I knew we’d be hearing from the “bicycle community” after the tragic death of pediatric oncologist Barbara Friedes in a bicycle lane, which were installed, ironically, to protect bicycle riders.
Seeing a story in the Inquirer filled with advocates for more and better bike lanes was no surprise.
Nor was the total absence of any voice in opposition to expanding bike lanes. That includes adding concrete bollards, or expanding bike lanes that are protected by parked cars, as currently exist on a few Center City blocks like Market and JFK.
The reporter offered a few words in a single sentence about how merchants fear that parking-protected bike lanes would harm their business. But who cares about them? Other hardened parking lanes, it was not reported, make it difficult for residents to drop off passengers or unload groceries. But who cares about them?
For the record, a tiny 2.3% of Philadelphians commute by bike, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, which tries to put a positive spin on the abysmal numbers. But some of us remember when the bike lane virus began in earnest in 2010, the city projected 6% of us would be biking by 2020. It has never gotten to even half that number, even as bike lanes keep expanding. It’s like “Field of Dreams” in reverse. Build it, and they will not come.
The Inquirer story quoted, of course, someone from the Bicycle Coalition, a “scared” cyclist, and a Villanova University environmental assistant prof. All were for more bike lanes.
Not a single quote from the other side, as usual, despite the journalism adage that there are two sides, at least, to every story.
At the Inquirer, not so much if the “other side” goes against the progressive narrative.
And yet there is another side, a side that says bike lanes are inherently dangerous because most accidents between cars and bikes happen at intersections, which can’t be “protected.” The danger is even worse when the cyclist is hidden from the motorist by a parked car, which is what happens in lanes “protected” by parked cars.
That danger was spelled out in a 2022 article in Forbes.
You don’t have to agree with it to acknowledge it. Two sides, right? The author of the Forbes piece quoted from industrial engineer John Forester’s 2012 book, “Effective Cycling”:
“Nobody with traffic-engineering training could believe that [bikeway] designs that so contradicted normal traffic-engineering knowledge would produce safe traffic movements.”
Let’s be real.
Bicycling riding — like driving cars or motorcycles — is an assumed risk. It is inherently dangerous. I knew that as a 5-year-old riding my Schwinn in traffic.
What we should be doing is reducing risk.
How? First by enforcing traffic laws which have been in a deep decline for a long time, as I recently reported. We have too many reckless drivers in Philadelphia.
Second, heighten driver education to make motorists more alert to cyclists.
Third, require that cyclists take a driver’s ed course to make them aware of drivers’ blind spots, and the geometry of turns, so they can avoid being crushed by a turning vehicle.
The thing not to do is reach for knee-jerk solutions, such as more bike lanes of dubious value.
Stu, thank you for being a heretic.
😇
On an unrelated topic, will Kamala and the Dems conduct a campaign of unity and civility that Joe Biden promised?
Of course they will — except for Republicans.
Please view the Youtube video series, “Not Just Bikes” about numerous city issues that the Dutch have solved which our planners go around in circles trying to reinvent the wheel, which the Dutch have already done. Bike lanes, smart traffic lights, roundabouts, pedestrian and bike crossings etc., are very practically and intelligently solved in Amsterdam. Mayor Parker, sent your department heads to Amsterdam. And from London, Paris and Berlin!
San Francisco has a different attitude regarding pedestrian and bike safety!
In SF, if you look like you are even thinking of crossing a street as a pedestrian, all the cars stop. Most amazing culture of pedestrian’s absolute right of way and bike riders are treated the same. Coming home to Philadelphia, I have to remember that the driving culture here is just the opposite. Aggressive driving with little care about bikes and pedestrians and it has become much worse since Isaiah Thomas’ misguided law specifically preventing police from numerous traffic stops was passed. A Completely Backward Regulation which has caused much more danger on our streets!
My friend, you echo my thoughts exactly! When I visited Amsterdam five years ago and stayed there for three days, I had the opportunity to see this in person. It is a completely different paradigm of mobility for all modalities and it works! Coincidentally, I am in a email chain with some of the folks mentioned in this article because I was intimately involved in traffic calming efforts (along with seeking enforcement of traffic laws) in my community as the chair of our RCO’s traffic committee. I often mention a strategy of of engagement with elected officials only if they agree to study and seek to implement the Dutch model. Their heads are so far in the sand or up their a—-s, they always disregard divergent opinions and instead follow the chants of the leadership of the bicycle coalition.
What ypu call SF is California law. Pedestrians have the absolute right of way. I WARN visitors from CA to NOT expect that here.
Pedestrians should always have the right of way.
If you persist in multiple replies to the same subject, I WILL start deleting them.
You are my guest and you have been warned.
Capise?
California has banned all non-EV vehicles, effective 2035. If a state can simply outlaw automobiles it dislikes, why can’t a city (say, Philadelphia) outlaw automobiles, thereby making bicycling safe? Idiotic? Of course, but we’re talking city government/bicycles here! Lunacy is on the table for discussion.
How about holding bikers accountable for running red lights? One morning while standing on a street corner (not a hugely busy main artery corner I might add) I counted 27 bikers running the red light in a 30 minute window of time. How about that? What does that safety-concerned bike coalition say about that?
The Dutch have traffic lights for bikes at intersections, so bikes following the traffic laws, stopped at the intersections, are given the green light before the green light for cars, so bikes get a head start and get their speed up.
Very practical, sensible and helps with safety.
Our mayor must send our various department heads abroad to learn from those bigger cities which have already solved these things.
Street cleaning, traffic smart lights, trash pick up, and on and on. Pot hole repair!!!
“Not Just Bikes” is a Youtube series that is a most-watch!!
Save millions of tax dollars now spent on provincial, half baked ideas that do not work, by simply going abroad, cost of a few plane tickets, and learning how to do most of these things successfully from our cousins over there.
They say nothing about illegal behavior and DO nothing about it.
I have yet to read, “family of 4 in minivan killed by cyclist”.
Pieces like this remind us all that Stu will write anything for attention. Definitely has a lot of “old man yells at cloud” energy. We all saw the video. Concrete protection at that intersection would have saved this young doctors life. It already been proven in cities across Europe and the US. Philly is no different.
Yes, moron, writers write to be READ, i.e., “get attention.”
Unlike gutless wonders who won’t put their name to their opinion, I use my name and provide links to authorities that back my opinions.
Did you follow the link to the Forbes piece that proves bike lanes are NOT effective? Of course not.
Philadelphia is a city of crime. This includes hit and run fatalities. You can’t safely cross the street in many areas of the city. It’s not safe riding a bike anywhere, let alone in center city. I think bike riding in Philadelphia has become “ride at your own risk”. If you still want to ride a bike wear a helmet ,follow road rules, put turn signals on your bike,(Don’t run red lights) and say your prayers. Good luck.
Excellent article, Stu.
Let’s be realists not idealists when it comes to safety for bicyclists in our city. First off everyone must understand, obey and respect the MVC laws of the Commonwealth of PA. That is not our current cultural situation. City Council obviously does believe MVC enforcement is wholly a good idea. Riding a bike in Philly is extremely dangerous because of impaired, reckless and apathetic vehicle operators. Philly is known as a walkable city. Today walking the streets can be dangerous because of reckless vehicle operators. Our streets were designed for the population of the 1700’s, 1800’s and 1900’s. To try and transplant European bicycle cultural to Philly would be a failure. Too many residents won’t and don’t buy into the rule of law. Responsible community members accept the supremacy of our laws and buy in and are responsible citizens. There are groups of individuals who are not accountable to anyone. An example are the groups of ATV’s, motor bikes, drag racers who menace our streets. An aging population with senior drivers who have health conditions that impair their ability to drive safely should be examined. Enforcement through electronic advancement, live stop (vehicle seizures), citations and arrests are a start to changing the culture toward safe driving. Educational classes could also contribute to helping reduce accidents in our city.
Raise the standards to get a driving license. In Germany, you have to be 18 & it takes 3-5 months of driving lessons & theory classes. Each practice drive & theory class are 90 min. The drivers ‘tests’ here are idiot tests.
BTW, e-bikes that can reach speeds of 30 mph should be licensed & insured. Drivers should get a motorcycle/scooter drivers license.
I have definitely observed increased bycicle traffic on the Washington Avenue corridor in South Philadelphia.
We will see if that is noted in next year’s census. I have been tracking this for a decade. The % ranges from 1.9 to 2.3%.