Philadelphia's Bike Lane Expansion Pauses For Penndot Street Work
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A pilot program adding two north-south bicycle lanes in Center City is under way, at least half way.
The City of Philadelphia plans a six-month test of dedicated bike lanes on southbound 10th Street and on northbound 13th Street, between South Street and Spring Garden. These take the place of one car lane on each street.
Deputy mayor Rina Cutler says the 13th Street lane has been painted and is now open for use. But not so, 10th Street.
"We started painting the bike lanes up to Market. PennDOT has a project on the northern part of that route, so we're going to wait until after they do their paving to do the bikes lanes. And that will start sometime in September," Cutler tells KYW Newsradio.
She says that like the previously created bike lanes on Spruce and Pine Streets, these will boost safety for everyone.
"Trying to keep bicyclists in their own lanes, separated as much as possible from the traffic, is most definitely a traffic calming measure."
Cutler says the number of car-bicycle accidents on Spruce and Pine has dropped 45 percent since those bike lanes were added.
And she says that after the six-month trial, the new north-south bike lanes will be reevaluated, with community input welcome.
Reported by KYW City Hall bureau chief Mike Dunn
