“We’re really happy to see that the city has given the thumbs up to making the lanes a permanent entity.”
John Boyle, Bicycle coalition of greater philadelphia
Published 21:26, December the 10th, 2009
Streets Dept.: Make bike lanes permanent
PHILADELPHIA. Almost three months into a bike lane pilot program, the Streets Department said Thursday that cycling during peak hours on Pine and Spruce streets are up more than 60 percent and recommended making the lanes permanent.
Mayor Michael Nutter unveiled the pilot program in September as part of the city's comprehensive Greenworks program. Since then, cycling on the two streets is way up and car traffic at rush hour has declined by 11 percent, officials said.
"We’re really happy to see that the city has given the thumbs up to making the lanes a permanent entity," said John Boyle, advocacy director for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. "We think there are other opportunities out there to connect the bike lane network and enhance the design for bike lanes."
Both Pine and Spruce streets, between 22nd Street and Front street, will be repaved next year to include the bike lanes.
DiCicco backs off biker registry
After drawing fire from bicycle lobbyists, City Councilman Frank DiCicco has backed off from a bill that would require all cyclists over age 12 to pay for a one-time registration plate, but would not totally rule the legislation out.
“We want to move forward on bicycle safety measures, but what those measures look like is still up in the air,” said Brian Abernathy, DiCicco’s legislative aide.