DRIVERS risk a $125 fine as parking spots on the side of a road in a major city have been axed – with new signs already going up.
The change has come thanks to a bike lane safety project aimed at improving cyclist protection – including new “Loading Zone” and “No Stopping Anytime” warnings.
New signs have gone up in a major city with parking spots on the side of a road being axed[/caption]
The change has come thanks to a bike lane safety project aimed at improving cyclist protection[/caption]
On one street, it seems the ultimate goal is to replace flexible delineators – which are currently separating bike lanes from cars – with vertical concrete barriers to improve safety.
According to 6ABC, this follows a tragic incident last summer, when a resident, Dr. Barbara Friedes, a CHOP doctor, was killed by a drunk driver while cycling in the bike lane.
Cyclists and residents have since begun advocating for stronger measures to protect cyclists and pedestrians.
One local, Ethan Wollman, told reporters: “It is nice to occasionally be able to pull into the lane, but at the same time, I think the lives of the bikers, protecting them, is more important.”
And another, David Grillo, was in agreement, adding: “The city needs to protect bikers and pedestrians. We do a pretty bad job of it right now.”
But not everyone in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the changes are happening, are happy about them.
Along the street of Spruce and Pine in the city’s 1st and 2nd districts, a neighborhood group called “Friends of Pine and Spruce” is suing the city to halt the installation of concrete barriers.
They argue the project will reduce parking, cause congestion, block driveways and impact first responders.
“It’s inconvenient, I guess, but we’re talking about people’s safety.
“Bikers have a right to be able to legally follow the law and ride around safely,” said Kimberly Rotter of Center City.
The upgrades are partly driven by legislation from City Council President Kenyatta Johnson.
It means increased penalties for parking or stopping in bike lanes, which Johnson emphasizes is about public safety.
Specifically, the ordinance penalizes stopping, standing or parking in bike lanes with fines of $125 in Center City and University City and $75 elsewhere.
Despite the lawsuit, phase 1 of the project is moving forward, with work scheduled to begin this week.
This comes as drivers who skip street parking rules could soon be hit with automatic tickets under a new crackdown plan.
A proposed law aims to use cameras mounted on cleaning trucks to flag violators who don’t move their vehicles for scheduled sweepings.
The pilot program would launch in New York City.
Lawmakers in the state Senate and Assembly introduced two bills in January 2025 pushing for tech-based enforcement.
On May 28, the City Council voted to support the bills through a home rule resolution, a formal request for state approval.
If passed, the program would put cameras on street sweepers in select neighborhoods.
