It's Our City is a project that uses TV, Radio and Web
to promote civic engagement in the Philadelphia region.Philly to bicyclists: Get off the sidewalk
Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 6:13 pm - by Alan Tu. Filed under: Community.
Riding on a sidewalk can be dangerous as shown here
Update: 7/16/09 - I called over to the Mayor’s Office to see if this was ever passed. Sure, enough, Mayor Nutter signed the bill into law on June 24.
fyi: 6/16/09 - 5:01 p.m. Police say a woman riding her bicycle (with her dog in a backpack) was hit by a taxicab early this morning on south Broad Street. She and the dog survived. full story
The Philadelphia City Council is considering raising the fine for riding your bike on a sidewalk in the city limits.
What?
It’s illegal to ride a bike on a sidewalk?
I had no idea that riding your bike on the sidewalk in Philly is illegal. I always thought the sidewalk was there for amateur bicyclists and the street was for the more seasoned and confident riders.
According to the law, bicyclists age 13 12 and older are supposed to ride in the streets with the cars and buses. If you caught on the sidewalks it is a $10 fine. Under the new proposed law (pdf), violators could get slapped with a $50 ticket.
So, how come no one ever told me? Apparently non enforcement of this law is to blame for why most of us never knew this.
I called the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia because I thought they would be mad about raising the fines on sidewalk bikers. But the Bicycle Coalition represents the hard core riders who fully embrace their right to go pedal-to-pedal with the big dogs. These are the riders who dodge bus mirrors, car door openings, and Joey Vento’s rage. In fact, they actually patrol some areas to educate bicyclists to get off the sidewalks.
Here’s more from John Boyle with the Bicycle Coalition.
We realize that bicyclists on the sidewalk is a chronic problem in Philadelphia, our bicycle traffic counts reveal that about one in four bicyclists are using the sidewalk in Center City. Resolving that problem will take an extensive campaign that includes enforcement of the law, education of bicyclists and engineering improvements on the street to encourage bicycle travel. While the Bicycle Coalition does not have the authority to enforce the law or make engineering changes, our Bicycle Ambassadors are out on the street educating cyclists about the dangers of bicycles on the sidewalk. As it turns many do not know that it is against the law while others contend that the streets are too dangerous to bike in.
But wait there’s another surprise. This bill is much bigger than how I would choose to ride to Wawa.
According to John Boyle, advocacy director for The Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition, the heart of this bill has more to do with the planned overhaul of the Delaware River waterfront
The origin of the bill came because Columbus Blvd will be designated as a part of the Central Delaware Waterfront Trail. The City has already put striping down on the sidewalk as part of the implementation process.
To make that happen, this bill includes a provision that will allow the Philadelphia Streets Department to designate some sidewalks bike friendly.
So, get off the sidewalks and into the road. Also, wear a helmet and whatever you do, don’t use a cell phone on your bike.
June 15th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I saw these lines south of Penn’s landing and thought what a weak attempt at a bicycle/running lane. Go check them out. They turn into a single lane on occasion. Come on philadelphia, make a REAL commitment to a bicycle/running lane! Take the driving lane closest to the river and making it into a two way bike/running/skating lane!
June 15th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Amateur bicyclists doing things like riding on the sidewalk, riding the wrong way in bike lanes or one-way streets, and running stop signs / red lights at the wrong times contribute to putting EVERY biker in greater danger.
When drivers see bikers on the sidewalk, they assume that’s the norm and act aggressively towards bikers who are (correctly) in the street. They are wheeled pedestrians– not going much faster than walking, but much more dangerous for themselves and others.
When drivers get cut off by a biker making a poor decision at a red light or stop sign, they get aggressive towards all bikers. Riding against traffic is just dumb, and causes accidents DIRECTLY.
Cops need to start enforcing really egregious violations and forget about a biker running a light when there’s obviously little danger (though I’ve never seen enforcement of that either).
June 15th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
BICYCLISTS TO PHILLY:
Create safer streets for bicyclists by installing more bike lanes and by educating motorists through street signage and on-air, print and online PSAs.
Bicyclists are citizens and are entitled to safe riding conditions. Philadelphia has a responsibility to make streets less hazardous and less hostile for bicyclists.
Bicyclists are doing their part to create a green city. The city needs to do their part by creating safe streets for its bicyclists.
June 15th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Joey Vento’s rage… ha. Classic. With my new route to work I miss getting to cycle by Geno’s and Joey’s hideously orange Hummer.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I agree with previous comment that motorists need to be educated (newspaper ads, online ads, TV spots) and the city must install more SHARE the street signs.
Also, a good read on this subject for those who really care about the subject: PEDALING REVOLUTION: How Cyclists are Changing American Cities by Jeff Mapes.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Having almost been run over by a cyclist on the sidewalk, I strongly support this law. Cyclists over 13 need to ride in the street AND obey ALL traffic laws, not just the ones they find convenient. When I drive, I come to a complete stop at stop signs, use turn signals when turning and changing lanes, and use headlights at night and during rain, snow, and overcast conditions. Bikers need to do the same or face the consequences of their illegal activities.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:04 am
good! Too many cyclists on the sidewalks…I got hit in the back by a handle bar the other day.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Question. How do you ticket a 12-year old? I didn’t have any kind of identification until I was 15, when I got my driving permit.
No wonder the law isn’t enforced - it’s unenforceable for kids that don’t have some kind of state identification.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
It maybe less enforceable for 14 year olds, but the hairy idiot who almost ran me over the other day was pushing 30.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I was looking closer at the bill and the city code and noticed that it says 12 and over cannot ride on Philadelphia sidewalks. I know many of you are victims of hit and run victims by bad bikers on sidewalks, but shouldn’t a 12 year old be able to ride on a sidewalk?
June 17th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Center City police patrols need to enforce this as a matter of policy, they do not because they are probably just as ignorant of the law as the bicyclists. The police need to get out of their cars, and re-start foot patrols. The City needs to put signs up stating it is against the law to ride on sidewalks. The handicap ramps at each intersection should be spray-painted with a logo clearly indicating not to ride on sidewalks.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:02 am
I don’t ride my bike very often, but there have been times I did ride in places like Center City and around my neighborhood around South Philly/South West Philly. Unfortunately, I’m one of them people who do ride on the sidewalk…but that’s because the streets can REALLY get very scary and dangerous, and I’m not that big of a bike expert to go at it with the cars on road all the time. Some inconsiderate drivers get overly close to you, very uncomfortably close, and then possibly honk on you loudly. It’s really not very nice riding side by side with big vehicles, especially when you’re not a hard-core biker yet and is trying to find your way. My stepdad did tell me that bikes are considered as vehicles, so the traffic rules must be observed even when on bikes…so I do try to ride on the street when I can. But I mostly do ride on the sidewalk, most especially when it’s empty and cars are abuzzing.
If Philadelphia streets will be made safer, and more biker friendly, I really would like to be able to follow the rules…just that now, I’d rather be paranoid and safe (if only for my worried mom), and keep watch on my way for fellow pedestrians. I agree some bikers can actually be considered pedestrians on wheels, while others can be put in line with automobile drivers.
Also agree on the suggestion of making some sidewalks bike friendly…have that share the road sort of thing
June 26th, 2009 at 11:42 am
The post by Janna is a clear example of what is wrong. She admits she rides on the sidewalks and will continue to do so. Being afraid to ride in the street is not an excuse, then walk the bike on the sidewalk if the stretch of street you want to go on is “scary”. It is not acceptable to endanger pedestrians. It is also not acceptable to go westbound on Chestnut Street on the sidewalk because you do not want to ride on the street against the east bound traffic flow, you need to to the right thing, like cars have to do, and ride on Walnut or Market Street! Raise the fine to $100 and confiscate the bikes from offenders who can’t produce ID on the spot when and if the police ever decide to enforce the law.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I am a bicyclist who rides between West Philly, Center City. I am in my late 50s and cannot ride as fast to keep up with car traffic as I used to be able.
I guess I ride 90% on the roads, and 10% use the sidewalks; I use discretion with that, slowing down to slightly faster than a walk, and dismount and walk if the sidewalk is crowded. This usually is on the stretch of Walnut going west before the Sunoco Station when there is no bike lane, and the potholes where I would ride are bad.
I miss the South Street bridge, which was my favored route to go west.
I also stop ( really ) at most lights and stop signs, I feel like a chump sometimes as others zip right past me. I imagine what the drivers waiting beside me are thinking.
A bit OT, I saw two instances of bicyclists riding and texting! it was obvious their total attention was not on the road.
July 6th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
To Marion and the other rationalizers for breaking the law: While driving my car, I will 10% of the time decide which laws suit me and those that don’t. I will stop at “most” red lights and stop signs. I will tell the police officer who writes me a moving violation for that absurd mentality, that the road was not busy and what’s the big deal anyway?
In sum, if you won’t ride the bike on the road ALL of the time because of the scary cars then you need stop riding the bike, start walking and see how bad the problem is.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
bicyclists don’t ride on the sidewalk because they enjoy breaking the law. they do it because it’s safer than being in the street.
i drive and bike and walk plenty in this city. everybody wants their personal space respected. and bikers have to deal with more disrespect than either drivers or walkers.
drivers and pedestrians get along because they both have designated lanes. bikers cannot be expected to keep up with traffic or slow down for pedestrians, they really need their own lane. one that isn’t used for parking, or is full of potholes, or cuts across a major turning lane or on-ramp.
so i’ll continue to ride on the street, sqeezing to let cars pass by. when i’m on broad st i’ll continue to ride on the sidewalk and give full respect to pedestrians. when there’s a bike line i’ll happily stay out of everybody’s personal space.
July 15th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
To Brian2: Maybe you should pay attention to the following pledge, especially item 4, as taken from the website of the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia. The people that are trying to lobby for bicyclists, even ones like you who don’t obey the law because they can’t do the right thing and walk their bike along sidewalks ALL OF TIME. I hope the police slap you with the $50 fine; multiply you times everyone else out there and we are talking about thousands of dollars in fines every day. In New York City, the police actually enforce their own similar laws against sidewalk riding. Enjoy.
I PLEDGE TO…
1) be a safe and considerate bicyclist 2) respect the rights of pedestrians, motorists and fellow bicyclists 3) follow the rules of the road 4) ride my bike on the street and walk my bike on the sidewalk 5) use front and rear lights when bicycling from dusk until dawn 6) not lock my bike to trees 7) be predictable and visible to all road users
stay calm and collected in times of traffic conflict 9) follow trail etiquette when riding on multi-use trails 10) not wear headphones or use my cell phone while riding 11) wear a helmet 12) encourage my friends and family to ride more often 13) smile and enjoy my ride.
July 15th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
1. I frequently see bicycle police riding on the sidewalk, especially in West Phila.
2. Traffic patterns and laws — for example, one-way streets, traffic lights, etc. — are structured for the convenience and efficiency of cars. Sidewalks were created for pedestrians. For cyclists, bike lanes are a beginning, but only a beginning, to accommodate their needs.
July 28th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
All of you police state folks out there who want cyclists only on the road and use “studies” saying ooh danger to cyclist, danger to pedestrian and so on….
Studies (and common sense) also show:
Driver-to-cyclist accidents usually end in FATALITY to the cyclist
Cyclist-to-pedestrian accidents usually end in INJURY to the pedestrian
If you do not share the ROAD someone will die!
If you do not share the SIDEWALK someone will hurt!
Obviously, burden of effort is on those with greater lethal and or injurious force
But to save lives, instead of cyclist association or similar enthusiasts’ agendas, it is only reasonable to promote SIDEWALK sharing between pedestrians and cyclists OVER and above ROAD sharing between drivers and cyclists.
In any event, cyclists have always had a problem with driver failing to see them. So have pedestrians. Pedestrians have a dramatically higher rate of death by DRIVER: on the sidewalk, in the crosswalk, in the parking garage, on the side of the road, and on the curb ready to cross among others.
Leading cause of fatalities to pedestrians=drivers
Leading cause of fatalities to cyclists=drivers
Limiting all parties contact with DRIVERS is the only conclusion for anyone not caught in this “mental real estate-rights-to-the-ROAD” illusion.
“Rights” are with the cyclists and pedestrians but their “lives” are “with” the driver’s ability to BE HUMAN! And that includes making MISTAKES.
Sharing the ROAD with these potentially DEADLY drivers should be done by experienced or inexperience persons by CHOICE not by force of some police state, interest group or someone who doesn’t want to suffer potential INJURY by a wayward biker. Sure, nobody wants a potential injury, but opposed to what, a potential fatality for someone else? Isn’t this some kind of Godly nation? Or is that just too inconvenient?
In most cases injury is preferable to death
ALL HUMANS MAKE MISTAKES!
Think in “Lives” not “Leisure”
August 11th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Enough already about this topic. The law says it is illegal to rid a bicycle on sidewalks. Other cities have the same laws. Get with it and do the right thing. This is not condoning a police state - what an absurd comment. And to the idiot who chose to break the law and run into me while I was walking on the sidewalk along the Ben Franklin Parkway at 24th Street while you the bicyclist had a perfectly good and non-obstructed bike lane to use just 4 feet away: A hearty Thank You for reinforcing my already low opinion of bicyclists.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
@Pete - Andre Steed, the pedestrian struck by the hit and run bicyclist on October 15th at 16th & Locust died of his injuries this weekend. It is still unclear if this happened on a sidewalk. It that was the case will you continue to advocate sidewalk sharing between pedestrians and bicyclists? Especially in a business district where it is now against the law and for good reason?
I continue to have close calls on sidewalks with bicyclists while walking. This is getting out of hand.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Well, it’s first week of November 2009, there’s a SEPTA strike on, the sidewalks are more crowded than ever and there are more bicyclists on the sidewalks than ever. When are the police going to start enforcing this law? Do we need someone else to die? As to most bicyclists being ignorant of the law, that’s a lot of hooey. They know they’re breaking the law. They know they’re not supposed to be on the sidewalk; but, they don’t care because they know the can be on the sidewalk with impunity. Whenever, I mention to a rider that they should be in the street I invariably get the old “f–k you.” The type of thing somebody says when they know they’re wrong but do like being called out on it.
January 8th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
There was supposed to be an enforcement push to get bikes off Center City sidewalks in November. If anything it was a one week event. There are more bikes on sidewalks now than ever before. Last night on Broad Street, from Spruce through Chestnut, I counted no less than 9 bicyclists on the sidewalk.
January 11th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Last month, I was walking on sidewalk on S. 15th St (walking north, on east side of street, near Applebee’s)…a bicyclist (male, 20s) comes through alley street, veers onto the east sidewalk heading south, and BARELY missed my 6′3″ 210 lb frame…I yelled at him as he went by, “You’re illegal NO SIDEWALKS, AND a (expletive deleted) idiot!” If I was a few years younger and without a heavy laptop bag on my shoulder, I would’ve run down the S.O.B. and called in a citizen’s arrest. B*S*T*R*D !!
July 27th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Thanks to the bicyclist on the sidewalk heading north on 12th Street, ostensibly to avoid being killed by oncoming southbound traffic, but you almost hit me. When told you belong in the street you say “I know” and keep on pedaling up the sidewalk.
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:47 am
TheRe’S alot of strange comments and adgendas on this thread.
To the ones who say the cyclists are in the way on the sidewalk..I wonder how many times they’ve driven behind a cyclist on lombard riding 4 mph in rush-hour traffic with aLL the cabs and cars having to swirve swirve swirve to get aorund them and nearly bumping fenders and having backups because the rider won’t go on the sidewalk when NOBODY’S THERE .
And as a biker I’ve nearly hit a few pedestrians in fifteen years ..all on the STREET because they didn’t expect to see a biKe there (and i’ve seen thAT happen to others multiple times)
I don’t know what kind of cyclists are going around hitting pedestrians ..i’m surprised because don’t think in 15 years i’ve ever seen a cyclist make contact with a pedestrian on the sidewalk ..or even had it happen to a friend etc..
(I might be missing it though ..I havn’t been walking around center city much recently and there might be a new breed of obnoxious cyclers)
I just keep it sensible and simple ..if I can “Keep Up with traffic” and not be in the way I ride on the streets ..as soon as cars are coming up behind me i’m onto the sidewalks AND Sloowed down to walking or jogging speed AND coasting around people sloowly.
basically the only sensible version I’ve heard of the law is the one that quite a few states have where ..
*If you’re riding Above a certain speed you’re Supposed to be on the streeT.
*If you’re riding Below a certain speed you’re supposed to be on the sidewalK.
The most Dangerous and ObnoXious statement that I’ve ever read though about it was in a Cyclists Manual saying that you’re supposed to be on the street and “don;t ride off to the side..’Own’ your lane and ride in the center etc.”
!!!HolY CRAP!!! ..is thAT why all the JERKS on the cycles won’t move over 2ft so I can get by in my little Geo and get the %^@& Down the FrEaKiN STREET!!??!! ..wow
I see the problem as more of a philadelphia / pennylvania problem I’ve noticed of people not caring about other people enough .
Chris