By Yia Lu Liu
Imagine riding your bike down the bustling streets of South Philadelphia, dodging potholes, squeezing between parked cars,and praying that the next driver sees you in time. For too many cyclists in our city this isn’t just a nerve-wracking commute; it’s a daily reality.
Living in South Philly, I bike to and from the hospital for work every week. The route has become second nature by now, yet I am constantly on high alert — dodging double-parked cars and bracing for the possibility of coming in contact with a car door opening suddenly. The danger of cycling in this city hit painfully close to home in July 2024, when Barbara Friedes, a loving wife, caring daughter and compassionate doctor — was killed by a motor vehicle while cycling home from work. She was following all the traffic laws trying to get home. This is a routine journey that’s all too familiar to many healthcare workers living in the city. Her devastating death is one of many in a city where the streets are built for cars not cyclists.
South Philadelphia is densely packed with cars, cyclists and pedestrians, all competing for limited space. It’s no surprise that riding a bike in these conditions is often dangerous. In urban areas like ours, bicycle fatalities have steadily risen due to the lack of safe, designated lanes. Philadelphia has seen a staggering rise in cyclist injuries, with 29% increase in bike-related injuries over the past five years. According to data from Philadelphia Office of Transportation, pedestrian and cyclist deaths accounted for over a third of traffic fatalities, a number that can improve with better urban planning.
For cyclists, cycling isn’t just a hobby — it’s a primary mode of transportation, especially for healthcare workers like Dr. Friedes. However, our streets remain a nightmare. Sharing the road with cars shouldn’t be a gamble between life and death. It’s time we take action to make our streets safer for all.
A proposed solution, HB1283, aims to address this danger by legalizing parking-protected bike lanes. These lanes will place parked cars or physical barriers (e.g., concrete poles) between cyclists and moving vehicles, offering significant protection.
A parking-protected bike lane creates a designated, separated space for cyclists, ensuring that they are no longer forced to ride alongside fast-moving traffic. Such infrastructure doesn’t just safeguard cyclists; it also relieves the burden on pedestrians, who are often squeezed by bikes sharing narrow sidewalks.
Beyond safety, parking-protected bike lanes promote healthier, more sustainable transportation. When people feel secure on the road, they’re more likely to choose cycling over driving. This not only reduces traffic congestion but also lessens pollution, helping us move toward a more environmentally friendly future.
Not everyone agrees with the idea of parking-protected bike lanes. Some might argue that reducing the space for cars will lead to more traffic and congestion, especially on South
Philadelphia’s already crowded streets. They worry that narrowing the roads will make it harder for large vehicles like delivery trucks and buses to get through. Although these are very valid concerns, busy cities like New York City and Chicago found that with proper urban planning, traffic congestion did not increase significantly with the implementation of parking protected bike lanes. The New York City Department of Transportation and Chicago’s Active Transportation Alliance documented in their studies that while some areas might experience short-term adjustments, the overall flow of traffic stabilizes and the safety benefits outweigh initial concerns.
Another argument is the cost of installing parking-protected bike lanes is too high. Some might point out that making these changes requires new lane markings, curb adjustments, ongoing maintenance like snow removal and additional signage. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. By preventing accidents and saving lives, these lanes can reduce the burden on emergency services and healthcare costs. Fewer accidents mean lower expenses related to road incidents, police investigations, insurance claims and legal fees.
Over time, these reductions in accidents will offset the short-term cost of installing and maintaining these lanes. Let the death of Barbara Friedes be a powerful reminder of how dangerous cycling can be in our city even if you do all the right things. Investing in protected bike lanes isn’t just about improving transportation – it’s about safeguarding human lives. Every life saved through safer cycling infrastructure makes the investment worthwhile.
To make these changes a reality, we need the community’s support. Supporting HB1283 means transforming our streets into safer, healthier spaces for everyone to enjoy. I encourage individuals to call members of the Senate and House leadership asking them to support HB 1283. You can also join local advocacy groups like the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, which is actively pushing for safer policies in the city.
Here’s a script for when you call:
https://bicyclecoalition.org/urgent-action-parking-protected-bike-lanes
You can reach out to:
Sen. Kim Ward – 717-787-6063
Sen. Joe Pittman – 717-787-8724
Rep. Joanna McClinton – 717-772-9850
Rep. Matt Bradford- 717-772-2572
You can also send letters or emails through this link: https://bicyclecoalition.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/component/sbxactions/111
Let’s work together to ensure that no more lives are lost on the streets of South Philadelphia. We owe it to every cyclist who rides and all those who have lost their lives on these streets to act now. ••
