Petition Now Closed: We need real protected bike lanes NOW
5,223
Supporters
5,240
Goal
Petition now closed. Please join us Thursday, August 15th at 4pm on the North Apron of City Hall for a Petition Delivery Event.
On Wednesday July 17th, Dr. Barbara Friedes was riding in the bike lane on Spruce St with a helmet on – doing everything cyclists are told is correct – when a speeding driver went left around a stopped car at an intersection, barrelling through the bike lane and flex posts. The driver hit the cyclist, throwing her around 20 feet into the air, and then went on to hit three parked cars on the 1800 block of Spruce before coming to a halt. Despite the best efforts of bystanders and first responders, Dr. Friedes passed away at the hospital about 20 minutes later.
Unfortunately, this was not the only fatal crash that happened on Wednesday night. On Allegheny Avenue, a speeding driver crossed through the painted bike lane, striking and killing Christopher Cabrera who was standing on the corner waiting to cross the street. Yet another pedestrian was struck in Germantown and remains in critical condition. While we don’t yet know the name of the pedestrian in critical condition and many of the other traffic victims who have been killed and seriously injured this year, they all deserve attention and priority from our community and elected officials.
Not only are these tragic deaths unacceptable, they were PREVENTABLE. Concrete barriers to the bike lanes on both Spruce and Allegheny would have offered protection from these reckless drivers, and the Bicycle Coalition has repeatedly pressed the City to install such permanent safety infrastructure.
These flexible delineator posts did NOTHING to prevent the driver from hitting and killing the cyclist on Wednesday night. In fact, flexible delineator posts are considered temporary measures at the state and federal level – why has the City chosen to treat these band-aids as permanent fixes for bike lanes across Philadelphia?
We call on our elected officials and City leaders to FINALLY prioritize safety over convenience and:
1. FULLY PROTECT the Spruce and Pine street and Allegheny Ave bike lanes and other protected bike lanes throughout Philadelphia with permanent concrete barriers;
2. END the legacy practice of allowing parking in bike lanes on weekends;
3. REPLACE all of the “No Parking” signage with “No Stopping” signage along protected bike lanes.
We call on Council President Johnson, Council Member Squilla, the rest of City Council, and Mayor Parker to fully fund Vision Zero so that protected bike lanes across the city can be upgraded with permanent materials that will move the city toward the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities by 2050.
Philadelphians deserve safe streets. Our elected officials must stop dragging their feet and commit to saving lives through action, not just words.
These petitions will be delivered to the elected officials above, please share this page with others. If you are interested to collecting written petitions please email Uma@bicyclecoalition.org. If you are part of an organization, business, or other collected body and want to send a letter on behalf of your group please reach out to Nicole@bicyclecoalition.org for more information.
Letter
Dear Mayor Parker, Council President Johnson, Council Member Squilla and all other members of Council,
After the 3 serious crashes that took 2 Philadelphian's lives on Wednesday July 17th and the countless others who have lost their lives on Philadelphia's streets we ask that you step up and do more for vulnerable users.
- FULLY PROTECT the Spruce and Pine street bike lanes, Allegheny Avenue bike lane and other protected bike lanes throughout Philadelphia with permanent concrete barriers;
- END the legacy practice of allowing parking in bike lanes on weekends and loading at all times of the day;
- REPLACE all of the “No Parking” signage with “No Stopping” signage along protected bike lanes so that the PPA can better enforce dangerous behavior.
We call on you to fully fund Vision Zero so that protected bike lanes across the city can be upgraded with permanent materials that will move the city toward the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities by 2050.
Philadelphians deserve safe streets. Our elected officials must stop dragging their feet and commit to saving lives through action, not just words.
Supporters
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Claire Zurlo Philadelphia, PA
I am a bike commuter frustrated by the status quo!
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Sarah Peterson Philadelphia , PA
I’m a bike rider and commuter
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Brennan Resetar Philadelphia, PA
I’ve been hit before in the bike lane, I’ve seen friends hit before in the bike lane. Biking should be safe method of transportation.
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Jonny Rashid Philadelphia, PA
Biker!
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Thomas Curry Philadelphia , PA
We bike to school and work everyday and we want safer streets now!
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Amy Curry Philadelphia , PA
We bike to school and work & we want safer streets right now!!
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James Timberlake Philadelphia, PA
The bicycle fatalities over the past 5 years have to stop. We need protected lanes, and drop off zones m, and less on street parking. Balance the modes - give pedestrians and bicyclists a share of the right of way.
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Reagan Menz
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Lori Braunstein Philadelphia, PA
My husband biked to work in the city every day. Each time he heads out, my heart is in my throat as I worry about him making it home safely. The solutions for making roads safe for cyclists are not complicated- just protect the bike lanes already!
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Erin Abrigo Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia needs safe streets!
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Matt Curran Philadelphia , PA
I bike Philly and want to be protected and safe!
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Ryan Curran Philadelphia, PA
To protect bike lanes and make it safer for cyclists in the city
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Marina Stuart Philadelphia, PA
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1107, Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-BICYCLE (215 242-9253)
