Bikes

The many, many streets where pedicabs can't go

POSTED: Thursday, June 3, 2010, 4:13 PM

Filed Under: Bikes | News

Courtesy of phila.gov

Click here to enlarge.

Courtesy of phila.gov

Click here to enlarge.

In this week's A Million Stories, we told you that pedicabs technically made their debut in Philadelphia last weekend technically, because they still can't operate on Market, South, Arch, Broad, Second, 11th, 12th, Oregon, Pattison, Frankford and many, many other streets.

Wanna see how many, exactly? Look above. Red means the big, bad pedicab is never allowed there. Yellow means the streets are off limits from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Tweets that mention The many, many streets where pedicabs cant go: Courtesy of phila.gov Click here to enlarge. Courtesy of phila.g... -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-03 12:27:21

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vance Lehmkuhl and Daily News, Philly News Now. Philly News Now said: The many, many streets where pedicabs cant go: Courtesy of phila.gov Click here to enlarge. Courtesy of phila.g... http://bit.ly/8YHs3p [...]

Paul

Posted 2010-06-03 15:03:27

Honestly, I could think of a few good reasons to ban pedicabs from Old City, and perhaps even some other neighborhoods. Philly's streets are unusually narrow for it's size and population. And Old City is a complete traffic clusterfuck as it is...  (made worse by horse-drawn tourist carriages) especially on weekend. And when I think of some poor bastard slowly dragging around two (probably overweight) people on a pedicab.... it just makes me wince.

Posted by Holly Otterbein @ 4:13 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Thwart the Daily News' stupid poll and vote yes for bike lanes

POSTED: Thursday, May 27, 2010, 5:39 PM

Filed Under: Bikes | News

Stu: J'accuse!

Stu Stu Bykofsky I know you're out there. I don't know if you supplied the language for the recent Daily News poll on bike lanes, but . . . j'accuse!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the following rather unfavorably-worded poll has been posted on the Daily News website. So biased, grouchy, and deeply insecure is the language that I suspect the hand of none other than the Daily News' own Stu Bykofsky, who recently engaged in a maddening online debate with the Bicycle Coalition's Alexy Doty.

Maddening, I say, because whether he's behind this poll or not Stu seems to have made himself the journalistic point-man on bicycling simply by virtue of being denser and meaner than anyone else to the city's growing population of people who happen to use bikes to get around.

His latest bout may have been triggered by the city's new bicycle/pedestrian plan, which calls for over 200 miles of new bike lanes. Stu feels that the welfare of drivers is threatened by bike lanes. I disagree: I think the welfare of drivers is threatened by other drivers. Bikes don't cause traffic cars do.

Look: Do I think the city needs 200 miles of new bike lanes? No. But I think it'll be a better city for them. So I encourage you to vote yes, and, yes, stick it to Stu. So far, the forces of Stu-vil have been kept at bay:

aLex

Posted 2010-05-27 15:14:38

I love it when you beg for support. It is so dignified.

Paul Curci

Posted 2010-05-27 15:46:27

I guess if you've never used a bike as a means of transportation, you can't really appreciate the value of getting across town and beyond on two wheels, and how incredibly freeing it is to have the modicum of safety that bike lanes provide. 

I spent last weekend in Quebec City. Not only do they have bike lanes on nearly every street, but also along certain pedestrian walkways. We rode all day long, traveled over 10 miles outside the city, and never so much as thought about being run down by a car. Biking in the city provides a level of exhilaration not possible with driving... which is frustrating in the city. 

This is a quality of life issue. And, you just can't appreciate it until you've tried it.

Jen

Posted 2010-05-27 17:08:26

If more bike lanes everywhere means more bicyclists will use them and get off the sidewalks, please do it. Even though that will still continue given how easy it is to get way with it and the current police attitude on enforcement. I would be against utilizing them on streets which serve as exit arterials to the interstates, especially at rush hour.  Giving up a vehicle lane on those streets will make make for extended idling times for cars at the red lights and make life miserable for those living on that stretch of street, such as breathing in the exhaust fumes and putting up with the incessant honking of impatient drivers.

Posted 2010-05-27 17:14:11

For inspiration why not check out street pictures of a city that really knows how to bike: http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/

And if you can hardly believe there are that many bikers who don't even wear helmets seemingly because they have no worries about getting hit by a car, look---they use cargo bikes IN THE SNOW: http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/search/label/cargo%20bike%20culture

Oh and (almost missed this) they must not be training for the olympics because they also smoke while biking: http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/search/label/eating%20drinking%20smoking%20on%20a%20bike

Asim13285

Posted 2010-06-04 02:40:09

Two intoxicated Fairborn men were severely beaten and robbed in the early morning hours Thursday, May 27, in Daytons Oregon District.

Asim13285

Posted 2010-06-06 09:08:08

If more bike lanes everywhere means more bicyclists will use them and get off the sidewalks, please do it. Even though that will still continue given how easy it is to get way with it and the current police attitude on enforcement. I would be against

RealTime - Questions: "Poll-Have you ever been robbed?"

Posted 2010-12-01 09:08:33

[...]  [...]

Posted by Isaiah Thompson @ 5:39 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Dept. of gathering shitstorms: Bykofsky, Doty to engage in live bike chat

POSTED: Monday, May 24, 2010, 3:52 PM

Filed Under: Bikes

Our old pal Doron Taussig from It's Our Money e-mails with this delicious news:

Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky, he of the many columns excoriating cyclists, bike lanes, etc., will be doing one of those live online chat things over on philly.com's Earth to Philly blog at 1 p.m. He'll be joined by Bicycle Coalition executive director Alex Doty and they will attempt to rip each other a new one have a civilized discussion with each other and you the readers about the state of cycling/driving/walking in the city. I'm sure it will be enlightening, as these types of things tend to devolve into acrimonious namecalling and ad hominem attacks be.

Get in on the action here.

What kind of live bait is good for bass fishing? | Pro Bass Fishing Blogger

Posted 2010-05-25 17:20:03

[...] Dept. &#959f gathering shitstorms: Bykofsky, Doty t&#959 engage &#1110&#1495 live … [...]

Posted by Brian Howard @ 3:52 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Ride of Silence this WednesdayTODAY: A Q&A with organizer Ray Scheinfeld

POSTED: Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 12:12 AM

Filed Under: Bikes

Back in 2006, we told you about the very first Philadelphia Ride of Silence, a slow quiet procession designed to commemorate those killed while cycling.

This year, on the eve of the 5th annual event an approximately 8-mile, 1.5-hour ride starting at the foot of the front steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum on the Ben Franklin Parkway Wed., May 19, 6:45 P.M. we shot a few questions at Ray Scheinfeld, one of the organizers of the now-tradition.

The Clog: How has the ride changed since the first one?

Ray Scheinfeld: We are better organized to put the ride together and we notice that a lot of people know about the ride now compared to the first one. In addition, we have attracted a lot more riders since the first one.

This is sort of a broad question, but does the ride work? Anecdotally or statistically, how has Philadelphia become more aware of cyclists and better toward cyclists?

This has been the first year that no riders from Philadelphia City were killed. That may not be the result of the ROS but we hope it stays that way in future years. I think that the ride is a small part of the improvement of the biking scene in Philly, but one of the best parts of the ROS is that it helps bring the entire Bike Community together; racers, messengers, commuters, recreational riders, recumbent bikers, etc. This combination of different riders and styles of riding don't often align in purpose and direction but during the ROS we are one!

Last year saw a new ride with (at least some) similar goals to the Ride of Silence. I'm speaking, of course, of the Philadelphia Naked Bike Ride. The World Naked Bike Ride (the inspiration for the PNBR) lists among it's myriad raisons d'etre increasing awareness of the vulnerability of cyclists by making riders aware that there's just a layer of clothes protecting us. Are the Ride of Silence and the PNBR friends? Do you feel that you are kindred spirits?

We both have different approaches in riding style ;-) but I don't see us at odds in our general purpose which is to show that bikes belong and are fun. We of course are more serious in our presentation. When I am out riding my bike I see a wide range of interesting bikes, riders and rider behavior but the important thing to me and my co-organizer John is that they are riding a bike.

You're hoping to get 500 riders out this year. How has attendance been since the first? Has it generally been going up? What was the turnout for the first year?

We would very much like to reach 500 riders this year but the ride is most affected by the weather conditions. We ride rain or shine, but we have taken to promising the people we talk to about the ride that we can guarantee no snow. The number of riders has generally increased since the first year when we had 150 bikes. The following year in a rainstom we had 57 hardy but wet riders. We have had up to 300 riders participating in the last several years. Some places like Dallas have over 1,000 riders participating in their ROS ride. We hope to one day reach that level of participation.

The Ride of Silence, Wed., May 19, 6:45 P.M, The 8 mile long route will start at the foot of the front steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum on the Ben Franklin Parkway. A brief pre-ride dedication ceremony will take place at 6:45 PM and the ride will start promptly at 7:00 P.M. It will proceed down the Parkway, circle City Hall, continue to Independence Hall, and head over to West Philly via the Walnut St. Bridge. The ride will return to the front of the Art Museum over the Spring Garden Street Bridge. The duration of the ride is expected to be 1.5 hours. Helmets are required and bicycle lights are encouraged.

Technically Philly » Thanks for attending our May Meetup @ Dark Horse Pub | Covering the Community of People Who Use Technology in Philadelphia.

Posted 2010-05-20 11:47:36

[...] was a busy evening in our community, in addition to the Ride of Silence and a Phillies game, and we still got the chance to talk shop at the main [...]

Posted by Brian Howard @ 12:12 AM Permalink | Post a comment

Tonight: Cheap bike sale to fund Neighborhood Bike Works' newest DIY bicycle workshop

POSTED: Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 10:21 PM

Filed Under: Bikes | News

http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org/

Neighborhood Bike Works the Philadelphia nonprofit dedicated to engaging kids through learning how to build and maintain bicycles is expanding one of its programs with almost Napoleonic speed.

For years, there has been "Bike Church": the free, volunteer-run bicycle workshop, based on Penn's campus, where amateur and expert alike can borrow tools, a work stand, and plenty of collective wisdom to work on his or her own bicycle. (Disclosure: I'm an occasional volunteer there myself.)

Then, recently, came "Bike Temple" no, not a Jewish version of the same program, but the same thing based near Temple University's campus.

Now comes yet another: Haddington Bike Church, based at 230 N. Salford St., near the 60th and Market stop on the Market Frankford Line. They'll be open Wednesdays, from 6:30 to 9:00 P.M.

Proceeds from donations and sales at all three go toward the nonprofit's programming.

They open tonight, and kick things off with a used bicycle sale. Bikes start at $50, according to this handy little flier:

Tweets that mention Tonight: Cheap bike sale to fund Neighborhood Bike Works newest DIY bicycle workshop :: The Clog :: Blog Archive :: Staff Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-04-29 04:51:24

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Jesse D

Posted 2010-04-29 07:57:12

Neighborhood Bike Works is also having a bike sale at its 39th and Locust Walk location (Bike Church) this Friday, April 30 from 12 to 6 p.m.

Local Car Auction Reviews | Salvage Car Sale

Posted 2010-04-29 09:17:02

[...] Tonight: Cheap bike sale t&#959 fund Neighborhood Bike Works’ newest DIY bicycle workshop :: T... [...]

Posted by Isaiah Thompson @ 10:21 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Courteous (not Critical) Mass to hit the streets on April 10

POSTED: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 6:47 PM

Filed Under: Bikes | Sporting Life

Photo | Courtesy of Biking Buck

Critical Mass is fun and all, but it's kinda intense. This is a nice alternative:

Courteous Mass is an effort to change the tone of recent debates about bicycling and bicyclists in Philadelphia. Bicyclists who join this ride are asked obey the rules of the road. Courteous Mass provides an opportunity for all bicyclists to demonstrate that sharing the road is a two way street requiring action on the part of all road users.

The first (as far as we know?) Philadelphia Courteous Mass will take place on Sat., April 10 at 10 a.m., meeting where Locust Street crosses the Schuylkill River Trail. RSVP here, and bring your helmets and hand signals.

Posted by Holly Otterbein @ 6:47 PM Permalink | Post a comment

First day of spring = biketopia

POSTED: Friday, March 19, 2010, 9:32 PM

Filed Under: Bikes

Photo | Neal Santos

God, it's nice to remember that biking can be more than a strictly utilitarian way to get around the city again. There are a couple events going on this weekend that may be of interest if you, too, are rediscovering your love of the steel steed:

Your bike hit hard by this year's nasty winter? Head to Neighborhood Bike Works (3916 Locust Walk, 215-386-0316) on Sat., March 20, for its Cheap Bike Sale (which we're told will also include cheap bike parts).

Or, if you're in the mood to wear a costume, ride a bike, and sprinkle seeds around the city like a green guerrilla, check out the Spring Equinox Bike Ride that leaves at Locust and the Schuylkill (the loop at Schuylkill Banks) at 3 p.m. on Sat., March 20. Be prepared to shed a piece of clothing at one of the stop-off points (worry not shy folk, scarves/bracelets/jackets are fair game).

And don't forget about the tiny bike race on Saturday that startern/Showdown-ette Julia West covered over in Agenda.

Know of any other bike happenings this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

Posted by Holly Otterbein @ 9:32 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Take this bike survey now

POSTED: Monday, March 15, 2010, 6:21 PM

Filed Under: Bikes | Sporting Life

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the sharp and diligent folks charged with getting elected officials in Philly and the surrounding 8 counties (in PA and NJ) on the same page on planning matters, is asking for input on cycling issues. Their Shifting Gears: Regional Bicycle Outreach and Priority Setting project is looking for feedback from cyclists and non-cyclists in the form of a short survey.

Shifting Gears is an outreach program by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to help determine bicycle issues and priorities for our region. Shifting Gears seeks the input from bicyclists and non-bicyclists like you through an online survey at www.dvrpc.org/shiftinggears.

The online survey only takes about 5-10 minutes and asks questions about bicycle use, facilities, policy, and information on what would best enhance the cycling environment.

Please go to www.dvrpc.org/shiftinggears and tell us what is on your mind. If you already took the survey, then forward this email to a friend, or five friends, do not keep it to yourself. Bicyclists of any level, as well as non-bicyclists are invited to participate.

Swing on over to dvrpc.org/shiftinggears and weigh in.

uberVU - social comments

Posted 2010-03-16 00:18:35

Social comments and analytics for this post...

This post was mentioned on Twitter by phillynewsnow: Take this Bike Survey Now: The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the sharp and diligent folks charged ... http://bit.ly/djl6Ci...

Posted by Brian Howard @ 6:21 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Have you tried Google's new bike maps feature?

POSTED: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 8:35 PM

Filed Under: Bikes | Web Junk

You should. It's pretty amazing. I tried it yesterday, when it debuted, going from The Clog headquarters to Studio 34 and by golly, it knew where bike lanes were and where the South Street Bridge wasn't and everything!

I bet Stu Bykofsky is drafting an anti-Google bike maps column as we speak.

JonP

Posted 2010-03-11 17:11:47

Plugging in my commute from Bella Vista to Market Street west of Broad produced goofy results. It tried to send me through all these tiny streets in Wash West. It's not the way I choose to go.

Posted by Holly Otterbein @ 8:35 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Floyd Landis wanted in France

POSTED: Monday, February 15, 2010, 5:37 PM

Filed Under: Bikes | Sporting Life

News is breaking that Lancaster native Floyd Landis, who won the 2006 Tour de France and was then stripped of his title for testing positive for elevated testosterone levels, has had an arrest warrant issued against him.

According to an AP report, "French judge Thomas Cassuto is seeking to question Landis about computer hacking dating back to September 2006."

(h/t Jon Solomon)

Posted by Brian Howard @ 5:37 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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