In September, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson introduced the ‘Get Out The Bike Lane’ bill in response to the tragic death of Dr. Barbara Ann Friedes, a 30-year-old pediatrician who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding her bike along Spruce Street in July.
This incident has reignited calls for safer cycling conditions throughout Philadelphia, prompting immediate action from city officials.
Under the new legislation, motorists found in violation of the bike lane rules in Center City and University City will face fines of $125, while violations in other areas of the city will incur a $75 fine.
Residents living alongside bike lanes can also apply online for permits to temporarily close the road for activities such as construction work or moving trucks.
To further enhance safety for cyclists, the city announced that new loading zones would be established along Spruce and Pine Streets over the next two weeks.
These loading zones will consist of areas measuring approximately 50 feet at the beginning of each block and 20 feet at the end of each block, reacting to the needs of drivers needing to make brief stops.
At night, the designated loading zones will revert to overnight parking.
A project homepage will provide a map clearly indicating where the new signage for these zones will be positioned.
Later this summer, Philadelphia plans to implement the second phase of the project, which will include the development of curb-separated bike lanes and continued enforcement measures.
However, the proposed changes have met with significant pushback from Friends of Pine and Spruce (FOPS), a neighborhood organization that has long opposed the No Stopping Anytime legislation, arguing it is unnecessary and hinders accessibility for disabled and elderly residents.
In May, FOPS filed a legal complaint in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas against the city, the Streets Department, and the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, asserting that the city should not have proceeded with the installation of loading zones without proper adjustments to city code.
FOPS alleges that impactful incidents like Dr. Friedes’ fatal crash are rare occurrences in Center City and that the tragedy has been exploited by groups advocating for anti-car and pro-bike policies.
The group expressed their frustration in a letter to Mayor Cherelle Parker, emphasizing that public meetings conducted in October 2024 excluded significant community input.
Despite public outreach efforts, FOPS maintains that their concerns have not been meaningfully addressed.
In an August 2009 letter from Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger, the previous administration acknowledged the need for taxis to stop for residents, assuring that they would continue to allow residents to stop and unload groceries, among other activities.
On social media this week, FOPS reminded residents of the past assurances made by Mayor Michael Nutter regarding the rights of Pine-Spruce residents to stop in front of their homes during the implementation of bike lanes.
“Mayor Nutter PROMISED Pine-Spruce residents they could ALWAYS STOP in front of their homes in exchange for bike lanes. That was the deal,” they posted on their X account.
As the legal dispute continues, representatives from FOPS, the city, and its legal team have yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the ongoing litigation.
The broader implications of these changes will likely continue to spark discussions about the balance between promoting cycling safety and preserving residents’ accessibility in urban settings.
image source from：https://www.phillyvoice.com/ppa-start-ticketing-cars-blocking-bike-lanes/
