Public meetings to begin this month with City staff sharing detailed recommendations and collecting input from residents
PHILADELPHIA. – The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS), in partnership with City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) and Councilmember Mark Squilla (1st District), will begin a community engagement process to present detailed recommendations for bike lane safety infrastructure and policy upgrades along the Spruce and Pine streets corridor. These efforts aim to improve traffic safety for people biking along the corridor, following an increased number of deaths and injuries over the last several years – most recently the tragic death of Dr. Barbara Friedes this past July.
Beginning this month, the City will meet with stakeholder groups and there will be a public open house co-hosted by the City, Washington West Civic Association, and Society Hill Civic Association, on Thursday, October 17 at 7 p.m. at Jefferson University Bluemle Life Sciences Building (located at 233 South 10th Street).
The City developed near-term and long-term recommendations to improve safety on the Spruce and Pine Streets bike lanes. They include:
Infrastructure
- Concrete curb sections in the existing painted buffer along each block.
- Potential planters in the painted buffer at intersections, if a maintenance partner and annual funding is provided.
- Cost estimate of $4.8 million.
Policy
- Add additional daytime loading zones in the parking lanes.
- Change curbside regulations along the bike lanes to No Stopping Anytime.
- Relocate religious institution relaxed parking spaces to other nearby streets.
- Increase Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) enforcement along the corridor.
“In August, we held a press conference and bike ride with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia to signify this Administration’s commitment to real change for improving traffic safety in our city,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “We presented advocates with a letter of response to their petition, which included more than 6,000 signatures. In the letter, the City outlined a call for community engagement to gain feedback on proposals for fully protecting the Spruce and Pine bike lanes. Now, we are coming to you, Philadelphia, to move this project forward.”
At the October public open house, City staff will share more details about the infrastructure and policy plan and gather feedback on the location recommended curbside regulations on each block of Spruce and Pine Streets.
Already, the City’s Department of Streets has worked with community partners to relocate relaxed parking areas away from the Spruce and Pine bike lanes during religious services and events. Following a cooperative process, all houses of worship along this corridor have agreed to relocate their relaxed parking permits off Spruce and Pine Streets.
«The public meetings about proposed bike lane safety upgrades on Spruce and Pine Streets continues my commitment to work with the Philadelphia Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) and Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration to explore what additional safety measures can be installed for cyclists throughout the Second Council District and citywide,» said Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District). «OTIS and my office want to hear from all residents living on Spruce and Pine streets in order to create the best solution possible.»
On the first day of City Council’s fall session, Council President Johnson introduced Bill #240657, which, if passed, will penalize stopping, standing, or parking in a bike lane with a fine of $125 in Center City and University City, and $75 in other parts of the city. The bill has been assigned to Council’s Streets and Services Committee for a public hearing scheduled for October 15. If the bill is voted out of Committee, the legislation will come up for a full Council vote before the end of this year. If the bill is approved, it will then require Mayor Parker’s signature and become law effective immediately.
“I am pleased that OTIS is engaging the community to finalize the proposed changes to bike lanes on Pine and Spruce Streets, so that these streets will be safer for ALL users,” said Councilmember Mark Squilla (1st District).
To get involved, please contact your registered community organization (RCO) if you live in a neighborhood bordering the Spruce and Pine corridor and please visit the Spruce/Pine Bike Lane Safety Upgrade program page on the City’s website for more information.
