On January 29, 2019, the City of Philadelphia’s oTIS (Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability) hosted an Open House at Yards Brewery to discuss upcoming protected bike lane projects. The purpose of the projects is to increase safety by improving predictability and awareness of cyclists and pedestrians, and encourage alternate modes of transportation by improving bicycle lanes and bicycle safety. Below is a summarization of the upcoming projects on 2nd, 5th, and 6th streets discussed at the meetings.

2nd Street Protected Bike Lane Project: Spring Garden to Race Streets

The problem:

– Between 2013 and 2017, there were 42 crashes on 2nd Street between Race and Spring Garden. Two involved a bicycle and a vehicle, and 6 involved a pedestrian and a vehicle.
– 6 people were injured in crashes from 2013 to 2017

Proposed Solution for 2nd Street between Wood and Race:

– Spring Garden to Callowhill: protected bike lane with painted buffer and delineator posts versus a painted buffer lane
– Callowhill to Vine: protected bike lane with painted buffer and delineator posts on the LEFT side of the road versus a painted bike lane on the RIGHT side. Move the parking lane from the LEFT side to the RIGHT side of the road.
– Wood to Race: protected bike lane with painted buffer and delineator posts on the LEFT side of the road versus no bike lane

Goals:

– Create a high-quality southbound bike connection between Northern Liberties and Old City
– Refresh lane markings and crosswalks
– Make dedicated space for bicycles in the roadway
– Reduce the number of possible right-hook crash locations by relocating the bike lanes to the left hand side

Photo from the open house on Tuesday

5th Street Protected Bike Lane Project: Spring Garden to Market Streets

The problem:

– Between 2013 and 2017 56 crashes occurred on 5th Street between Market and Spring Garden. Two involved a bicycle and a vehicle and 6 involved a pedestrian and a vehicle.
– Crashes on 5th Street between 2013 and 2017 injured 53 people including 8 people walking and 2 people riding bikes.
Proposed Solution:
– Protected bike lanes with flexible delineator posts versus paint buffered lanes on Spring Garden to Callowhill, Race to Arch, and Arch to Market.

Goal:

– Create a high-quality northbound bike connection between Old City and Northern Liberties
– Refresh lane markings and crosswalks
– Make a dedicated space for bicycles in the roadway
– Resize vehicle lanes to encourage safe speeds

6th Street Protected Bike Lane Project: Spring Garden to Market Streets

The problem:

– There were 88 crashes on 6th Street between Market and Spring Garden from 2013 to 2017. Five involved a bicycle and a vehicle and 7 involved a pedestrian and a vehicle.
– 99 people were injured in crashes on 6th Street between 2013 and 2017, including 7 people walking and 5 people riding bikes.

Proposed Solution:

– Protected bike lane with painted buffer and delineator posts on Spring Garden to Callowhill, Callowhill to Wood, Wood to Ramp, and Race to Market versus a conventional unprotected bike lane.
– Parking protected bicycle lane with flexible delineator posts on the ramp to Race versus a conventional unprotect bike lane.

Goals:

– Create a high-quality southbound bike connection between Northern Liberties and Old City
– Refresh lane markings and crosswalks
– Make a dedicated space for bicycles in the roadway by upgrading entire corridor for bike lanes
– Resize vehicle lanes to encourage safe speeds

Support these new projects, as well as the 10th and 13th Street protected bike lane projects? Then send a message to Councilman Mark Squilla using this link.

All these projects are in his district, and he needs to hear from as many people as possible that these protected bike lanes are a unique opportunity to make his district the most bikeable, walkable, and safest in Philadelphia.