Good news for cyclists: Six blocks of bike lanes on Spruce and Pine Streets will re-open to bikers on Sundays thanks to an agreement between Tenth Presbyterian Church. Given the recent uptick in cyclist deaths, including a CHOP doctor hit by a reckless driver on Spruce Street last month, pressure to re-open the crucial East-West route mounted.
Unbeknownst to many Philadelphians, churches and religious sites can use permits to allow cars parked in bike lanes, but this has resulted in clogged streets, traffic jams and dangerous workarounds for bikers. The change to shut down parking came after pressure from protests of Philly Bike Action, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Phila, and 5th Square. Other churches have also removed parking permits during service hours across the city: Saint Peter's Church and Old Saint Joseph's Church in Society, and the Philadelphia Ethical Society on Rittenhouse Square.
A petition from bike advocacy organizations is being presented to City Council President Kenyatta Johnson this week, calling for more protected bike lanes across high-volume areas of the city. Bike safety has long been a hot-button issue in Philadelphia; this year, the Parker administration cut $1.5 million from Vision Zero projects, raising concerns over safe streets again.
Tenth Presbyterian Church is awaiting approval from the city for a new permit to expand its on-street parking capacity. Philly Bike Action hopes Society Hill Synagogue and Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel Synagogue in Rittenhouse will follow suit.