Neighborhood Bike Works is looking for a part-time bookkeeper. If you are a bookkeeper and are interested in the position, contact NBW Executive Director Erin DeCou at erin@neighborhoodbikeworks.org
Here are a list of job requirements and responsibilities:
This is the legacy blog of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. It is an archive of posts from 2003 to 2014. Making your ride better since 1972. https://www.bicyclecoalition.org
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
From Our Education Dept: Empowering Students to Improve Their Communities
For the past two summers, the Bicycle Coalition has been proud to partner with Boat People SOS – a national Vietnamese-American community organization with a thriving Delaware Valley branch – for their Summer Youth Bike and Environmental Program (SYBEP). The program, designed to educate and empower youth around issues of environmental justice, was a tremendous success this year! Minh Nguyen from the Asian Youth Empowerment Project developed the six-week program, which involved 25 youth, four program coordinators, the Bicycle Coalition, and Neighborhood Bike Works.
The youth, whose backgrounds spanned a variety of cultures, languages, and neighborhoods, learned about environmental justice issues, explored the city on bike expeditions led by Bicycle Coalition staff, learned bike maintenance from Neighborhood Bike Works’ Joseph Tirella, and developed their own community projects about biking, community gardens, and pollution. SYBEP students worked with the Bicycle Coalition to teach our summer Learn-to-Ride classes, where dozens of Philly youth learned to ride a bike! Their hard work even secured them first place at the Philadelphia Youth Network’s Expo in the “Saving the Environment/Going Green” category.
The youth, whose backgrounds spanned a variety of cultures, languages, and neighborhoods, learned about environmental justice issues, explored the city on bike expeditions led by Bicycle Coalition staff, learned bike maintenance from Neighborhood Bike Works’ Joseph Tirella, and developed their own community projects about biking, community gardens, and pollution. SYBEP students worked with the Bicycle Coalition to teach our summer Learn-to-Ride classes, where dozens of Philly youth learned to ride a bike! Their hard work even secured them first place at the Philadelphia Youth Network’s Expo in the “Saving the Environment/Going Green” category.
Next Wed: Sign Up For Bike Counts & Pepper The Mayor's Office With Your Questions
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| Oliver wishes to know: when the Delaware River get bike lanes? |
This is our most popular volunteer activity (well, #2 after staffing our baby penguin tickling station - next location TBD). The more volunteers we have, the greater number of intersections we can count!
To participate, you need to come to a volunteer training night. The next one is coming up next week.
Wednesday, September 5th
1500 Walnut Street, 2nd floor conference room
Philadelphia, PA 19102
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Questions? katie@bicyclecoalition.org
Stick around because from 7-8pm we'll have a special guest: Aaron Ritz, Philadelphia's Active Transportation Coordinator. He will talk about the latest bike-friendly developments in the city and take your questions.
Lastly, a note: we mourn the passing of Jerry Nelson, who voiced the beloved Count von Count, our guest blogger from last year.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Three of Eight In-Street Bike Corrals Installed In Philadelphia
People in perpetual search for bike parking received exciting news recently with the City's announcement of the installation of three bike corrals. They are three of eight scheduled for installation over the next two weeks (some are pending City Council approval):
Already Installed
Coming Soon
The Mayor's Office of Transportation solicited applications from local businesses and received eight completed applications. Huge thanks are due to Aaron Ritz at the Mayor's Office of Transportation, MOTU's contractor J. Fletcher Creamer, and the Streets Department for working together to make this project happen. And of course, a big thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy for making an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to the Mayor's Office of Sustainability through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that made this project possible!
Below are some photos of the recent installations:
Already Installed
- Filbert St in front of Reading Terminal Market
- South St in front of Whole Foods Market (betw 9th & 10th)
- South St in front of Tattooed Mom's Bar (betw 5th & 6th)
Coming Soon
- Baltimore Ave in front of Mariposa Co-op (betw 48th & 49th)
- Chestnut St in front of Drinker's Pub (betw 19th & 20th)
- Front & Thompson St in front of Kung Fu Necktie
- Girard Ave in front of Johnny Brenda's (at Frankford Ave intersection)
- 10th & Cherry in front of Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
The Mayor's Office of Transportation solicited applications from local businesses and received eight completed applications. Huge thanks are due to Aaron Ritz at the Mayor's Office of Transportation, MOTU's contractor J. Fletcher Creamer, and the Streets Department for working together to make this project happen. And of course, a big thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy for making an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to the Mayor's Office of Sustainability through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that made this project possible!
Below are some photos of the recent installations:
Friday, August 24, 2012
Suburban Workshop This Thursday: Helping Your Students or Children Get To School Safely
Sadly, our children today are less likely to walk or bike to school than their parents' generation. However, efforts from groups like the National Center for Safe Routes to School are starting to reverse that trend.
Want to help your school become more walk and bike friendly? Participate in our upcoming evening workshop!
Date: Thursday, August 30th
Place: Doylestown Library - 150 S. Pine Street, Doylestown PA, 18901
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Register online here
Aimed at both parents and educators, this workshop will give you information, tools, and resources to improve your local school's walking and biking environment. We will teach you how to apply for funding, advocate for infrastructure changes, and work with local schools on encouragement and education activities.
Questions? Contact Diana at diana@bicyclecoalition.org.
Charles Carmalt of the Mayor's Office Answers Questions About the Walnut Street Bike Lane
Question: Truly separated bike lane
Why not take a cue from NYC and swap the bike lane and the parking lane, creating a safer bike lane buffered from traffic by a lane of parked cars? This would make the lane safer, and prevent cars from blocking it by stopping or parking in the bike lane.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Springfield Cyclist Killed By PECO Utility Truck Near Glen Mills
The News of Delaware County reports that a 63 year-old man from Springfield Township was killed on Tuesday afternoon while riding his bicycle on Creek Rd in Thornbury Township.
The article states that the cyclist ran into a PECO Utility Truck. The road was closed at the time due to a power line that was brought down by a fallen tree. We will amend this post as we learn more details about this tragedy.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the victim's family.
View PA/NJ Bicycle Crashes 2011-2012 in a larger map
UPDATE: The victim has been identified as James Patrick Diskin III, his obituary is here.
The article states that the cyclist ran into a PECO Utility Truck. The road was closed at the time due to a power line that was brought down by a fallen tree. We will amend this post as we learn more details about this tragedy.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the victim's family.
View PA/NJ Bicycle Crashes 2011-2012 in a larger map
UPDATE: The victim has been identified as James Patrick Diskin III, his obituary is here.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Philadelphia Neighborhoods Support In-Street Bike Parking
Over the past week, two civic associations held meetings in Fishtown and Kensington to consider the installation of in-street bike corrals. Both meetings resulted in resounding votes of approval for both applications: one in front of Kung Fu Necktie, and one in front of Johnny Brenda's.
Both businesses applied for the corrals under a program offered by the City of Philadelphia. Per the application process, interested businesses had to get the approval of their City Council rep. Councilman Darrell Clarke told KFN and Johnny Brenda's to seek the approval of their civic associations.
Now these businesses have that support, and it's Councilman Clarke's turn to give his approval to the corrals' installation.
Compliments are in order to Kung Fu Necktie and Johnny Brenda's for engaging their communities and making their businesses more accessible to customers. Bike parking is a problem for both joints, leading bicycles to be locked to everything in sight but the stray cats. These corrals will help alleviate that problem, while lessening demand on car parking by encouraging customers to shop by bike.
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| The corrals will be 6 U-racks on rails, similar to this. |
Now these businesses have that support, and it's Councilman Clarke's turn to give his approval to the corrals' installation.
Compliments are in order to Kung Fu Necktie and Johnny Brenda's for engaging their communities and making their businesses more accessible to customers. Bike parking is a problem for both joints, leading bicycles to be locked to everything in sight but the stray cats. These corrals will help alleviate that problem, while lessening demand on car parking by encouraging customers to shop by bike.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Walnut Street To Get A Left Hand Buffered Bike Lane
An exciting (sorta) new bike lane is close to making its grand appearance in Philadelphia. PennDOT is repaving Walnut Street from end to end (Front Street to Cobbs Creek Parkway) this month. Paving is already underway and the Streets Department forecasts the completion of the paving project by the end of September. When finished, we will have a buffered bike lane on the left-hand side of the street, from 22nd Street to 63rd Street.
Walnut Street has some of the highest bicycle volumes in the City. It is a major east-to-west thoroughfare and is heavily used by UPenn and Drexel, two communities that tilt more bicycle-heavy. The old, narrow right hand bike lane beginning at 22nd Street created many conflicts with buses and frequent driver-side door conflicts, so this repaving project was a big opportunity to make major improvements for people on bikes.
In January 2012, we suggested to the Streets Department that they ask PennDOT to paint a left hand buffered bike lane to replace the existing right hand bike lane. Putting the lane on the left will remove bicycle-bus conflicts, and decrease the chance of dooring by placing the lane on cars' passenger side. A new buffered bike lane would complement the investment being made in the Walnut Bridge Gateway to make that section of Walnut Street friendlier and safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. Extending it all the way to Cobbs would make a safe connection between the Schuylkill River Trail and Cobbs Creek Trail and enhance safety in an underserved neighborhood.
What to expect
Walnut Street has some of the highest bicycle volumes in the City. It is a major east-to-west thoroughfare and is heavily used by UPenn and Drexel, two communities that tilt more bicycle-heavy. The old, narrow right hand bike lane beginning at 22nd Street created many conflicts with buses and frequent driver-side door conflicts, so this repaving project was a big opportunity to make major improvements for people on bikes.
In January 2012, we suggested to the Streets Department that they ask PennDOT to paint a left hand buffered bike lane to replace the existing right hand bike lane. Putting the lane on the left will remove bicycle-bus conflicts, and decrease the chance of dooring by placing the lane on cars' passenger side. A new buffered bike lane would complement the investment being made in the Walnut Bridge Gateway to make that section of Walnut Street friendlier and safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. Extending it all the way to Cobbs would make a safe connection between the Schuylkill River Trail and Cobbs Creek Trail and enhance safety in an underserved neighborhood.
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| Schematic of Philly's first left-hand buffered bike lane next to a parking lane |
What to expect
Reminder: Fishtowners Can Vote On Johnny Brenda's Bike Corral Application Tonight at 7pm
The headline pretty much says it all. Residents and business owners in Fishtown are eligible to vote at a meeting of the Fishtown Neighbor's Association tonight. The question at hand is whether to support JB's request for an in-street bike corral facility.
Johnny Brenda's Vote
Date: Tonight, August 21st
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Fishtown Rec Center, 1202 E. Montgomery Ave
Eligible to vote: All residents and business owners in Fishtown*
To bring: proof of residence or business ownership in Fishtown (utility bill or recent mail if your driver's license doesn't list your home address)
Fishtown Neighbor's Association meeting info
Obviously, we think this is one of those win-win-win-win type situations.
We encourage people who support bicycling and economic development in that neighborhood to attend and vote to support the application. This corral will increase bike parking, encourage customers to arrive by bicycle, and will help show the wider Philly business community that customers arrive by bike.
Remember to be courteous to all perspectives voiced at the meeting. And show up: positive change doesn't happen without people speaking up and voting for it.
*Fishtown boundaries, as defined by the FNA are the Delaware River to Laurel Street, Laurel to Front Street, Front to Norris Street, Norris to Trenton Street, Trenton to Frankford Avenue, Frankford to York Street, and York to the Delaware River, including both sides of boundary streets.
Johnny Brenda's Vote
Date: Tonight, August 21st
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Fishtown Rec Center, 1202 E. Montgomery Ave
Eligible to vote: All residents and business owners in Fishtown*
To bring: proof of residence or business ownership in Fishtown (utility bill or recent mail if your driver's license doesn't list your home address)
Fishtown Neighbor's Association meeting info
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| Corral would look something like this |
We encourage people who support bicycling and economic development in that neighborhood to attend and vote to support the application. This corral will increase bike parking, encourage customers to arrive by bicycle, and will help show the wider Philly business community that customers arrive by bike.
Remember to be courteous to all perspectives voiced at the meeting. And show up: positive change doesn't happen without people speaking up and voting for it.
*Fishtown boundaries, as defined by the FNA are the Delaware River to Laurel Street, Laurel to Front Street, Front to Norris Street, Norris to Trenton Street, Trenton to Frankford Avenue, Frankford to York Street, and York to the Delaware River, including both sides of boundary streets.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Tell Governor Christie to Save Rec Trails Funding
From the Rails to Trails Conservency:
Save the Recreational Trails Program! The hugely popular, cost-efficient Recreational Trails Program (RTP) has endured multiple attacks over its 20-year history. Most recently, it faced elimination during the drafting of the new transportation bill MAP-21, but thankfully a bipartisan effort led by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) was successful in preserving the program.
But, there's a catch.
Governors can choose to opt out of the program for their state, thereby reallocating these funds to other programs that were not the intended recipients, and ultimately failing to invest in the critical programs your state needs to generate economic activity, attract tourists and encourage people to get outdoors and be active.
Governor Christie has until September 1st to decide if New Jersey will opt out of the Rec Trails Program. Meanwhile in Pennsylvania Governor Corbett has agreed to not opt out, let's follow suit in NJ.
Contact the Governor Today
Here is a list of 2010 projects using Rec Trails funding in New Jersey
Save the Recreational Trails Program! The hugely popular, cost-efficient Recreational Trails Program (RTP) has endured multiple attacks over its 20-year history. Most recently, it faced elimination during the drafting of the new transportation bill MAP-21, but thankfully a bipartisan effort led by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) was successful in preserving the program.
But, there's a catch.
Governors can choose to opt out of the program for their state, thereby reallocating these funds to other programs that were not the intended recipients, and ultimately failing to invest in the critical programs your state needs to generate economic activity, attract tourists and encourage people to get outdoors and be active.
Governor Christie has until September 1st to decide if New Jersey will opt out of the Rec Trails Program. Meanwhile in Pennsylvania Governor Corbett has agreed to not opt out, let's follow suit in NJ.
Contact the Governor Today
Here is a list of 2010 projects using Rec Trails funding in New Jersey
Comment On Philadelphia's Complete Streets Design Handbook
In June 2009 Mayor Michael Nutter signed a Complete Streets Executive Order. The Executive Order directs departments to take into account all road users in road reconstruction projects. While the City almost always constructs roads as complete streets, without proper guidance projects can slip through the cracks (such as the missing sidewalks on Health Sciences Drive in University City). Developers can also alter the right of way with add-ons such as ADA accessible ramps or parking lay by lanes.
The City has now taken the next step in implementation by releasing a draft version of the Philadelphia Complete Streets Design Handbook for public comment. The handbook spells out the City's standards for complete streets and will be used by City and State agency staff, design professionals, private developers, community groups, and others involved in the planning, design and operation of streets in Philadelphia.
The public comment period will close on October 1st. If your community is interested in learning more about how Complete Streets can benefit your area, you can request a briefing from the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities. All comments and questions should be directed to Ariel Ben-Amos at ariel.ben-amos@phila.gov.
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| Example cross section of a street meeting complete street standards |
The City has now taken the next step in implementation by releasing a draft version of the Philadelphia Complete Streets Design Handbook for public comment. The handbook spells out the City's standards for complete streets and will be used by City and State agency staff, design professionals, private developers, community groups, and others involved in the planning, design and operation of streets in Philadelphia.
The public comment period will close on October 1st. If your community is interested in learning more about how Complete Streets can benefit your area, you can request a briefing from the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities. All comments and questions should be directed to Ariel Ben-Amos at ariel.ben-amos@phila.gov.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Johnny Brenda's and Kung Fu Necktie Need Community Support To Get Bike Corrals
As we mentioned a while ago, the success of our bike corral has spurred the City of Philadelphia to offer in-street bike parking to interested businesses. Johnny Brenda's and Kung Fu Necktie are two businesses who have applied to obtain bike corrals,which would replace one vehicle parking spot with bike parking for 12 bicycles.
An important part of this process is to obtain letters of support from one's local civic association. The meetings to vote on that support are Wednesday, August 15th and Tuesday, August 21st. If you live in the Fishtown Neighborhood Association boundaries or within 1/4 mile of Kung Fu Necktie, and want to see a bike corral in front of Johnny Brenda's or KFN, please attend these meetings to voice your support!
This is a big deal. Bike corrals are important tools for economic development - replacing parking for one customer in a car with parking for 12 customers on bikes is a significant net gain. They are hugely popular in other cities. Getting these corrals installed will demonstrate to Philadelphia's wider business community that it is good for business to accommodate customers arrive by bike.
See details below about each meeting, where you need to live in order to vote, and what to bring to the meetings.
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| These forward-thinking businesses want bike corrals, but they need community support to get them |
This is a big deal. Bike corrals are important tools for economic development - replacing parking for one customer in a car with parking for 12 customers on bikes is a significant net gain. They are hugely popular in other cities. Getting these corrals installed will demonstrate to Philadelphia's wider business community that it is good for business to accommodate customers arrive by bike.
See details below about each meeting, where you need to live in order to vote, and what to bring to the meetings.
All (Bikes) Aboard The Atlantic City Line
On Saturday August 11th NJ TRANSIT will initiate a new weekend bike policy for the Atlantic City Line that will allow up to 12 bikes per train. The policy is also in effect for all rail lines in North Jersey that end in either Hoboken or Newark (trains that operate to/from New York have new weekend restrictions which will affect anyone taking their bike to Summer Streets).
If beaches, boardwalks and baccarat aren't your thing then there are plenty of other destinations along the way that are accessible by low traffic or wide shouldered roads:
If beaches, boardwalks and baccarat aren't your thing then there are plenty of other destinations along the way that are accessible by low traffic or wide shouldered roads:
- Forsythe Wildlife Refuge and the Noyes Museum
- Pleasantville to Ocean City Bikeway
- Tomasello and Renault Wineries
- Camping and Canoeing in the Pine Barrens
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| Street mural on Haven Ave, Ocean City Photo - Cross County Connection TMA on Flickr |
Monday, August 06, 2012
Job Opening - NJ Regional Safe Routes To School Coordinator
The Greater Mercer TMA based in Princeton Junction, NJ is looking for a full-time Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Coordinator. Through outreach and education, the coordinator will work to encourage more students to safely walk and bike to school.
The successful candidate will coordinate and implement activities for the SRTS program in Mercer and Ocean Counties.
These responsibilities will include:
The successful candidate will coordinate and implement activities for the SRTS program in Mercer and Ocean Counties.
These responsibilities will include:
- Attend all meetings and trainings as required by the grant
- Provide outreach to schools to bring them into the SRTS program
- Develop educational presentations and provide hands on assistance with educational events and preparing travel plans
- Effectively deliver training to various local groups
- Lead on-bike bicycle education efforts and possess knowledge of safe bicycling skills
- Maintain SRTS information and prepare SRTS reporting for grant
- Serve as main SRTS contact
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Excellent verbal and written skills
- Comfortable with public presentations
- Ability to work independently
- Comfortable working directly with school age children and school administrators
- LCI certification or willingness to become certified
- Ability to drive to various locations in Mercer and Ocean Counties
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Bucks County Planning Commission Bashes Their Own Bike Plan
According to this article in Phillyburbs.com, the Bucks County Planning Commission was presented a draft of the Bucks County Bicycle Plan on August 1st and apparently was met with scepticism and little support.
The writer of the article staked his perspective on the story with the first two sentences:
The plan is the result of a $80,000 project three years in the making and counting. The process included several public meetings and was put online for public comment and highlighted on our blog in March 2011. We don't quite understand why it took so long for the plan to be presented to the Commission, but the real disappointment was the battery of redundant, negative and irrelevant comments of planning commissioners amplified by the County's intention to not implement the plan.
Commissioner Nyman - “They’re ignoring the right of way. They’re not stopping at stop signs.”*
Commissioner Peirce - “If people on bicycles are breaking rules of the road, then how do we identify them?”
Executive Director Bush - "The county has no intention of building a bike trail or labeling any of those routes for cycling at this time".
So here we go again; when presented with a professionally prepared plan that focuses on infrastructure, individual commissioners take the opportunity to share their gripe with scofflaw cyclists. Was there any constructive criticism of the plan? Any positive input about livable communities? I have yet to see any governing body critique PENNDOT highway plans because motorists ignore speed limits and yield signs. I expect this level of conversation in the Phillyburbs comments section but not among a body that has charge over transportation and land use planning. It's even more disappointing because Bucks lags behind other suburban counties in terms of bicycle commuters, bike/ped projects and trail miles. Of all the counties, Bucks is the one that can least afford this kind of attitude.
What about motorists breaking the law? Route 413 in Plumstead Township where cyclist John Chapman was killed by a hit and run driver while standing off the side of the road in the Fall of 2011.
The article did not indicate whether a recommendation was made by the commission, although it does quote planner Dave Johnson who stated that the a final draft for County approval could be packaged as early this fall.
Bicycle facilities have scored very high on several municipal recreational and open space surveys (e.g. Plumstead Township) and have a high return on investment. Let's hope that Bucks County moves forward by adopting and implementing its bicycle plan.
*Note Commissioner Nyman has stated that he had been misquoted in the linked news article.
The writer of the article staked his perspective on the story with the first two sentences:
"It’s estimated that fewer than 1 percent of Bucks County residents get to work on a bicycle.
But that might be more than enough for the rest of us driving on the road."The plan is the result of a $80,000 project three years in the making and counting. The process included several public meetings and was put online for public comment and highlighted on our blog in March 2011. We don't quite understand why it took so long for the plan to be presented to the Commission, but the real disappointment was the battery of redundant, negative and irrelevant comments of planning commissioners amplified by the County's intention to not implement the plan.
Commissioner Nyman - “They’re ignoring the right of way. They’re not stopping at stop signs.”*
Commissioner Peirce - “If people on bicycles are breaking rules of the road, then how do we identify them?”
Executive Director Bush - "The county has no intention of building a bike trail or labeling any of those routes for cycling at this time".
So here we go again; when presented with a professionally prepared plan that focuses on infrastructure, individual commissioners take the opportunity to share their gripe with scofflaw cyclists. Was there any constructive criticism of the plan? Any positive input about livable communities? I have yet to see any governing body critique PENNDOT highway plans because motorists ignore speed limits and yield signs. I expect this level of conversation in the Phillyburbs comments section but not among a body that has charge over transportation and land use planning. It's even more disappointing because Bucks lags behind other suburban counties in terms of bicycle commuters, bike/ped projects and trail miles. Of all the counties, Bucks is the one that can least afford this kind of attitude.
What about motorists breaking the law? Route 413 in Plumstead Township where cyclist John Chapman was killed by a hit and run driver while standing off the side of the road in the Fall of 2011.
The article did not indicate whether a recommendation was made by the commission, although it does quote planner Dave Johnson who stated that the a final draft for County approval could be packaged as early this fall.
Bicycle facilities have scored very high on several municipal recreational and open space surveys (e.g. Plumstead Township) and have a high return on investment. Let's hope that Bucks County moves forward by adopting and implementing its bicycle plan.
*Note Commissioner Nyman has stated that he had been misquoted in the linked news article.
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Police Will Be Cracking Down On Unsafe Cycling In South Philly
This morning, the Philadelphia Daily News ran a story about the 3rd Police District's plans to crack down on illegal cycling behavior. Police will be issuing warnings until Labor Day, and then will switch to citations. This is part of the City's Give Respect, Get Respect campaign.
This is a good time to remind all cyclists that we belong in the street, following the rules of the road, and not on the sidewalk. Surprise yourself with the respect you will be shown if you treat pedestrians and drivers as entitled to safe navigation of our streetscapes. When you bike, you represent all bicyclists. Don't be a jerk. Drivers and pedestrians just want us to be predictable and respectful.
At the same time, be smart. We have all encountered drivers who believe (through ignorance or anger) that bicyclists belong on the sidewalk (or in absurd will.i.am music videos). Riding in the center of the lane on narrow South Philly streets is often safer than attempting to hug the side of the road, where you can get doored or struck by drivers attempting to squeeze past. If you feel threatened by an aggressive vehicle, pull into an empty parking spot and let them speed their way to the next red light. Remember that you're a happier person than they are, and thus you are already winning.
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| South Philly streets, such as 15th above, are narrow. Hugging the shoulder can be more dangerous than taking the lane. |
At the same time, be smart. We have all encountered drivers who believe (through ignorance or anger) that bicyclists belong on the sidewalk (or in absurd will.i.am music videos). Riding in the center of the lane on narrow South Philly streets is often safer than attempting to hug the side of the road, where you can get doored or struck by drivers attempting to squeeze past. If you feel threatened by an aggressive vehicle, pull into an empty parking spot and let them speed their way to the next red light. Remember that you're a happier person than they are, and thus you are already winning.
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