Protective delineator posts proposed along existing bike lanes
On Monday, July 17th, the Mayor’s Office of Transportation & Infrastructure Systems will host a public listening session to discuss protected bike lanes for Lombard, South and 27th Streets.
“This will affect the ability to load/unload and otherwise stop on those streets,” says SSWBA Chair, Marcus Ferreria. “If your business is along the path of the route, please attend this meeting to see the presentation on the proposal, express any concerns that you may have and find out what The Mayor’s Office is doing to address the concerns raised to date as it is my understanding that they have been directly reaching out to affected business owners directly over the past several months.
The project will address safety issues by:
• Repainting crosswalks and existing bicycle lanes
• Shortening the pedestrian crossing distance
• Creating a clearly defined bicycle space separated from motor vehicle traffic
• Reducing obstructions in the bicycle lane
• Adding flexible delineator posts in the buffer
• Encouraging transportation choices
The meeting will be held at The Philadelphia School (2500 South Street) from 5:30 – 7pm.
Great area to do that. Too often, I see people get fed up with traffic on Lombard and shoot up the bike lane.
<<>> SSWBA Chairman Marcus Ferreria is clearly doing a “push” against protecting cyclists along Lombard and South Streets… • • • If he did his homework, Mr. Ferreria would also mention that fast car through traffic, and streets clogged with unloading trucks are bad for the types of small businesses and families that are the foundation of this neighborhood. Further, numerous urban studies show that when motor traffic is calmed/reduced and cyclists and pedestrians don’t fear for their lives along a corridor, businesses enjoy increased sales. Sure, it’s convenient for merchants to take truck deliveries morning, noon and night, and for private schools to idle buses in the bike lane for the safety of their kids. But if SWCC is going to stop being a speedway for suburbanites and CHOP staffers, we need protected bike lanes. These improvements aren’t just for cyclists. They will also make it much safer for children and the elderly. Right now, stepping off the curb along South and Lombard is as risky as stepping off a cliff. Finally, it’s time for OTIS, PennDot and PhilaStreets to recognize the need for a real, every-block Loading Zone Program. Yes, some people might lose their $35/year long-term car storage. But as this spring’s snowstorms showed… a huge percentage of SWCC autos are hardly vital – they stayed parked for weeks. Let’s save lives and create a more humane SWCC with real bike lanes. – mcget / trophy bikes PHL
PREACH
Spot on comment
Now here is a small edge issue that the demographics of this site can really get behind and proselytize!
But still its really nice to see this being done.
I don’t even own a bike, but this is good idea. So many drivers are either oblivious (i.e. distracted) or just flat out ignore traffic laws.