Philadelphia, September 23, 2016) – Calling it “a first for Philadelphia,” Mayor Jim Kenney today helped cut the ribbon to open the City’s first two-way parking protected bicycle lane. The lane is located on Ryan Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, adjacent to Abraham Lincoln High School and Austin Meehan Middle School.
“This protected bicycle lane is an important first step to celebrate as we start to create a network of protected bicycle lanes in the City,” said Mayor Kenney. “My administration is committed to introducing more protected bicycle lanes in order to provide safe and comfortable routes for Philadelphians of all ages and abilities.”
The Ryan Avenue two-way parking protected bicycle lane is a safety improvement that calms traffic and provides a protected space for cyclists between the sidewalk and the on-street parking lane. It stretches more than one mile of Ryan Avenue, between Rowland and Lexington Avenues, and is adjacent to two public schools and the expansive Pennypack Park. The two-way parking protected bicycle lane includes new striping, painted bicycle symbols, signage and flexible delineator posts, to clearly indicate where bicyclists ride and where drivers drive and park.
“A protected bicycle lane decreases the conflict points between people driving, walking, and biking,” said Clarena Tolson, Deputy Director of the Managing Director’s Office of Transportation & Infrastructure Systems. “The added protection of the parking lane and delineator posts strengthens the separation between drivers and cyclists and pedestrians. This increases the safety of the street for the most vulnerable users: people who walk and bike.”
Councilman Bobby Henon, 6th District, is pleased that the City’s first parking protected bike facility is in his district. “More and more, Philadelphians are using two wheels as both a means of exercise and transportation, making bicycle safety an important priority for riders, walkers, and drivers alike,” said Councilman Henon. “I am proud that the 6th District’s Ryan Avenue is home to the first parking protected bike lane, of what I hope to be many, in the City of Philadelphia. Most importantly, I am looking forward to usage of the lanes increasing and to residents understanding and embracing safe cycling.”
In planning for this parking protected bike lane, the Streets Department met with various stakeholders, including Councilman Henon’s office and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. Ryan Avenue was chosen for this project because of its proximity to Pennypack Park and two public schools, the wide roadway width from curb to curb, and because it is an important link in a popular neighborhood running, biking, and walking route. The Streets Department Highway Division was able to integrate the new bike facility into the recent repaving of Ryan Avenue, allowing for a coordinated construction schedule.
To celebrate this new facility in the Northeast, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia organized a ride this morning from the Cheltenham SEPTA Station using the Tyson Avenue bike lane. Many members rode on the new lanes after the ribbon was cut by Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilman Henon, Deputy Managing Director Tolson, Acting Streets Commissioner Michael A. Carroll, and Sarah Clark Stuart, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, among others.
Stuart said she is thrilled this type of bike facility is now available in the City. “Our members and staff are pleased to provide feedback to the City about the importance of protected bike facilities for the safety of all users, and we look forward to seeing more protected bike lanes in the coming years.”
More information about the project can be found at the Streets Department website: http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/survey-and-design-bureau/bicycle-network/nue-2-way-protected-bike-lane/.