Exciting news for cyclists in Philadelphia! Just a few weeks ago, cycling activists presented a petition for safer streets to Mayor Cherelle Parker and the City Council, and it seems like their voices are being heard.
Recently, Mayor Parker, along with representatives from the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, members of City Council, and Managing Director Adam Thiel, provided an update on efforts to improve bike lane safety. This collaborative effort signifies a step in the right direction for a city striving to create a safer environment for cyclists.
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The petition, supported by over 6,000 signatures and 4,000 comments, called for concrete barriers to be added to the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine streets and Allegheny Avenue, ending weekend parking in bike lanes, and replacing “No Parking” signs with “No Stopping” signs along protected bike lanes. These requests came after the tragic death of Dr. Barbara Friedes in a biking accident on Spruce Street in July.
Mayor Parker, although admittedly not an avid cyclist, and her administration have shown a willingness to act upon these recommendations. Thiel mentioned that the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems is in discussions with City Council members and the community regarding the installation of concrete barriers. Parking will also be relocated away from the designated bike lanes, with plans to implement this change in the coming weeks. Furthermore, the city aims to replace signage on Spruce and Pine streets as requested by the Bicycle Coalition, with ongoing efforts to identify additional areas for signage replacement through community engagement.
“We appreciate the Bicycle Coalition’s ongoing advocacy for traffic safety and are eager to collaborate towards our collective goal of zero traffic deaths,” Thiel expressed.
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia has shown support for the city’s initiatives, with Executive Director Chris Gale stating, “We are dedicated to partnering with the mayor and council to enhance road safety for everyone.”
Additionally, Mayor Parker took the opportunity to address misconceptions about funding for bike safety initiatives. Despite claims that $1.25 million was cut from Vision Zero funding, the mayor clarified that the funds were reallocated to the Streets Department for speed cushions, emphasizing that it was not a reduction in commitment to Vision Zero goals.
“It was never a deviation from our vision and priorities for Vision Zero, and I firmly refute any suggestions to the contrary,” Parker affirmed.