The new West Chestnut Street parking-protected bike lane was officially opened on Tuesday, August 29, and has already made commuting to work, school, and shopping safer for people who live in West Philadelphia. It has also led to some confusion and anger amongst residents who are not used to the new street configuration, yet.
Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell used her time at Tuesday’s press conference to express her displeasure with the calls, emails, and letters she’s been getting from some local residents, going so far as to vow to make the bike lane temporary — even though she created the ordinance that resulted in the construction of the permanent lane.
That’s why we need your help. Have you ridden the lane yet? Do you like it? If so, let Councilwoman Blackwell know she did the right thing by approving Philadelphia’s first one-way parking-protected bike lane in West Philadelphia. It took six years of advocacy to get this far.
Woah, a safe way to bike to work? Thanks, @CouncilwomanJLB @bcgp! pic.twitter.com/3QYCtceMIO
— Alex Schieferdecker (@alexschief) August 30, 2017
Click here to use our email system to send Blackwell a message expressing how important safe bike lanes are to you — whether you’re a bicycle commuter, a pedestrian, or a motor vehicle user.
Or, send her an email directly from your account: jannie.blackwell@phila.gov
Email not really your style? Give her a call. Blackwell’s office number is (215) 686-3418.
Call and let her know this bike lane is a positive step for all Philadelphia residents who want to be able to bike safely.
I rode this section of Chestnut St a couple of weeks ago..and felt very uncomfortable with so many cars driving by and driving fast…Then rode the protected lane yesterday and found it so relaxing…I am sure that as others who bike to work, classes or shopping use it, they too will appreciate the safety it gives.
I commend all who worked to bring this about…thank you!!
I’m thrilled about the new bike lane. I live on Sansom St., so Chestnut is my obvious bike route to get downtown, but have always felt very unsafe on it, and have found people in cars behind me have tended to honk and or pass me unsafely on it. So, this is a godsend. Thank you so much for supporting it in the past and please make it permanent.
This is brilliant. I’ve seen protected bike lanes in sophisticated cities like Montreal and Amsterdam…so very great to have them starting here! I hope this expands into my neighborhood in center city. Town is getting more and more full, with fewer and fewer surface parking lots ..we will need to live in a less car oriented culture and this is a proactive step in that direction. Bravo!
Thank you for the protected bike lane on Chestnut St. It makes my commute into the city safer and more relaxing. I even had the opportunity to notice all the small restaurants along the way. This may well be a boost for the businesses along that stretch of Chestnut.
You inspired me to send a message! Here it is:
I am a lifelong West Philadelphian and I very much support more and better bikes lanes to West Philly from Center City and I myself have biked both Chestnut and Walnut Street home many times.
However, I would rather see Market Street dedicated to bike lanes–which far less cars use–or even the elimination of car traffic on Spruce Street than the narrowing of Chestnut Street.
Chestnut has long been an easy and fast way to get all West Philadelphians quickly into town. Not only are the timed lights now messed up but the traffic–particularly around 40th street–is out of control.
I hope the Councilwoman can find a way to address this issue that does not result in division but a solution everyone–bikers and drivers alike–can live with.
Thank you thank you thank you. Thank you. Can’t tell you how much I appreciate a safe way to commute to work and do my grocery shopping. Can we have more?
Last week my 2 sons and I used the new lane to go to the zoo (Chestnut’s protected bike lane, followed by Mantua Greenway). I biked, pulling them in a 2 kid bike trailer. Before this project was done, I drove or used the sidewalk. It truly made my week– the kids loved it, I’m healthier for it, the planet is healthier for it. I read on several staring faces: “that makes sense. I could do that. I want to do that.”
I look forward to the expansion of protected bike lanes, brighter bike lane lines, and expanding the capacity for convenient bike carry-on for regional rail & subway.