North side of Philadelphia’s Market Street.

Construction on the new protected bike lanes along JFK and Market Streets in Center City will begin on Monday, May 21, according to a City of Philadelphia press release.

“Restriping and installation of flexible delineator posts and signage are expected to be completed within two weeks, weather permitting. Work will include temporary, short term lane closures and parking restrictions for pavement striping, installation of flexible delineator posts, and signage,” reads the press release. “The restriping and flexible delineator post work will occur during overnight hours. The public should expect lane closures and parking restrictions on Market Street and JFK Boulevard from 15th – 20th Streets. Pedestrian traffic will be maintained through each intersection.”

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia advocated for several years for these bike lanes. They are being installed as a 9-month Pilot project, after which their success will be assessed and the city will decide whether or not to keep them.

Mayor Jim Kenney made the announcement of the project at the Bicycle Coalition’s Vision Zero Conference in March 2018.

The Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems took the lead in advocating for the lanes earlier this year, holding several meetings at buildings on Market and JFK in Center City, listening to residents’ concerns and presenting designs.

Earlier this week, several Bicycle Coalition volunteers helped flier the area where the bike lanes will be installed. They were met with almost universal excitement.

“People were very receptive and several were quite happy about the coming rebuild,” noted one volunteer in an email. “People were generally willing to spread the word, either by posting a flyer or by talking to their manager.”

As many will recall, Peter Javsicas was killed by a motorist while walking on the sidewalk on JFK Boulevard last spring. A parking-protected bike lane will not only provide cyclists with a safer, more comfortable ride, but will help stop such crashes from occurring on these wide streets.