The City of Philadelphia has received federal funding to make major improvements along American Street, between Girard and Indiana Avenues. The project will include streetscape improvements from the Streets Department and Green City, Clean Waters green infrastructure improvements from Philadelphia Water.

North American Street is an 84 foot roadway with 34 feet of sidewalks, and it largely goes unused.

Bicyclists often don’t use it due to the high speed of motor vehicles, and because of the unused rail tracks that run the length of the road. But that could change after Philadelphia redoes the street.

Many of the corridor improvements to American Street will be driven by stormwater retention and redevelopment. Philadelphia is a city of narrow streets so the allocation of space for bicycles can be difficult and contentious.

The width of American Street between Girard and Lehigh is exceptional. You would think proposing a protected bike lane would be obvious but early renderings from the City suggest otherwise.

City rendering of American Street

On Wednesday, July 20, an open house discussing ideas for American Street was held at the Pan American Academy Charter School at 2380 American Street.

If you weren’t able to make it, there’s another open house coming on Tuesday, July 26, from 4:00pm-8:00pm. While there, you will be shown several ideas for American Street’s future.

The street is large enough for the installation of protected bike lanes, which are currently not part of the rendering being shown off by the city.

If you want protected bike lanes, you need to ask for them. If you have the time, please join the Bicycle Coalition and other advocates in attending the open house—and making a point of asking for real protected bike lanes on American Street.

Bicycle Coalition rendering of American Street

The city needs to know you care about safety for all road users on North American Street, and that you support the Bicycle Coalition’s rendering of the street, which includes a curb- and planter-protected bike lane, created an actual physical separation between the cyclist and motor vehicle user.

Light refreshments will be provided. Spanish translation will be provided; please see a team member for assistance. For more information on this project, please contact: AmericanStStreetscape@gmail.com