Hundreds of cyclists rallied outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Friday evening, advocating for enhanced safety measures along Pine and Spruce streets.
This gathering follows a hit-and-run crash in West Fairmount Park earlier in the week, which resulted in the tragic death of cyclist Harry Fenton, a 67-year-old member of the advocacy group Philly Bike Action (PBA).
The protest ride, organized by PBA, culminated in a journey to City Hall, prompted by a leaked city internal memo that suggested implementing speed bumps and concrete-separated bike lanes in limited areas of the Pine-Spruce corridor.
The city had previously formed a working group to address bike safety in the area after the death of CHOP physician Barbara Friedes, who was killed by a drunk driver last summer.
Group leaders expressed frustration, stating that concrete barriers need to be installed to ensure cyclist protection. “The city has made promises that concrete is going to go in there, and it’s been a year and we haven’t seen any concrete,” stated David Talone, a District 5 organizer for PBA.
He emphasized that partial measures would not be sufficient, insisting that a comprehensive plan is necessary to prevent future accidents.
During the protest, attendees honored Harry Fenton, whose family members joined the demonstration.
Fenton’s daughter, Hallie, commented on the event, stating, “It feels tremendous to see the community come together and show their support. Obviously, there’s not enough done in this city to protect cyclists, but it feels positive to see everyone out here tonight.”
Cyclists participated in a six-mile ride from the museum to City Hall, chanting slogans such as “paint is not protection; concrete now” as they passed through Center City neighborhoods.
Traffic was temporarily halted at some intersections to allow riders to pass safely, which led to reactions from some drivers at the tail end of the group. Police provided assistance by blocking certain streets and following the ride.
Some pedestrians cheered and applauded as the cyclists rode by, showcasing community support for the initiative.
Last July, a similar protest was organized following a series of tragic incidents involving cyclists and pedestrians, leading to discussions on improving safety measures throughout the city.
In the aftermath of those events, various safety proposals were introduced, and some legislators began pushing for alternative measures.
During the past year, steps have been taken, including the session’s passage of the “Get out the Bike Lane” bill, which prohibits motor vehicles from stopping in bike lanes citywide.
This legislation aims to enhance safety, imposing fines of $125 for violations in Center City and University City, with a $75 fine in other areas.
The city allocated $5 million for the Vision Zero program in its 2026 budget, which is designed to improve traffic safety and ensure the installation of concrete barriers on Spruce and Pine streets.
This past June marked the initiation of the first phase of the bike lane safety project, yet progress has been stymied by a lawsuit filed by the resident group Friends of Pine and Spruce.
The lawsuit aims to halt the construction of concrete barriers and stop the city’s strategy to replace permit parking with new neighborhood loading zones in affected areas.
Moreover, the judge ordered a pause on signage installation, enforcement actions, and public works related to the bike lane safety initiative while the legal proceedings unfold.
In the interim, Philly Bike Action has launched the Laser Vision app, designed to aid in reporting vehicles illegally parked in bike lanes through the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s mobility access violation reporting system.
This past July, Michael Vahey, responsible for the accident that killed Dr. Barbara Friedes, was sentenced to six to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to severe charges, including third-degree murder and driving under the influence.
As discussions about cyclist safety continue, the Friends of Pine and Spruce have suggested alternative measures, such as a 20-minute grace period for vehicles stopping in the bike lane and speed reduction measures like speed tables.
They have even proposed relocating bike lanes entirely to wider east-west streets to enhance safety for cyclists throughout the city.
The ongoing budget impasse at the state level has further complicated transit operations, resulting in SEPTA service cuts and fare increases, potentially causing more congestion on Philadelphia roads.
Looking forward, Caleb Holtmeyer, the chairperson of PBA for District 1, acknowledged some progress has been made over the past year but insisted that it falls short of expectations.
Holtmeyer remarked, “I think we’ve taken some major steps of progress there, but we’re still wanting for actual physical protection that would have prevented the death of Dr. Friedes.”
Concerns about the proposals outlined in the leaked memo echo throughout the cyclist community, with some leaders expressing disappointment with limited coverage of protected bike lanes along Spruce and Pine streets.
“It was very disappointing to see the leaked memo of only half of Spruce and Pine being protected,” said PBA press team member Gaurav Shetty.
He warned that failing to provide comprehensive protection could lead to more tragic incidents, emphasizing the urgency for better bike infrastructure in the city.
image source from：billypenn
