Bicycle Coalition Co-Founder John Dowlin in a cargo bike being piloted by Simon Firth of Firth and Wilson Transport Cycles taking the inaugural trip on the Ben Franklin Bridge ramp.
It was perhaps the highest profile ribbon cutting in the history of the Circuit Coalition. More than 200 people showed up on a Tuesday morning to witness this historic event, including more than 100 bicyclists from our rides from Philadelphia and Collingswood.
In addition to our rides to the ribbon cutting, The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia hosted a ride using the RiverLink Ferry escorting Bicycle Coalition co-founder John Dowlin.
Several notable people spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony including:
NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney
Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash
Philadelphia 1st District Councilperson Mark Squilla
DVRPC Environmental Planner Chris Linn
NJ DOT Deputy Director Mike Russo
DRPA CEO John Hanson
Bicycle Coalition Research Director, Yours Truly (John Boyle)
The Philadelphia-area media was in full force and generated numerous news stories:
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia has been working for better access on the Ben Franklin Bridge for over 45 years. We thank the Delaware River Port Authority, William Penn Foundation, NJ Department of Transportation and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for funding and building the bridge ramp.
Finally! I have yet to experience it in person, but, from the TV footage, it looks like it incorporates the original architectural and structural style of the bridge. Nice touch! I hope to make the trip from Delaware soon.