation and the keys to growing our economy by growing our trails. Local visionaries, including the Bicycle Coalition’s Executive Director Alex Doty, will provide updates on some of the most exciting trails, parks and bikeways in the nation, being built right here in our region; and about the region’s growing Active Transportation movement. The Summit will conclude with an exclusive tour of the Manayunk Bridge, future site of a breathtaking multi-use trail segment ten stories over the Schuylkill River.

The goal of the Summit is to raise awareness about current trail projects, build excitement for future trail projects, and highlight how the entire community benefits from the creation of a regional trail system. Beyond that, the Summit will also provide a charrette-like format where YOU will be able to ADD your voice and your suggestions to the mix. As many around the region already know, the establishment of the active transportation trail system is paramount in moving the Philadelphia region into the national spotlight for sustainable planning and promotion of healthy lifestyles.

After the conference, participants will be able to take a walk on the Manayunk Bridge. 

Event details and to register, click here:

Bike-In Movie On South Street This Wednesday!

After last week's politically-oriented posts, it's nice to get back to the joyous side of bicycling.  In that spirit, here's a reminder that we're hosting a free bike-in movie this Wednesday on South Street!  It's like a drive-in movie, but without the dead batteries or flashbacks to awkward high school dates.

The movie: Breaking Away (PG, 1979, 101 minutes; featuring a young Dennis Quaid and those timeless themes of love, small-town America, and Italian professional cycling).
The spot: top level of Whole Foods parking garage, 10th & South Street, Philly.
The time-o-clock: 8:30 pm short films; feature starts at 9:00 pm.
The packing list: blankets, mats, lawn chairs.
Rain date: Friday, June 10th.

Bicycle parking will be available on site, or you can bring your bike to the roof and snuggle with it under the stars.

The Little Babies Ice Cream tricycle will be on hand selling ice cream, and Whole Foods will be selling wood-fired pizzas.  The fancy flyer Whole Foods made for the evening was just too purdy not to post:


Bike-In Movie Flyer

Scenic Schuylkill Century registration now open

The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia's 15th annual Scenic Schuylkill Century ride is now open for registration.  The supported ride is happening Saturday, September 10, 2011, with 25, 40, 67 and 100-mile options.  Register online.

The Scenic Schuylkill Century is part of Philadelphia Bicycling Weekend, an event-filled two days of bicycling in Philadelphia.  Information on the weekend, anchored by Bike Philly on Sunday, Sept. 11th, is available here (more information to come as we move closer to September).

Bike News From Around The Region

Last week's bike lane bill crisis prevented us from reporting some other happenings in the region

1 - The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has opened up the draft New Jersey Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for public comment - Less than 0.5% of the highway dollars will go to bicycling in South Jersey over the next 4 years - meanwhile one interchange (42/295) will suck up more the 10% of the highway funds for the region. Click here to review the map and submit comments for more bicycle funding in NJ.

2 - The DRPA has extended the Ben Franklin Bridge walkway hours to 9 pm through October 1.

3 - More bikelash, this time in South Central, PA. Temporary bike lanes on Philadelphia St (for bike week) and permanent bike lanes on King St in York were put in place and the York Dispatch immediately began blaming the bike lanes for gridlock. We knew that the editorial was anti-bike when the tagline started with - "Seriously, we have nothing against exercise or bettering the environment". This state needs more cities like York and fewer bike bashing editorials from papers like the York Dispatch.

4 - In the Lehigh Valley The Saucon Valley rail trail has been extended to Hellertown. Plans are to extend the trail to Bucks County Line at Coopersburg. Meanwhile SEPTA has dialed back its plans for restored rail service on the corridor and that could further extend the trail to Quakertown. The Saucon Trail lease agreement with SEPTA has a rail reversion clause in case the Agency plans to bring passenger rail back to the Lehigh Valley. [Map]

Thanks To Everyone Who Helped Table the Bike Lane Bill--Let's Go to the Videotape!

A big Bicycle Coalition thank you to everyone who helped make yesterday's victory in City Council possible.

We're grateful to everyone who:

• Sent in one of over 400 letters to Council,
• Made phone calls to Council offices (remember to be polite and courteous in the future please!)
  
• Followed @bcgp on Twitter and tweeted or retweeted the #redtapelanes hashtag,
• Joined our Facebook page and used it to comment and shared posts,
• Read and commented on our blog posts
• Signed up for text alerts, and
• Came to City Hall to hold up signs, testify and show the depth of the bicycle community's opposition to the bill.

Together we sent a clear message that the bike lane ordinance bill wasn't the right approach. Members of the Streets and Services Committee heard us and we thank Councilwoman Sanchez, Councilman Green, DiCicco and Greenlee for holding the bill to work out a regulatory solution with the Administration to formalize the Streets Department's public notice process.

Here's a videotape from Kelvyn Anderson-- Thanks Kelvyn for filming and posting this! Additional video of the hearing here.

Public Meeting June 9th on Manayunk Bridge Trail Design

What makes a great trail?  On Thursday, June 9 at 7pm, the public is invited to meet with consultants to share their thoughts on the design of the proposed Manayunk Bridge trail.  The design team, led by Whitman, Requardt and Associates, will host the meeting which will be held at the North Light Community Center, 175 Green Lane.   As the design process moves forward, the team seeks to actively engage the public in shaping the look and feel of the trail. “We will meet with community groups and the public this spring and summer to get their ideas, share alternatives, and collaboratively develop the design,” said Jeff Riegner, leader of the WR&A Design Team.  The meeting on June 9 is the first public meeting held by the group for this purpose.

The walking and bicyclingtrail across the iconic Manayunk Bridge will connect Lower Merion Township’s Cynwyd Heritage Trail, currently under construction, with the site of a former SEPTA station at Dupont and High Streets in Manayunk. Future phases will extend the trail to the Ivy Ridge Station and beyond, eventually connecting to the Schuylkill River Trail at Shawmont Avenue.   The design must be complete by fall 2012 to meet the terms of the $1.3 million grant PennDOT announced in January for construction.  Partial funding for the final design of the bridge has been provided by the William Penn Foundation.  

The trail is heralded by community members and municipalities alike as a landmark project with the potential to be a pivotal link in the Philadelphia trail network.  It is also recognized as a true collaborative effort, with project partners including Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Philadelphia Streets Department, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Manayunk Development Corporation, Lower Merion Township, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, and SEPTA.