New Yield Signs at MLK Crosswalk

Today the Streets Department put up "Yield to Pedestrians Within Crosswalk" signs at MLK Drive. Two on the inbound side and one on the outbound side. They promise to install a second outbound sign in the near future.






























Photos: Russell Meddin

This is just a first step toward a safer MLK Dr and there is much more to be done.

In the past few days the Bicycle Coalition launched its Take Back the Drive Campaign. In addition the Mayor's Bicycle Ambassadors will be at the crosswalk location every Thursday afternoon in the month of June.

You can help support the campaign by buying a Take Back the Drive T-Shirt on Cafe Press

Father and Son Struck By Driver in SUV at MLK Crosswalk

A 4 year old boy is in Critical Condition at Children's Hospital after a man and a child on his tandem in the crosswalk at MLK Drive was struck by a driver in an SUV at the approach to the Spring Garden Street ramp.


















Photo - Breen Goodwin


From 6ABC -

PHILADELPHIA - May 21, 2009 (WPVI) -- Philadelphia Police are on the scene of an accident involving a man and his young son.

The accident occurred around 9:50 this morning on the inbound ramp to Martin Luther King Drive, just before the Benjamin Franklin Parkway merge.

A 29-year-old man and his 4-year-old son were riding their bike, crossing the street in the crosswalk. A vehicle approached, saw the two crossing and stopped. However, a second vehicle behind the first went around the stopped vehicle, hitting the father and son.

Read the rest of the story at 6ABC

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The Bicycle Coalition has been very concerned about the road and crosswalk conditions on MLK Drive. We have noted in previous posts (here, here, here and here) that speeding on MLK and Kelly Drives present a danger to bicyclists and pedestrians. BCGP has been working with the Streets Department to add measures to the crossing area and we expect that improvements will begin in a few weeks. Specifically, they will be installing "Yield to pedestrian" signs and will be narrowing the outbound travel lane. They are also planning to install a next generation flashing pedestrian warning beacons at the crossing (the bidding and contract process is expected to take about a year).

However, the real problem is the need to reduce vehicular speeds on MLK Drive. Options include soft rumble strips before the crossing in both lanes, Driver Feedback Signs (Your Speed) on the Drive and Police enforcement of the speed limit.

We hope to work with the city to implement these measures.

Changes coming to Spring Garden St and MLK Drive

We don't have the precise drawings but we are trying to give people an idea of what the configuration of the Spring Garden St switchback connection to MLK Drive will be.


View Larger Map

The big news is that Spring Garden and Art Museum Drive will be signalized, with a crosswalk allowing for easier transition from Spring Garden St to the Art Museum Area.

Meanwhile down on MLK a new crosswalk with yield signs will be put into place. We are sceptical about the traffic really yielding to non-motorized traffic without any traffic calming devices but we will see. Another concern a new curb cut in front of the Art Museum at the entrance to the MLK path that is giving trail users fits. We are in touch with the streets department and will encourage them to come up with a safe solution.

This portion of the Westbank Greenway project is due to be completed by the end of September.