Bike the Strike with the Bicycle Coalition

Are you going to Bike the Strike?

• Make sure your bike is ready to go
  Free safety checks are available at Philadelphia bike shops
• Pick a route before you go
  Use the Philadelphia Bicycle Map to find quiet streets and streets with bike lanes. Pick up the map at a bike shop, at the main branch of library or download the map and look for red and purple streets. Philadelphia or Center City
• Ride safely
  Read the Bicycle Coalition's Top 10 Safety Tips

More tips on biking to work 

Bicycle Coalition Bike the Strike Programs

Center City Bike Station
If a strike happens a bike station will open in the Plaza of the Municipal Services Building at the intersection of 15th and Arch across from City Hall. Guarded bike parking will be offered for free from 8AM - 6PM from Monday to Friday for the duration of the strike. It works exactly like a coat check, roll your bike up to the attendant and receive a claim ticket.
Map showing preferred routes to the Bike Station Location

Bike Buddy Rideboard
Match up with other riders in your area. 
View the Rideboard
Post to the Rideboard

Bike the Strike Blog
We'll be putting up tips to help you bike the strike every day. Plus you can comment on any of our postings.

Bike Commuter Routes 
Actual commuter routes submitted by Bicycle Coalition members

Pedal power can help Philadelphians travel during the SEPTA strike.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia announced plans to help thousands of stranded SEPTA commuters “Bike the Strike” on Friday. “If there is a SEPTA strike, avoid the stress of huge rush hour traffic jams and ride your bike to work,” said Bicycle Coalition President Dennis Winters.

To help new bicycle commuters, the Bicycle Coalition is partnering with Philadelphia’s bike shops to provide free bicycle safety checks. Bring your bicycle to any shop in Philadelphia and get your tires filled to the correct tire pressure, get your chain oiled and make sure your bike is mechanically safe.

Free Philadelphia Bicycle Maps will also be available at bike shops. “Philadelphia is a great city to bicycle in, especially if you avoid streets with lots of automobile traffic,” said Alex Doty, Bicycle Coalition Executive Director. “Our bike maps can help you take advantage of more than 190 miles of bike lanes in the city.”

• Check that bike! Tires full, make sure saddle and bars are tight.
• Protect that head. Wear a helmet not just for crash safety, but to be more visible.
• Bike like a vehicle. Ride in the direction of traffic and obey all traffic rules. Follow a nice straight line, don't weave around. Look back before you change lanes.
• Communicate! Use simple hand signals to let motorists know you're turning left (point left), turning right, (uh, point right), stopping (hold hand at waist level, palm facing back).
• Be Seen! Wear light colored clothing, reflective materials and fit your bike with lights if you're riding at night.
• Lock it down! Use a U-lock through the frame and back wheel, protect the front wheel with a cable.
• Buddy up. Find a cycling friend to help you with route planning and accompany you on that first commute. (Check out our Bike Buddy rideboard). Or use the new Philadelphia Regional Bike Map to plan your ride. 
• Fuel up. You're the engine. Eat a good breakfast and drink a nice amount of water. Do the same on the way home.
• Don't win the Door Prize! Keep 3 feet away from parked cars.
• Expect the unexpected. Good commuters scan the road ahead for dangers, always checking to keep their ride smooth.

Share the Road Website
This website features a video produced by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission that shows how bicyclists and motorists can safely coexist in traffic.

Check back here for updates to the Bike the Strike campaign.