No-Stopping in Bike Lanes bill signed
Mayor Cherelle Parker signed the No-Stopping in Bike Lanes bill, which will reclassify over 35 miles of curbside lanes and all bike lanes to “No Stopping Anytime,” prohibiting stopping, standing or parking in bicycle lanes while increasing the monetary penalties for these violations. The replacement of signage for Spruce and Pine streets will start in spring 2025 in conjunction with loading zone signage. Other signage replacement will continue through 2025 for all other corridors affected by the renaming.
“It is our responsibility to raise awareness about the dangers of vehicles obstructing bike lanes, creating dangerous conflicts forcing cyclists into vehicle lanes, increasing the risk of crashes, and compromising safety for all road users,” said Parker. “City Council and I hope and believe the No-Stopping in Bike Lanes legislation will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists as Philadelphia’s diverse transportation system requires safer streets for all users. I want to commend Council President Johnson for his leadership on this important issue.”
The bill was co-sponsored by City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, a South Philly native.
“I want to thank Mayor Parker for signing the ‘Get Out The Bike Line’ bill into law,” said Johnson. “I co-sponsored this legislation with Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (Third District) and it was overwhelmingly approved by councilmembers. Traffic deaths have, sadly, been going up in Philadelphia so I believe this law will make the streets safer for everyone, including our elderly, school kids and all those who are walking or biking in the streets.”
Taney Street renamed
The Taney Street Renaming Bill was signed into law and will replace the name of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, who authored the 1857 Dred Scott decision that denied citizenship to African Americans, with Caroline LeCount, a Philadelphia civil rights pioneer and educator. The renaming will change the name of Taney Street to LeCount Street across several city sections. There are about 600 addresses that would be affected by this street renaming. With the bills signing the streets department will notify the US Postmaster and any mapping services that use street names.
“Thank you to fellow City Councilmembers Curtis Jones (Fourth District) and Jeffery Young (Fifth District) for joining me in co-sponsoring this legislation,” City Council President Kenyatta Johnson said. “The renaming to LeCount Street is long overdue. Ms. LeCount was the first black woman to pass Philadelphia’s teaching exam and a trailblazing principal in the late 19th century. She was a champion of civil rights and she and her fiancée, Octavius Catto, successfully integrated the city’s streetcars back in the late 1860s, 90 years before Rosa Parks sat down on the bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her legacy will forever be honored through these efforts.”
New military license plates to honor PA veterans
The Shapiro administration announced a new selection of military-themed license plates are available. Recently passed legislation allows the state Department of Transportation to offer Pennsylvanians six new license plates honoring military veterans.
“These plates are yet another opportunity to show our appreciation for the sacrifices of our military members and their families,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton. “As always, we are proud to recognize our military community and their accomplishments.”
Three of the new plates recognize service members who received medals or honors for individual achievements or deployments. The plates are the standard license plate colors of white, blue and gold and bear a graphic of the medal awarded. For a fee of $26, the plates are available for use on passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds.
These plates include Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Registration Plate, Operation Inherent Resolve Veterans Plate and the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Registration Plate.
The other three new plate designs recognize women veterans. Two are available for motorcycles and the third is for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds They are the Honoring Our Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate, Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate and the Women Veteran Registration Plate.
“We are grateful to the Shapiro administration for recognizing the importance of honoring veterans for their service and accomplishments by making these license plates available to the public,” said Brig. Gen. John Pippy, Acting Adjutant General and head of the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “In particular, to include three plates that recognize women for their impactful contributions to the defense of our nation.”
More information, including eligibility requirements and images of license plates, is available on the license plates page on PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.
A retreat for moms
Mother Boniface Spirituality Center (3501 Solly Ave.) will present Renew and Breathe: Part 1- A Mother’s Yes with Grace and Hope on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The speaker will be Stephanie McCarthy, a Catholic wife, mother and spiritual director. The retreat is open to mothers of all ages for faith sharing and reflection with other mothers. Part 2 will be on Jan. 11. Part 3 will be on March 1. Each retreat costs $55, or $150 for all three if registered by Dec. 6. Each retreat day includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register or for more information, call 267-350-1830 or visit msbt.org. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
