A number of bills were voted out of the City Council’s Streets & Services Committee today that address illegal parking behavior that contributes to congestion and allow new protected bike lanes to go forward.
First, there is BILL NO. 190467, which raises the fines for parking illegally in many different zones. For example, the fine for parking illegally in a No Stopping Zone rises from $50 to $75 and the fine for double parking rises from $50 to $100.
Five bills were voted out by the Streets & Services Committee that allow new bike lanes to be installed, as well. Many of these bills are just pieces of much larger projects, other ordinances for which were already passed. The below legislation is regarding JFK and Market Streets (final legislation to make those lanes permanent), 10th Street, and 2nd Street, which are up for protected bike lanes over the next two paving seasons.
Here are the bills that passed:
- BILL NO. 190185 – JFK/Market between 15th & 20th Streets
- BILL NO. 190355 – Richmond St., from Lewis to Berkshire
- BILL NO. 190363 – North 10th Street, from Buttonwood Street to Callowhill Street, and on Columbus Boulevard from Dilworth Street to Swanson Street (see this blog for an explanation on why this bill is important for the full 10th St. corridor)
- BILL NO. 190445 – Germantown Avenue, from North 2nd Street to Master Street
- BILL NO. 190465 – North 2nd Street, from Wood Street to Race Street
BILL NO. 190466, which raises the fee for contractors permits, was held up and did not pass through committee.
Update on BILL NO. 180950, which exempts the initial $500 fee for businesses that want to create a loading zone if they are located on a street with a bike lane. Council passed it on May 16th and is at the Mayor’s office, awaiting signature.
We first introduced this idea to City Council and the PPA in Fall 2018. The legislation would allow for the easier installation of loading zones with the intended purpose of creating spaces for motor vehicles to pull over that does not include the bike lane.
Resolution 190423 authorized the City Council’s Committee on Streets and Services to hold public hearings regarding accountability for the state of road surfaces in Philadelphia.
This is virtually all good news, and we’re excited to have seen these bills through so these streets can be made safer for all Philadelphians. A big thanks to the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability, who have worked with councilmembers, constituents, neighborhood organizations, and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, to make all of this happen.