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As part of the JFK-Market protected bike lane pilot project, the City of Philadelphia installed its first bike signals on Wednesday.
The signals help people traveling by bicycle to know when and when not to go through the lights at 16th and Market, and 20th and JFK, both somewhat confusing intersections.
Although the installations were already planned, I can personally attest to how much easier it is getting through the intersection with the new signals.
On my way to work this morning (just before the signals were installed), I was nearly hit by a motorist turning left as I went through the intersection with the green traffic light. I tweeted about it.
And, the lights need to be changed at 16th st. Allowing 2 lanes of motor traffic to turn left as cyclists are given light to ride straight is a disaster. I could see 1 turning lane, but outside driver doesn’t see cyclist going straight. There is going to be a crash @PhilaStreets
— Randy LoBasso (@RandyLoBasso) June 6, 2018
The new signal tells cyclists to go through the intersection with pedestrian traffic at both intersections. This is a welcome improvement to the project.
Want to know how the JFK-Market protected bike lane pilot project came to be? Read our history blog here.
I work right at 16th and Market, saw those lanes go in and was wondering about the signals because I saw the same thing you did. I will look for those tomorrow and see how they’re working out.