Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Do You Know About Our Events Calendar? It Has Neat Events On It Like These...

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia's events calendar is a busy one, as there is always a lot happening in the region concerning bicycling, trails, active transportation, innovative urban planning, n' stuff. The basics of the bicycle haven't changed that much since it was invented, so we keep our internal calendar similarly old school. Our internal calendar as of this morning:
Sorry, I know there's some personal stuff mixed in there, too.
We want to keep you informed about these events as well, so we translate our calendar into a more modern format and post it online.

TSTC Opens Up Crash Data, Reveals Most Dangerous Road In South Jersey

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign has a released a new report that analyzes bicycle crashes in 8 South Jersey Counties from 2008-2010 to determine particularly dangerous roadways for cyclists. The report extracts NJDOT's public (but difficult to access) traffic crash data and geocodes all the bicycle crashes in the region on Google Maps.
 
The analysis shows that many crashes were clustered on specific roads, with certain roads the most dangerous in more than one county. US 30 was one of Atlantic and Camden Counties’ most dangerous roads (65 crashes in these counties combined). NJ 47 was one of Cape May, Cumberland and Gloucester Counties’ most dangerous roads (58 crashes in these counties combined).

Monday, November 28, 2011

Passyunk Community Meeting Wednesday About Safer, Sweeter Streets

You don't need to recognize this to attend the meeting, but
if you do, this is so up your alley it might as well BE your alley.
So this is a big project we're letting out of the bag slowly. As if the proverbial bag is stretched tightly around the project and we have to wiggle one side of the bag down at a time to get the project out without tearing the bag.

AN-E-how, you will be hearing more about this from us in the upcoming months. For now, know that we are working with the Community Design Collaborative to investigate creating innovative bicycle and pedestrian friendly corridors, beginning with South Philadelphia.

Last week PlanPhilly ran an article about this exciting collaboration, and this Wednesday you can join in!

Public Meeting
Wednesday, November 30th
6:00 - 8:00 PM
East Passyunk Crossing Offices (1729 S. 11th Street)

Join the Bicycle Coalition and the Community Design Collaborative for a lively discussion about making South Philadelphia streets safer for walking and biking. The best input for such plans comes from the residents, commuters, and business owners who use these streets daily. Join us and help shape this exciting innovative design project!

Below is a flyer for your perusal. Questions? Contact susan@bicyclecoalition.org for more information.

Seeking Philly Public School Parents for Focus Groups This Week

Are you the parent of a Philadelphia public elementary school student? We'd like to talk to you!

We are hosting 5 focus groups this week at 5 different elementary schools around the city. The purpose is to talk to parents about their experiences and opinions concerning traffic safety around their students' schools.

Focus Group Dates and Locations:

Tuesday, Nov 29
1:30 - 3:30 pm
Frances E. Willard Elementary (1930 E. Elkhart St)

Wednesday, Nov 30
6:00 - 8:00 pm
George Sharswood Elementary (2300 S. 2nd St)

Thursday, Dec 1
10:00 am - noon
Anna L. Lingelbach Elementary (Johnson St. & Wayne Ave)

Thursday, Dec 1
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Edward T. Steel Elementary (4301 Wayne Ave)

Thursday, Dec 1
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
John Hancock Elementary (3700 Morrell Ave)

Each session is 90 minutes long. You don't have to be a parent at the school where the session is being held. Each focus group will have light food available, and a non-monetary token of our appreciation for your participation.

These conversations, being held in cooperation with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, will inform our Safe Routes Philly program's efforts to make travelling to and from Philly's schools safer and more fun for both parents and students.

If you are interested in participating, please e-mail or call Ben Cromie with the session you're planning on attending:

Benjamin Cromie
Research Fellow
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Saturday, November 26, 2011

New Jersey Transit - The Way To Go Without Your Bicycle.


While other transit agencies are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to greatly expand bicycle access to their trains, NJ Transit has quietly changed its policy regarding bicycles on trains that will severely limit those wishing to take there bicycles with them on their next trip.  NJ Transit is now restricting bicycle access to all of its stations that do not have a high-level platform, including the key Hoboken Terminal.  That ends up putting nearly half of NJ Transit's 163 commuter rail train stations out of reach for cyclists looking to take their bikes.  On some lines, a majority of stations are off-limits!    The new restrictive part of its bicycle access policy is as follows:
Cyclists and Segway users can only board or alight trains at a station with a high-level or mini high-level platform. For safety reasons, cyclists are not permitted to board or alight trains at a low-level platform, including Hoboken Terminal.
Oddly enough the following language still appears in the policy:
Cyclists or Segway users must be able to lift their bicycle or Segway up and down stairs while boarding and detraining rail cars.
The complete updated train access policy can be found here.

Fortunately for us in the Delaware Valley this policy will not affect anyone unless you were dreaming of biking in Jack Nicholson's hometown while staying at the Spring Lake Inn or visiting Aunt Sadie in Paramus. All Atlantic City Line and 95% of the Northeast Corridor Line Stations have high platforms.

So why should you care? The mere existence of this policy indicates the NJ TRANSIT is not totally "on-board" with the concept of intermodal travel and puts the bike on rail access that we have enjoyed for the past 15 years on a slippery slope.

You can take action by sending this letter to James Simpson, Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Chairman of NJ TRANSIT. We encourage you to add your own personal comments.

Take Action

























Portions of this post was republished with permission from the WalkBikeJersey blog.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Updates On Recent Bicyclist-Driver Crashes

Thank you to the dozens of people who came out in the rain last night to show support for Mr. Gregory Loper's family. It was wet and cold, but comfort is not the purpose of such moments of solidarity and reflection.

Two ways you can help the family through this difficult time:

  • Send an e-mail to cyclingelves@gmail.com, and a volunteer will be in touch with you.
  • Contact your State Senators about HB 208, which would close a loophole which encourages drunk drivers to flee the scene of an accident. (Follow the link to learn more about this absurd legal incentive.)

ABC Philly reports the driver who struck Mr. Loper is being charged with "Homicide by Vehicle, Homicide by Vehicle while DUI, Accident Involving Death, Driving Under the Influence, Recklessly Endangering Another Person and related offenses."

In related news, yesterday a bike cop was hit by a car in Center City and hospitalized. Fortunately, the driver did not flee and newspaper reports suggest that the driver may not have been at fault. We extend our best wishes to the police officer for a clean bill of health. The officer is reported to be in stable condition without broken bones but is being checked for head injuries.

As we head into the busiest travel period of the year, please remember that the road is a dangerous place. If you are driving this weekend, be cognizant of the impact your vehicle can have on the lives of those around you. And whether you are in a vehicle, on a bike, or on foot, please be alert, sober, and respectful of your fellow travellers' equal right to arrive safely at their destinations.

11/23/11 12:02 PM EDIT: another bit of news on this sad topic. Last December, Mr. Randall Bratu was bicycling on Baltimore Ave in Upper Darby when he was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver. Last week, the driver pleaded guilty to four counts against him: homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, accident involving death or personal injury, accident involving damage to an attended vehicle, and driving while under the influence.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Working For Better Roads In Gloucester County

On Friday November 18th, municipal officials and local volunteers conducted a bikeability and walkability study of dangerous conditions at 3 locations – Route 45 in Woodbury, Berkley Road in Mantua, and W. Mantua Avenue in Wenonah.


All good sidewalks must come to an end

The effort was headed by Washington Township resident Daria Volpe and Action Wheels co-owner Patty Woodworth, in coordination with the Bicycle Coalition and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. The results of the survey will be used to support calls for Gloucester County and NJDOT to improve walking and biking conditions on area roads.

As Daria Volpe points out, "Intersections that once had a shoulder are being replaced with dedicated left and right turn lanes. I think it comes down to the fact that they just don't consider bike or foot traffic when planning these projects." It's the opposite of complete streets and everyone should have the opportunity to walk and bike no matter where they live.

Matthew Norris has a more complete article on the Mobilizing the Region Blog.

Candlelight Vigil Tonight at 5:30 PM

A reminder that we are holding a candlelight vigil tonight for Mr. Gregory Loper, who was killed last Friday by an intoxicated hit-and-run driver on Lehigh Ave.

Time: Tonight, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Location: Corner of Lehigh Ave and Jasper Streets, in Kensington
We will have a limited quantity of candles and umbrellas on hand.

We are all pedestrians, and many of us are frequently bicyclists. So it a personally resonant, as well as deeply saddening, tragedy whenever a pedestrian or cyclist is killed by a vehicle. Mr. Loper's story is especially terrible, however, as he was the father of eleven children. Those interested in ways they can help his widow and his family should send an e-mail to cyclingelves@gmail.com.

Results Of Our Dirtiest Bike Lane Survey (now with 4x the colorful graphs)

We had 101 responses to our survey last week asking which Philadelphia bike lanes are most in need of a good old street sweeping.  You can view the full poll results at the end of this post, but below are some select results (click to enlarge):

The "other responses" column was a smattering of lanes around the city, none of which cracked the top 10 (although Germantown Ave and Aramingo received multiple votes).

Monday, November 21, 2011

Hit-and-Run Crashes and What You Can Do

We want to step outside of the immediate tragedy of the bicyclist killed in the bike lane on Lehigh Ave and place the event in a larger context. Unfortunately, that context is a skewed legal system which perversely encourages drunk drivers to leave the scene after a crash.

Say what? Here's what:
  • Currently in Pennsylvania, a driver who fails to remain at the scene of a crash in which a victim dies commits a third degree felony. The minimum jail time for this is one (1) year.
  • However, a driver who causes the death of another person and is convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol commits a second degree felony, punishable by a minimum of three (3) years jail time.
  • This discrepancy in minimum jail time essentially incentivizes intoxicated drivers to flee the scene of the accident in order to sober up.
Whether any intoxicated drivers, having struck someone with their car, think about this incentive to flee isn't the point. The point is there is no good reason for the legal system to create such an incentive in the first place.

Fortunately, there is currently a bill in Harrisburg that seeks to correct this exact problem. HB 208 would close this loophole by increasing the hit-and-run minimum jail times to match that of a DUI fatality. The bill passed the House of Representatives on April 4, 2011. It was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 3rd. No further action has been taken.

Think Pennsylvania should not be encouraging intoxicated drivers to flee crash sites? Contact your State Senator and tell him or her that you support HB 208 and believe it should be brought out of committee. Following that link will allow you to send a letter your state senator, plus the leading 4 members of the Senate Judiciary Committee where the bill currently sits.

Note: We will be holding a candlelight vigil tomorrow (Tuesday) for Mr. Loper. Reminder and additional details tomorrow.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Candlelight Vigil Tuesday For Kensington Hit and Run Victim

We will hold a candlelight vigil Tuesday for Mr. Gregory Loper, the bicyclist killed Friday evening by an SUV while riding in a bike lane in Kensington.  Details on the vigil:


NBC10 Philly has more information about the accident and the victim.  Some details:

  • The victim was Gregory Loper, a 49-year old father of 11.
  • The 22-year old driver, Brett Truskin, had been released from custody earlier that day after being charged with a DUI this past Wednesday.
  • The driver also struck an occupied vehicle.  The driver of that occupied vehicle was reported to be in the hospital in stable condition.

Our hearts, prayers, and sympathy are extended to the family and friends of Mr. Loper, and we are reminded yet again of the toll hit-and-run drivers take on pedestrians and bicyclists.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Bicyclists Struck and Killed By Out of Control Motorist in Kensington

An unidentified bicyclist was killed in the bike lane on the 1900 Block of East Lehigh Avenue by a driver who struck four other vehicles early Friday evening. After the carnage the motorist tried to get away on foot but was caught and held down by witnesses.

According to CBS 3 the motorist has been charged with DUI and vehicular homicide. The bicyclist was the first fatality in Philadelphia that was reported by the media this year although we have observed over time that only about half of the fatal bike crashes in the City actually make the news.

The CBS 3 video includes a very moving account from witness Nicole Gerner and horrible images of the bike broken into several pieces, indicative of the speed at which the crazed motorist was travelling.

Our condolences to the family of the victim and our thanks go out to the Good Samaritans who tried to help the victim and prevented the offender from getting away.


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

UPDATE 11-20-11 - The Offending Drivers has been identified as Brett Truskin, a 22-year-old from Ivyland, Pa. The ID of the victim has still not been released.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Oh, By The Way, 13th Street Bike Lane Will Be Permanent

An excerpt from a report issued from the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU) concerning the 13th Street bike lane:
Based on the findings, which indicated that the pilot bike lane on 13th Street was not resulting in substantial impacts to motor vehicle traffic and was successfully attracting bicyclists, the Streets Department and the Mayor’s Office of Transportation have decided to make the bike lane on 13th Street permanent.
The full report is available for reading here. MOTU found that average vehicle speeds, vehicle volume, and vehicle delay at lights on 13th street were not significantly changed by the pilot bike lane. City cameras found that the majority of delay in vehicle queuing to make turns is caused by vehicle-pedestrian interactions, not the bike lane.

The report also supports our own (kind of obvious, but you know how some folks are) findings that adding a bike lane significantly increases bike traffic on that street:
above graph taken from MOTU report also linked above
Interestingly, a quick search found only CBS Philly and Philebrity covering this news. Of course, the more controversial 10th Street bike lane will probably draw more attention. But we have come a long way when MOTU can announce the permanent implementation of a Center City bike lane, and it causes so little ruckus.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Ask Your PA Senator to Support Safe Bike Passing!

Every bicyclist knows how it feels to have a car, truck or bus pass too close for comfort or suddenly turn right into one's path. Between 8-12% of bicycle crashes are due to motorists misjudging the space required to pass a bicyclist and turning into the path of an approaching bicyclist. To make streets and roads safer, at least 15 states have passed "safe passing bills" to amend their motor vehicle codes to provide bicyclists the protection of law from passing motor vehicles.

There is now an opportunity for you to take action to urge passage of a Pennsylvania safe passing law.

The lack of a safe passing bill is one reason Pennsylvania only rated 25th for bicycle friendliness by the League of American Bicyclists. PA's legislative grade was a C.

Our friends at PA Walks and Bikes have let us know that at long last, Pennsylvania's House of Representatives recently passed its own 4 foot safe passing bill, HB170 .

HB 170 will amend PA's motor vehicle code to provide the following protections:

  • Every car that passes a bike must give a minimum of 4-feet of clearance
  • It will be against the law for a motor vehicle driver to pass a bicyclist and then veer sharply in front of forcing you to jam on your brakes to avoid injury
  • It will be legal to ride a bike on the public road at less than the minimum speed
  • It will be legal for a driver to pass a bicyclist when it is safe to do so by crossing over a double line

It's now up to the Pennsylvania Senate to pass HB170 with no amendments. If you are a Pennsylvania resident, please send a letter today to your state senator and follow up with a phone call to their office. Take action to help make Pennsylvania's roads safer for bicycling.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Vote For Philly's Dirtiest Bike Lanes!

Bike lanes are, of course, wonderful.  But like any street space, they gather debris.  Leaves, broken glass, Eagles ticket stubs angrily thrown from car windows, and other detritus can make bike lanes difficult to navigate or downright dangerous.

We want to know your experience with Philadelphia's bike lane cleanliness.  We've created a short survey designed to gather Philly bicyclists' experiences about our (existing) bike lanes.

Fill out the 10-question survey here.

We will use your answers to inform our advocacy work, and we'll publish the answers next week. Enter your e-mail address if you wish at the end, and three such respondents will win one of our totally sweet orange I Bike PHL t-shirts.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Correction - Philadelphia Cycling Committee Meeting Cancelled. Learn about the Reading Viaduct instead.

Tonight's Philadelphia Cycling Committee Meeting will not be held in order for us to attend a presentation at the Academy of Natural Sciences - Philadelphia's Reading Viaduct: An Elevated Park Connecting Neighborhoods.

Learn about the potential of converting an old elevated rail line into a park and perhaps a bikeway. Similar projects including Manhattan's High Line and La Promenade Plantee in Paris feature landscaped walking paths that exclude bicycle use.

The doors open at 6PM for refreshments with the presentations beginning at 6:30.


Philadelphia Cycling Committee Meeting Tonight

The next monthly Philadelphia City Cycling Committee will be at the Bicycle Coalition Office, 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 305, Tuesday, November, 15th 2011 at 6:30 - 8:00 PM (6:00 PM Pizza and Refreshments).

On the agenda for Tonight's meeting are updates on the 10th and 13th Street Pilot Bike Lanes, Spring Garden Street Greenway Project, Safe Streets for Healthy Neighborhoods, the Philadelphia Bicycle Navigational Signage Plan, Delaware River Trail Projects and a sneak peak of the Regional Trails Website.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Training Teachers Helps Safe Routes Philly Broaden Its Reach

Our Safe Routes Philly program promotes walking and biking as fun, healthy forms of transportation in Philadelphia's elementary schools. While we hold some school assemblies, we work primarily on a train-the-trainer model, providing teachers with free lessons, training, and resources. Training teachers to implement our pedestrian and bicycling safety lessons multiplies the impact our Community Representatives have in Philadelphia schools, creating a sustainable program and reaching more students without our direct involvement.

One of the most effective ways to get our programming into teachers' hands is through professional development workshops. Bringing teachers together with our Community Representatives allows teachers to ask questions, learn about our programming in a collaborative environment, and see how Safe Routes Philly fits into their respective classroom or gym.

Last year we held 7 professional development events in cooperation with the School District of Philadelphia. Last week, we held our first one of this academic year at Northeast High School during the School District of Philadelphia's Health and PE in-service day.

Megan Rosenbach leads a workshop on running a bicycle safety lesson
We ran two one-hour workshops, in which a combined total of 31 teachers participated. Megan Rosenbach, one of our Community Representatives, led the participating teachers through the PE lesson plans we've developed for teaching pedestrian safety (2nd grade) and bicycling safety (5th grade). Some teachers had already taught our lessons this year, while others had not heard of our program and came away with new lessons and materials. In all, it was an extremely effective morning, providing resources and training to 31 teachers who are now equipped to bring valuable pedestrian and bicycling safety lessons directly to their students.

If you would like to learn more about our Safe Routes Philly program, contact a Community Representative.

New Park and Trailhead Coming to Northeast Philly

Construction is about to begin on a tiny but important piece of the Delaware Riverfront Greenway in Northeast Philadelphia. The Delaware River City Corporation is creating a riverfront park on 4.5 acres of land immediately south of the Tacony Palmyra Bridge. Located in front of the Lardner’s Point Pump Station, the park will be known as Lardner's Point Park.

Lardner's Point Park will act as a gateway and trailhead for the Delaware Riverfront Greenway (an 11-mile section of the East Coast Greenway stretching from Allegheny Ave to Bucks County). The park will feature a river overlook and fishing pier, riparian edge restoration, new tidal wetlands, walking trails, a drinking fountain, and a restored riverbank forest area for picnicking and passive recreational activities. 

Construction is supposed to be completed in May 2012. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on November 21st at 9:00 AM.

A simple layout of Lardner's Point Park. The East Coast Greenway is represented by the solid black stripe across the park and the Tacony Palmyra Bridge footprint is represented by the faint parallel lines extending into the Delaware River.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Route 82 Bike Lane Plan Moves Forward

According to the Chester County Daily Local East Marlborough Township Officials have agreed to continue funding the final design of 1.1 miles bike lanes and 2 miles of sidewalk along Route 82 in the Unionville section of the Township.

While an isolated bike lane through a rural township might not seem like a priority, Route 82 hosts a large regional school complex along with several developments on the west side of the road. At the north end of the project the bike lane will terminate at a modern roundabout. Roundabouts are rare in Pennsylvania but these smaller cousins of the NJ traffic circle slow down cars, improve pedestrian safety and produce better traffic flows than signalized intersections. Route 82 may be seen as a model for complete streets in suburban/rural areas.

There are still many hurdles to clear. The region has a huge backlog (>$80 million) of bicycle and pedestrian projects that have been stuck in various stages of development for many reasons. And it remains to be seen if PENNDOT will require a Bicycle Occupancy Permit (BOP), which mandates that municipalities assume liability and maintenance of bike lanes on state roads. Let's keep our fingers crossed and if you live East Marlborough thank your Board of Supervisors for keeping this project alive.


View Route 82 Bike Lane Project in a larger map

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Details on Saturday's Memorial Service for Rob Stuart

For those who wish to attend Rob Stuart's memorial service, here are details:

Memorial Service
Saturday, November 12
3:00 PM
Trinity Memorial Church (shown on Google Maps as Trinity Center for Urban Life)
2212 Spruce Street, Philadelphia PA

Reception to follow at First Presbyterian Church at 21st and Walnut Streets.

Memorial Bicycle Ride
All are welcome to join Bicycle Coalition staff as we bike to the service from the Race Street entrance to the Schuylkill River Trail.  The bike ride leaves at 2:20 pm on Saturday.

Getting to Trinity Memorial Church:
20 minute walk from 30th Street Station (Amtrak and SEPTA)
Bicycle rack will be made available from Neighborhood Bike Works (no valet parking)
SEPTA bus #7 and 12
Auto parking available at Walnut Bridge Parking & Storage (200 S. 24th Street) or Patriot Parking Inc (2102 Sansom Street)

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Remember Your Trail Etiquette

Trail Etiquette sign from the
Cynwyd Heritage Trail
If you're reading this post, you probably already know that the Greater Philadelphia Region has some amazing trails for biking, running and walking. The most recent addition to our regional treasure trove is the Cynwyd Heritage Trail.

If you know that, then you also know that our trails are often crowded with others who also want to take advantage of these great resources. We all need to make sure everyone is able to have an enjoyable - and safe! - trail experience by following these tips for Trail Etiquette:

Etiquette for Cyclists

  • Be courteous- trails are for all users!
  • Keep right (except to pass)
  • Ring a bell or politely call out, "On your left!" when passing
  • Give ample room when passing, even if that involves slowing down until that is possible
  • Keep your speed down, enjoy the view, and keep an eye out for posted speed limits
  • Stay single file during busy times
  • Yield right-of-way to other trail users - remember that runners and pedestrians are more vulnerable trail users
Etiquette for All Users
  • Abide by posted trail signs
  • Keep right, walk no more than two abreast
  • Stay alert - faster trail users need to pass
  • When stopped, step off the trail
  • Keep dogs on a leash and clean up after your dog
  • Share the trail; be considerate of all users
Want to learn more or pass information along to your friends and family? Here is a copy of a Trail Etiquette handout you can download or print.

What are some other tips for etiquette that you think are important?

Results of the 13th Street Bike Lane Pilot Study: Bike Lanes Should Remain

Last Wednesday, the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities presented the results of the 13th Street bike lane pilot project. The City presented its findings to a quiet room at the Gershman Y, the media circus and outrage that surrounded the Spruce and Pine bike lane public meetings noticeably absent.

The results of the test were overwhelmingly positive. A striking statistic announced at the meeting: bicycles make up 23% of the AM rush hour traffic on 13th at Walnut Street. The City also reported on several issues which need addressing. The main one is the intersection at Market Street, which is problematic due to the mixture of the bike lane, right turns, and the layover location for the #124 and #125 express buses. The City's solution will be to not mark the bike lane through this intersection. We recommended painting sharrows to guide cyclists and drivers through that complicated intersection.

13th Street is currently milled and awaiting resurfacing later this week, with line painting expected to take place shortly thereafter. While there is no final word on the permanence of the 13th Street bike lane, the report from the pilot recommends that the bike lane remain.


Results of 13th Street Bike Lane Pilot Study



Monday, November 07, 2011

Support Bike Lanes By Shopping Chinatown

And there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth...
This Saturday was an important turning point in the ongoing conversation about bicycling's role in Philadelphia. On Saturday, the Streets Department laid down the 10th Street pilot bike lane between Spring Garden and Market Street. This finishes the 10th Street lane between Spring Garden and Lombard, giving bicyclists a much-needed southbound route through Center City.

Why is Saturday important? Because there is now a bike lane through Chinatown. Until Saturday, there was only a plan for a bike lane through Chinatown. The difference? Real bike lanes generate data (imaginary bike lanes generate rage). The City will evaluate the lane over the next few months to determine its effectiveness as a bike route and its impact upon traffic flow.

What can you, Philadelphia bicyclists, do? You can show your support for such bike lanes by eating and shopping in Chinatown. The City will be watching for the hypothetical traffic disaster predicted by armchair traffic engineers, but Chinatown business owners will be studying numbers as well. Much of the opposition to the lane is based on the unfounded belief that removing a car lane is bad for business. Studies have found the opposite to be true. Should Chinatown businesses grow due to the bike lane, that will be an incredibly powerful motivator for future improvements in bicycling infrastructure.

Chinatown's many retail stores and (delicious) restaurants are just as easy to visit by bicycle as by car (probably easier). The neighborhood around Chinatown already has one of the highest bicycling rates in Philadelphia. We are optimistic. So patronize Chinatown by bicycle and prove that bicyclists are consumers not to be overlooked. The City just made it much more convenient for you to do so.

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Ben Franklin Bridge North Walkway Open Nov. 7 - 9

The South Walkway of the Ben Franklin will closed from Monday November 7th to Wednesday November 9th. The North Walkway will be open during the closure. The 5th Street tunnel in Camden is still closed for renovation use the 6th Street Tunnel or 3rd Street if you want to get south of the bridge.

Walkway hours are 6AM to 8PM.


View North Walkway Alternate Routes to Downtown Camden in a larger map

Friday, November 04, 2011

Montgomery Co. Commissioner Candidates Shapiro/Richards's Responses to Our Bicycling Questionnaire

Here are the responses to our bicycling-issues questionnaire from the Josh Shapiro/Leslie Richards campaign for Montgomery County Commissioner. Their answers follow each bolded question.

Montgomery CountyCommissioner Candidate Questionnaire - October 2011

Over the last decade, significant numbers of residents in suburbanPhiladelphia have switched over to using their bike to commute to work. Between 2000 and 2009, the percentage of bikecommuters grew by 488% in Chester County, 126% in Delaware County, 84% inMontgomery County and 67% in Bucks.

Despite this growth, bicycle facilities in these counties havelagged behind Philadelphia. An onerousPennDOT regulation called the Bicycle Occupancy Permit (BOP) causesmunicipalities to be unwilling to agree to allow bike lanes on stateroads. Consequently, there are only 14miles of bike lanes in the four counties, as opposed to over 200 inPhiladelphia. The Bicycle Coalition is working to remove this regulatoryobstacle to help promote the development of more bicycle facilities in suburbancounties.

1. Would you support completing the region’s Trail Network by funding projects that would complete the Schuylkill River Trail and Cross County Trail in Montgomery County?

Absolutely, and we would add the Chester Valley Trail to that list as well. The current budget situation in Montgomery County will present challenges, but one of the most recognizable and most appreciated of county services in Montgomery County is the trail system. As we will with many different issues, we will seek innovative ways to find the dollars necessary to keep these projects moving forward, including public/private partnerships. In Montgomery County the Schuylkill River Trail is nearly complete with two relatively small sections in the Pottstown areas that need to be completed. That together with a path along the Mont Clare Canal will essentially finish the trail in Montgomery County.

We believe the Chester Valley Trail is another important project that due to the high population and commercial areas it traverses. Chester County is making steady progress on its section of the trial, and Montgomery County has acquired much of the right of way necessary to complete the project and design work is underway.

Unfortunately, the Cross County Trail has been hobbled by a series of problems, not the least of which is the lack of cooperation from Norfolk and Southern Railroad. Planners have now identified much of the alternate routing necessary, but a significant amount of money is still needed to complete the infrastructure. Nevertheless, we are committed to finding ways to raise the money necessary to complete this critically important trail.

Many of these projects depend upon cooperation between different levels of government. A Shapiro Richards administration will have one senior level person in the commissioners responsible for improving communications with Members of Congress, county legislators and local municipalities to help ensure that opportunities for legislation and funding are not squandered. Where appropriate, our administration will work with organizations like the Bicycle Coalition to coordinate advocacy efforts.
2. Would you support devoting more federal and state transportation funds to bicycle and pedestrian projects?

Yes.

3. Would you support implementation the 1995 Montgomery County bicycle/pedestrian plan through PennDOT’s resurfacing projects?

Yes, we would. PennDOT has presented major problems in this area due to the BOP. This, as you explain in your letter, has made it very difficult to implement bike lanes throughout the suburbs. We would want to make sure that the 1995 is up-to-date, but we certainly support implementing the plan, and would use our legislative advocacy person in the commissioners’ office to convince PennDOT to revise its BOP policy and be more bicycle-friendly.

NOTE 1: One other point we would like to make is that it is our intention to implement a policy that will make it more attractive for county employees to commute to work by bike.

NOTE 2: Leslie Richards is a senior project manager at a woman-owned civil engineering firm, and she is well aware of the advantages of providing a bicycle-friendly environment. The majority of her bridge projects include pedestrian/bicycle walkways. On one of her projects, bicyclists were provided a shuttle service during construction so that they could safely cross the bridge while the pedestrian/bicycle walkway was being rehabilitated.

Delaware Co. Council Candidate Jayne Young's Responses to Our Bicycling Questionnaire

Here are Jayne Young's responses to our bicycling-issues questionnaire. She is running for Delaware County Council. Her answers are underlined.

Delaware County Council Candidate Questionnaire - October 2011
Over the last decade, significant numbers of residents in suburban Philadelphia have switched over to using their bike to commute to work. Between 2000 and 2009, the percentage of bike commuters grew by 488% in Chester County, 126% in Delaware County, 84% in Montgomery County and 67% in Bucks.

Despite this growth, bicycle facilities in these counties have lagged behind in Philadelphia. An onerous PennDOT regulation called the Bicycle Occupancy Permit (BOP) causes municipalities to be unwilling to agree to allow bike lanes on state roads. Consequently, there are only 14 miles of bike lanes in the four counties, as opposed to over 200 in Philadelphia. The Bicycle Coalition is working to remove this regulatory obstacle to help promote the development of more bicycle facilities in suburban counties.

1. Would you support completing the region’s Trail Network by funding projects that would complete the East Coast Greenway and the Chester Creek Trail in Delaware County and study the Valley Forge to Heinz Refuge Trail?

Yes. I am a proponent of bicycle trails and have participated in the planning and development of recreational bike and pedestrian trails. We have added sharrows to some roads to show this support of biking. I come from a place where pedestrian and bike travel are encouraged. Lansdowne is committed to improving these forms of transportation. Our part of the county is dense and car travel often results in traffic congestion. Encouraging bike travel with appropriate street markings and handy bike racks could have a positive impact not only on the environment and health of participants but on the economic revitalization effort as well. When people bicycle or walk throughout the county they actually see things motorists miss. Businesses would benefit from increased bike and pedestrian travel through increased visibility. I would support duplicating Lansdowne’s effort throughout the county where ever appropriate. The value of multi modal travel much exceeds any potential liability foreshadowed by the Bicycle Occupancy Permit.( a frivolous piece of legislation)

2. Would you support devoting more federal and state transportation funds to bicycle and pedestrian projects?

Absolutely, pedestrian and bike travel improvements will positively impact the environment and the economy. I believe in the concept of “Complete the Streets”. All forms of transportation should be able to share our streets. Every effort should be made to offer alternatives where appropriate and where it can be done in a safe manner. Supporting multi modal transportation takes into account the variety of transportation methods available and encourages better use of resources. PennDot administers the federal funding for the “Safe Routes to Schools” program. Any infrastructure improvement that makes it safer for children to walk or bike to school improves conditions for all citizens. As a member of County Council I would encourage our many school districts to explore this funding source to make bike and pedestrian travel safer for all.

3. Would you support implementing the Delaware County bicycle plan through PennDOT’s resurfacing projects?

Yes. When projects from the Transportation Improvement Plan come to the shovel ready stage is the time to step in and include bicycle traffic. Transportation Enhancement funding should sought for bicycle/ pedestrian projects Bicycle and pedestrian travel should be encouraged through the creation of safe trails. The Delco Bicycle Plan is an achievable project with the support of municipal and county decision makers committed to this vision. The visual promotion of bike and pedestrian travel will do much to encourage others to adopt those means of travel when ever they can. Reduced car congestion is just one outcome; overall improvement of public health would also be a benefit. County Council is in a position to encourage municipal partnerships with PennDot. Any resurfacing projects scheduled in the county should factor in the bicycle plan to make the best use of resources.

Delaware Co. Council Candidate Keith Collins's Responses to Our Bicycling Questionnaire

Here are Keith Collins's responses to our bicycling-issues questionnaire. He is running for Delaware County Council. His answers are underlined.

Delaware County CouncilCandidate Questionnaire - October 2011
Over the last decade, significant numbers of residents in suburbanPhiladelphia have switched over to using their bike to commute to work. Between 2000 and 2009, the percentage of bikecommuters grew by 488% in Chester County, 126% in Delaware County, 84% inMontgomery County and 67% in Bucks.

Despite this growth, bicycle facilities in these counties havelagged behind in Philadelphia. Anonerous PennDOT regulation called the Bicycle Occupancy Permit (BOP) causesmunicipalities to be unwilling to agree to allow bike lanes on stateroads. Consequently, there are only 14miles of bike lanes in the four counties, as opposed to over 200 inPhiladelphia. The Bicycle Coalition isworking to remove this regulatory obstacle to help promote the development ofmore bicycle facilities in suburban counties.

1. Would you support completing the region’s Trail Network by funding projects that would complete the East Coast Greenway and the Chester Creek Trail in Delaware County and study the Valley Forge to Heinz Refuge Trail?

As a marathon runner and cyclist I know the value both personally and environmentally to expanding efforts to produce more bike friendly roads and trails. As a candidate for Delaware County Council I can state without reservation that I support these efforts.

2. Would you support devoting more federal and state transportation funds to bicycle and pedestrian projects?

Without question I support this initiative.

3. Would you support implementing the Delaware County bicycle plan through PennDOT’s resurfacing projects?

Without question yes I support this proposal.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Chester Co. Commissioner Terence Farrell's Responses to Our Bicycling Questionnaire

Below is Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell's response to our questionnaire about bicycling-related issues. He is running for re-election. His answers are underlined below.

Chester CountyCommissioner Candidate Questionnaire - October 2011
Over the last decade, significant numbers of residents in suburbanPhiladelphia have switched over to using their bike to commute to work. Between 2000 and 2009, the percentage of bikecommuters grew by 488% in Chester County, 126% in Delaware County, 84% inMontgomery County and 67% in Bucks.

Despite this growth, bicycle facilities in these counties havelagged behind in Philadelphia. Anonerous PennDOT regulation called the Bicycle Occupancy Permit (BOP) causesmunicipalities to be unwilling to agree to allow bike lanes on stateroads. Consequently, there are only 14miles of bike lanes in the four counties, as opposed to over 200 inPhiladelphia. The Bicycle Coalition isworking to remove this regulatory obstacle to help promote the development ofmore bicycle facilities in suburban counties.

1. Would you support completing the region's Trail Network by funding projects that would complete the Chester Valley Trail and Schuylkill River Trail in Chester County?

As a Chester County Commissioner, I have supported funding for the Chester Valley and Schuylkill River Trails, even when PennDOT did not. Going forward, I plan to continue to support funding for these trails to the best of the county's financial ability.

2. Would you support devoting more federal and state transportation funds to bicycle and pedestrian projects?

If Washington and Harrisburg are able to forward more funding for these projects, I would be supportive of it.

3. Would you support funding a Countywidebicycle plan and its implementation through PennDOT resurfacing projects?

I would consider such a plan, and I would like to hear more details.

Philadelphia Councilman Bill Greenlee's Response to Our Bicycling Questionnaire

Here are Philadelphia City Councilman Bill Greenlee's responses to our bicycling-issues questionnaire. His answers are underlined.

1. Would you supportthe installation of innovative infrastructure such as buffered bike lanes, likethose on Spruce and Pine, on a select number of streets to create a citywidebicycle network that is safe and inviting to ride for those from age 8 to 80?
The Bicycle Coalition has documentedincreases in bicycling significantly when buffered bike lanes were installed onSpruce, Pine, 13th and 10th Streets. In addition, sidewalk riding and wrong wayriding decreased. Buffered bike lanes onSpruce and Pine have also calmed traffic, reducing significant crashes by 45%.

I support bike lanes when they are safe and where communities are directly involved in the process. I believe there are streets where bike lanes are not safe for bikers, pedestrians and drivers. For example, at least part of 10th Street (in Chinatown) would appear not to be safe for such lanes.

2. Would you support reforming theCity's Traffic code to make it conform with state traffic laws and nationalbest practices regarding bicyclists?
Several sections of the City’sTraffic Code are out of date and do not comply with state traffic laws. Theyinclude a prohibition of bicycles in the street if there is a sidepathavailable, a prohibition of two people riding abreast, and no languageprotecting cyclists if hit by a car door that is opened in the travel lane.

I would be willing to discuss the changes in the traffic code to conform to state law where necessary.

3. Would you support the City ofPhiladelphia issuing a Request for Proposals for a Public Bike Share systemwithin the first year of your term?
Many other east coast cities haveeither started, signed contracts or issued Request for Proposals (RFPs) forpublic bike share programs, including New York City, Washington DC, Baltimoreand Boston. The City of Philadelphia could issue a RFP to invite bikeshare operators to propose how they would finance and operate a bike sharesystem in Philly.

I support the bike share program and would support the city issuing an RFP for a bike operator for a bike share program in Philadelphia.

4. Would you support creating a Task Force to review theCity's annual resurfacing and paving plans to identify opportunities to makeimprovements for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders?
The City’s annual resurfacingprogram is the best opportunity to install new bike lanes and other treatmentsto make streets complete and safer for all users. The Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan recommends reconveningthe Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Task Force to monitor progress on theimplementation of physical improvements to city streets and sidewalks.

I would support the creation of a task force where affected communities members would serve and be engaged in the process In addition to the “experts” to determine the safety of such resurfacing and paving plans.

5. Would you support increasing the Streets Department’sbudget in order to add engineering staff to make our streets safer for allusers and more convenient for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders?
The Transportation EngineeringDivision of the Streets Department has suffered considerable budget cuts andloss of staff over the past fifteen years. Additional engineering resources are needed to develop plans to conducttraffic studies and design innovative bicycle and pedestrian facilities forPhiladelphia’s streets.

I would not commit to supporting increased funding for any departmental budget under the present economic climate until we look at the city budget as a whole.

6. Would you support installation of more red light cameras to increasesafety at more intersections in Philadelphia?


I support more red light camera where appropriate and if the funding is available. I believe bicyclist should also abide by red light regulations.

7. Wouldyou support all-day closures of Martin Luther King Drive to through traffic,while continuing to allow auto access to the upper drive parking areas?
Theopening of the Schuylkill Trail from Locust Street to Martin Luther King(formerly West River) Drive has created a new and unique opportunity to makethe west bank of the Schuylkill River a six-mile recreation corridor onweekends between April and October. Tragically, the decision made in 1997 tore-open the lower half of the road to automotive traffic after Noon hasresulted in a number of crashes at Sweet Briar Road. A five-year-old child waskilled in 2006 when a reckless driver sped through the gate at Sweet Briar.Closing the gate at the Art Museum from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. would ensure that atleast one portion of the park’s road system is reserved for recreation onweekends.


I am open to discussing the pros and cons of extending MLK Drive closures.

Political Candidates' Answers to Our Bicycling Survey

Ahead of next week's elections, we mailed candidates a questionnaire asking them about their position on various bicycling-related issues (relevant to their region). We sent surveys to all candidates entered in the following races:

  • Philadelphia Mayor
  • Philadelphia City Council
  • Bucks County Commissioner
  • Chester County Commissioner
  • Delaware County Council
  • Montgomery County Commissioner

Over the next few days, we will post the responses we've received. First off is Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter's response to our questionnaire (his responses are underlined):

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Rand Paul's Attack On Bike/Ped Funding Defeated In Senate

They attacked again, and again safety and forward thinking prevailed.

Senator Rand Paul (R-Cars)'s plan to scrap the Transportation Enhancements program was defeated Tuesday by a 60-38 vote. Thank you to everyone who contacted your senators and urged them to vote against this backward-thinking, regressive bill.

Unfortunately, this will likely not be the last time members of Congress attack federal funding for bicycling and pedestrian improvements. We will keep you informed so you can help us drag members of Congress, kicking and screaming, into a future where pedestrians and bicyclists are safer.

The Boston Globe has an article about the vote, and some of the misinformation which was fueling arguments for ending the Transportation Enhancements program.

The League of American Bicyclists posted a recap and includes who voted how

[Update: 4:15 pm: A previous version of this post stated that Pennsylvania's two senators voted along party lines. Sen. Casey voted against the measure, and Sen. Toomey voted for it. Party lines, however, is an inaccurate method of recapping the vote. While no Democrats or Independents voted in favor of the bill, seven Republicans and one Independent voted against it. ~NM]

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Volunteer Opportunity: Help Us Finish Our Bike Counts!

Count von Count is on vacation at the
US Census Bureau. His column returns
next week.
We are wrapping up our annual bike counts, but we could still use a few more volunteers this week and next!

What are bike counts? We stake out key intersections during the morning and evening commutes and count bikes. We also look for bad behavior like sidewalk and wrong-way riding, and we track gender and helmet stats. Each bike count takes 90 minutes and won't happen if it's raining or snowing.

Why do this?

  • We'll give you one of our sweet Halloween-orange I Bike PHL t-shirts for your help.
  • This data is critical to our research, deepening our understanding of how Philadelphia bikes and informing our advocacy.
  • Standing on a street corner with a clipboard gives you an enjoyable feeling of authority. It also makes you look like a canvasser, which means people are uncomfortable around you until they realize you're not asking them if they have one minute to talk about whale children's rights to unionize in rain forests.

Interested? Contact Nicholas at nicholas@bicyclecoalition.org or by phone (215-BICYCLE ext 311) to set up a time. Volunteers will score one of our Halloween-orange I Bike PHL t-shirts.

Not Too Late For Your PA School To Apply For Walking or Biking Grant


Pennsylvania elementary schools (K-8) interested in getting their children walking and biking to and from school should consider applying to a grant made available by the Pennsylvania Safe Routes to School Resource Center. If you have questions or need help with the application process, you can contact our Safe Routes Philly Community Representatives. The deadline is November 15th.

Details on the grants below:

WHAT: Noninfrastructure grants up to $10,000 each are available from the Pennsylvania Safe Routes to School Resource Center for walking and biking-related items and activities targeting students in kindergarten through eighth grade. This is for nonconstruction activities that support and enhance Safe Routes to School projects. The funded activities must address one or more of the first four Es of Safe Routes to School: Education, Encouragement, Evaluation, and/or Enforcement.

Grant recipients are also eligible to receive a walkability audit. Walkability audits are a key planning tool that provides schools with the technical assistance necessary to assess walking and biking conditions around the school and create a plan for improving them.

WHO: Schools or school districts in Pennsylvania.

WHEN:
 Deadline to apply for a grant is by 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 15.


WHERE: Go to the Pennsylvania Safe Routes to School Resource Center website at www.saferoutespa.org/noninfrastructure-grants to view the grant guidelines and obtain an online application.

WHY: Noninfrastructure grants can help to create safer routes to school and encourage more children to walk and bike to school. And, by participating in a walkability audit, schools are taking an important first step in making their communities safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

For more information about Safe Routes to School Noninfrastructure Grants, contact the Pennsylvania Safe Routes to School Resource Center at www.saferoutespa.orginfo@saferoutespa.org, or (717) 763-0930 (ask for Safe Routes).