When Spruce and Pine Streets were repaved and re-striped this year, it reignited the “Church parking” debate in Philadelphia. See, though Spruce and Pine Streets are the only river-to-river buffered bike lanes in Philadelphia, they’re also the most-violated by motorists and, on weekends, motorists have free reign to park in the bike lanes to attend religious services, which is an unofficial policy of the City of Philadelphia, in place for several decades—before these lanes were bike lanes at all. On Thursday morning, we’re hosting a morning On The Table Philly conversation about the issue, and all are invited to attend, drink some coffee, eat some bagels, and talk about the issue.
For 10 years, those lanes have functioned as weekend parking for service-goers much to the dismay—and confusion—of people riding bicycles in Philadelphia. Since the Philadelphia Parking Authority does not enforce parking regulations on weekends, those bike lanes are used by everyone: Service-goers, and non-service-goers alike!
This article about the issue was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer earlier this year, and we’ve invited every church and synagogue on those blocks to join us on Thursday morning to talk (civilly) about the issue.
We hope you can make it.
On the Table Philly is a forum designed to elevate civic conversation, foster new relationships and create a unifying experience, created by the Philadelphia Foundation.
The meeting will go from 8am-10am at the Bicycle Coalition office: 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1107.