This is the legacy blog of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. It is an archive of posts from 2003 to 2014. Making your ride better since 1972. https://www.bicyclecoalition.org
Monday, February 23, 2004
Sunday, February 22, 2004
Details of Montgomery County's 4 Year Trail Plan
The County plans to open 29.5 miles of trails by December 2007. County will chip in $11 million of the $16 million needed. Audobon Loop, Chester Valley Trail (County Portion only), Lower Cross County Trail, Green Ribbon Trail, Schuylkill River Trail extensions, Perkiomen Trail improvements and extension.
Schedule of Trail Openings
Spring 2004 - Chester County Trail Bill Smith Drive to Warner Road
Spring 2004 - Schuylkill River Trail - Pottstown Borough to the Berks County Line
Summer 2004 - Schuylkill River Trail Connector to Norristown Farm Park
Fall 2004 - Perkiomen Trail extension to Green Lane (Phase 1)
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Summer 2005 - Perkiomen Trail Loop between Valley Forge, Mill Grove National Historic Site and Lower Perkiomen Park
Fall 2005 - Green Ribbon Trail (Hike Only)
_____________________________________________
Summer 2006 - Lower Cross County Trail from the Schuylkill River Trail to existing Plymouth Trail that runs from Ikea to Chemical Road
Fall 2006 - Schuylkill River Trail Extension from the Perkiomen Trail to Mont Clare
Fall 2006 - Perkiomen Trail extension to Green Lane (Phase 2) and rehabilitation of the Stone Arch Bridge in Perkiomenville.
______________________________________________
Fall 2007 Cross County Trail to Chemical Road to Fort Washington,
Fall 2007 Cross County Connector Trail to Forbidden Drive (Multi Use trail parallel to Stenton Ave),
Fall 2007 Chester Valley Trail - Bill Smith Drive to the Schuylkill River Trail
The County plans to open 29.5 miles of trails by December 2007. County will chip in $11 million of the $16 million needed. Audobon Loop, Chester Valley Trail (County Portion only), Lower Cross County Trail, Green Ribbon Trail, Schuylkill River Trail extensions, Perkiomen Trail improvements and extension.
Schedule of Trail Openings
Spring 2004 - Chester County Trail Bill Smith Drive to Warner Road
Spring 2004 - Schuylkill River Trail - Pottstown Borough to the Berks County Line
Summer 2004 - Schuylkill River Trail Connector to Norristown Farm Park
Fall 2004 - Perkiomen Trail extension to Green Lane (Phase 1)
____________________________________________
Summer 2005 - Perkiomen Trail Loop between Valley Forge, Mill Grove National Historic Site and Lower Perkiomen Park
Fall 2005 - Green Ribbon Trail (Hike Only)
_____________________________________________
Summer 2006 - Lower Cross County Trail from the Schuylkill River Trail to existing Plymouth Trail that runs from Ikea to Chemical Road
Fall 2006 - Schuylkill River Trail Extension from the Perkiomen Trail to Mont Clare
Fall 2006 - Perkiomen Trail extension to Green Lane (Phase 2) and rehabilitation of the Stone Arch Bridge in Perkiomenville.
______________________________________________
Fall 2007 Cross County Trail to Chemical Road to Fort Washington,
Fall 2007 Cross County Connector Trail to Forbidden Drive (Multi Use trail parallel to Stenton Ave),
Fall 2007 Chester Valley Trail - Bill Smith Drive to the Schuylkill River Trail
Support Camden Greenways
Camden Greenways, Inc.'s mission is to implement the comprehensive Greenways Plan that details an extensive linear park system along the Delaware River, Cooper River, and Newton Creek in Camden, New Jersey.
Camden Greenways also shares the vision of the region one of the goals of this effort is to establish a bicycle friendly route connecting the Ben Franklin Bridge to the Waterfront, Cooper River Park and Haddon Avenue.
On June 5th they will be hosting the first Camden Greenway Bicycle and Hiking Tour. The event will include 3 bike tours of different lengths and a hike. All activities will begin at the Pub Restaurant at the Airport Circle in Pennsauken.
Camden Greenways, Inc.'s mission is to implement the comprehensive Greenways Plan that details an extensive linear park system along the Delaware River, Cooper River, and Newton Creek in Camden, New Jersey.
Camden Greenways also shares the vision of the region one of the goals of this effort is to establish a bicycle friendly route connecting the Ben Franklin Bridge to the Waterfront, Cooper River Park and Haddon Avenue.
On June 5th they will be hosting the first Camden Greenway Bicycle and Hiking Tour. The event will include 3 bike tours of different lengths and a hike. All activities will begin at the Pub Restaurant at the Airport Circle in Pennsauken.
Saturday, February 21, 2004
Annual Meeting Tonight
Saturday, February 21st, 2004
6:00 to 9:00 PM
International House at 3701 Chestnut Street
Valet Bike Parking and Buffet Dinner provided
The Bicycle Coalition will be honoring our Cyclist of the Year, John Wood, Montgomery County Chief of Open Space Planning, project manager for the Perkiomen Trail and a designer of the Montgomery County trail network. John will also be part of a panel with Dave Bachman, Pennsylvania Bicycle Coordinator, and Andy Clarke, the NEW Executive Director of League of American Bicyclists.
Saturday, February 21st, 2004
6:00 to 9:00 PM
International House at 3701 Chestnut Street
Valet Bike Parking and Buffet Dinner provided
The Bicycle Coalition will be honoring our Cyclist of the Year, John Wood, Montgomery County Chief of Open Space Planning, project manager for the Perkiomen Trail and a designer of the Montgomery County trail network. John will also be part of a panel with Dave Bachman, Pennsylvania Bicycle Coordinator, and Andy Clarke, the NEW Executive Director of League of American Bicyclists.
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Showdown at Aldan Elementary
A turbulant and emotional public hearing on Bicyclists Baltimore Pike was held tonight at Aldan Borough. The meeting was arranged by State Rep. Micozzie. All the politicians present were against the project. One of them suggested that "PENNDOT take an eraser to the project and start over" and if they are not willing to do this then there is no discussion.
Arguments brought forward included a lack of participation in the process, DVRPC project manager Jacob Mallikal and Bicycle Coordinator John Madera held up well to a sometimes hostile audience, noting that changes requested by local communities were incorporated into the design. Many of those who opposed to the project often cited things like children's safety and traffic congestion.
Bicyclists, including 4 Aldan Residents spoke eloquently in favor of the projects, it was clear that some residents in this community do not accept change easily, there were times when people were literally shouting across the room at each other. One Aldan Borough resident stated that she felt misled by the meeting announcement .That the public meeting was really a forum to push their opposition to the project, and that some of the politicians were being obnoxious while DVRPC tried to respond to all of their concerns politely.
BCGP secretary Parker Snowe tried to heal the wounds and summed it up, "I believe that no one in this room is opposed to safer roads for all users." Snowe mentioned that there is more that can be done to improve safety such as creating safe routes to school.
Unfortunately due to opposition to the project it is possible that PENNDOT will put this project on hold, perhaps indefinitely. Delaware County bicyclists should be proud of themselves for standing up at this meeting and will continue working to educate local officials on the benefits of accommodating bicycle travel.
A turbulant and emotional public hearing on Bicyclists Baltimore Pike was held tonight at Aldan Borough. The meeting was arranged by State Rep. Micozzie. All the politicians present were against the project. One of them suggested that "PENNDOT take an eraser to the project and start over" and if they are not willing to do this then there is no discussion.
Arguments brought forward included a lack of participation in the process, DVRPC project manager Jacob Mallikal and Bicycle Coordinator John Madera held up well to a sometimes hostile audience, noting that changes requested by local communities were incorporated into the design. Many of those who opposed to the project often cited things like children's safety and traffic congestion.
Bicyclists, including 4 Aldan Residents spoke eloquently in favor of the projects, it was clear that some residents in this community do not accept change easily, there were times when people were literally shouting across the room at each other. One Aldan Borough resident stated that she felt misled by the meeting announcement .That the public meeting was really a forum to push their opposition to the project, and that some of the politicians were being obnoxious while DVRPC tried to respond to all of their concerns politely.
BCGP secretary Parker Snowe tried to heal the wounds and summed it up, "I believe that no one in this room is opposed to safer roads for all users." Snowe mentioned that there is more that can be done to improve safety such as creating safe routes to school.
Unfortunately due to opposition to the project it is possible that PENNDOT will put this project on hold, perhaps indefinitely. Delaware County bicyclists should be proud of themselves for standing up at this meeting and will continue working to educate local officials on the benefits of accommodating bicycle travel.
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
More Bikes on Transit News
NJ TRANSIT has launched a new website for the River Line www.riverline.com.
The official bike policy is posted on the website:
Bicycles are permitted onboard the River Line at all times. Customers must secure bicycles on racks located in light rail cars. Cyclists must allow other passengers to exit and enter the rail car before boarding with a bicycle. (Maximum of 6 bikes per car.)
NJ TRANSIT has launched a new website for the River Line www.riverline.com.
The official bike policy is posted on the website:
Bicycles are permitted onboard the River Line at all times. Customers must secure bicycles on racks located in light rail cars. Cyclists must allow other passengers to exit and enter the rail car before boarding with a bicycle. (Maximum of 6 bikes per car.)
New SEPTA bike accessible routes
Effective February 23 2004
Route 1 - 54th and City to Northeast Philadelphia, this route serves the Wissahickon Transfer Center (Schuylkill River Trail and the Wissahickon Bikeway) and the Pennypack Park Bikeway (Roosevelt Blvd and Woodward Ave).
Route 71 - New Route, shuttle from the Broad St Subway to the Naval Business Center.
These two bus routes bring the total up to 17 bike accessible routes
(although some bus substitutions occaisionally belie that designation)
Effective February 23 2004
Route 1 - 54th and City to Northeast Philadelphia, this route serves the Wissahickon Transfer Center (Schuylkill River Trail and the Wissahickon Bikeway) and the Pennypack Park Bikeway (Roosevelt Blvd and Woodward Ave).
Route 71 - New Route, shuttle from the Broad St Subway to the Naval Business Center.
These two bus routes bring the total up to 17 bike accessible routes
(although some bus substitutions occaisionally belie that designation)
SEPTA purchases 640 bus bike racks
BCGP Acting President Dennis Winters announced that SEPTA has approved the purchase of 640 bike racks from UPC, SEPTA received a prototype which they found to be acceptable. The timetable for the delivery and installation of the bike racks is not known.
However Sportworks will be evaluating the rack for patent infringement. Several components of the Sportworks bike bus rack, in particular the retracting support arm are patent protected. There are other issues which may arise such as ease of use and if the rack damages the bus wash. We can only hope that SEPTA is making use of the prototype to perform some of this testing. (Note to SEPTA - We are here to help).
SEPTA watchdog Creighton Rabs reports in his Frankford Terminal Blog that the next 100 buses are moving along based on a press release Digital Recorders the manufacturer of those bright yellow LED destination signs. It notes that sign delivery is expected to be complete by April 2004. Since all new Low Floor buses come with bike racks this means that 100 more buses with bike racks should be on the road by late spring.
SEPTA has also purchased so called cutaway buses (small van like buses) for lightly used routes, these 28 buses will be delivered in late winter and early spring and will be equipped with bike racks.
Frankford Transportation now has about 20 bike racks, a contractor is in the process of installing racks at a number of regional rail stations with high bike usage including Thorndale, Warminster, Langhorne,
Bristol, Swarthmore, Media, Ridley Park, 69th Street Terminal, Conshohocken, Lansdale, and Willow Grove.
Newark DE has a new paved path that parallels the Amtrak tracks called the James F. Hall Trail. this path connects several Newark neighborhoods with the SEPTA R2 station. DART First State plans to build a new Newark Station east of the current station in the future which will allow for more frequent service on the line.
BCGP Acting President Dennis Winters announced that SEPTA has approved the purchase of 640 bike racks from UPC, SEPTA received a prototype which they found to be acceptable. The timetable for the delivery and installation of the bike racks is not known.
However Sportworks will be evaluating the rack for patent infringement. Several components of the Sportworks bike bus rack, in particular the retracting support arm are patent protected. There are other issues which may arise such as ease of use and if the rack damages the bus wash. We can only hope that SEPTA is making use of the prototype to perform some of this testing. (Note to SEPTA - We are here to help).
SEPTA watchdog Creighton Rabs reports in his Frankford Terminal Blog that the next 100 buses are moving along based on a press release Digital Recorders the manufacturer of those bright yellow LED destination signs. It notes that sign delivery is expected to be complete by April 2004. Since all new Low Floor buses come with bike racks this means that 100 more buses with bike racks should be on the road by late spring.
SEPTA has also purchased so called cutaway buses (small van like buses) for lightly used routes, these 28 buses will be delivered in late winter and early spring and will be equipped with bike racks.
Frankford Transportation now has about 20 bike racks, a contractor is in the process of installing racks at a number of regional rail stations with high bike usage including Thorndale, Warminster, Langhorne,
Bristol, Swarthmore, Media, Ridley Park, 69th Street Terminal, Conshohocken, Lansdale, and Willow Grove.
Newark DE has a new paved path that parallels the Amtrak tracks called the James F. Hall Trail. this path connects several Newark neighborhoods with the SEPTA R2 station. DART First State plans to build a new Newark Station east of the current station in the future which will allow for more frequent service on the line.
Monday, February 16, 2004
Federal Transportation Bill Clears First Hurdle
Senate Bill 1072 has passed with most bicycle friendly funding sources intact including a new Safe Routes to School Program. In early March the House takes up there bill for reconciliation with the Senate.
This is perfect timing for the National Bike Summit, if you can get down
to Washington on March 4 for Lobby Day please send an email to Alex at the Bicycle Coalition.
Senate Bill 1072 has passed with most bicycle friendly funding sources intact including a new Safe Routes to School Program. In early March the House takes up there bill for reconciliation with the Senate.
This is perfect timing for the National Bike Summit, if you can get down
to Washington on March 4 for Lobby Day please send an email to Alex at the Bicycle Coalition.
Friday, February 13, 2004
Proposed - East Coast Greenway Walk
The routes starts at Penn Treaty Park or Festival Pier (Spring Garden and Columbus) wraps around the Penns Landing Waterfront from there you continue south along the promenade to a signalized crossing at Christian St. After passing the Old Swedes Church a landscaped underpass crosses under 95. You then turn left on Front St in South Philadelphia where a wide, clean and somewhat landscaped walkway continues on front st adjacent to I-95 down to at least Snyder Ave (I only went as far as Washington St).
Another point to ponder is that this pedestrian route is parallel to the on-road bicycle route (Bicycle PA route E). It is on Delaware/Columbus along the east side of 95.
My opinion is that there is a lot here but no one has connected the dots between Columbus Blvd and South Philadelphia, which has a lot to offer the tourist. New development between Festival Pier and Penn Treaty park should close the blight gap along the sidewalk there. Its unfortunate however that the city has not required the new developers to install a waterfront path. Maybe an East Coast Greenway route designation with wayfinding signs could provide some incentive to do so in the future.
The routes starts at Penn Treaty Park or Festival Pier (Spring Garden and Columbus) wraps around the Penns Landing Waterfront from there you continue south along the promenade to a signalized crossing at Christian St. After passing the Old Swedes Church a landscaped underpass crosses under 95. You then turn left on Front St in South Philadelphia where a wide, clean and somewhat landscaped walkway continues on front st adjacent to I-95 down to at least Snyder Ave (I only went as far as Washington St).
Another point to ponder is that this pedestrian route is parallel to the on-road bicycle route (Bicycle PA route E). It is on Delaware/Columbus along the east side of 95.
My opinion is that there is a lot here but no one has connected the dots between Columbus Blvd and South Philadelphia, which has a lot to offer the tourist. New development between Festival Pier and Penn Treaty park should close the blight gap along the sidewalk there. Its unfortunate however that the city has not required the new developers to install a waterfront path. Maybe an East Coast Greenway route designation with wayfinding signs could provide some incentive to do so in the future.
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Write to the Governor to Free the Schuylkill River Park
Free the River Park Rally Monday February 16th 12-1pm. At the
Locust St. access point to Schuylkill River Park.
In less than 3 days, more than 150 residents have written to Governor Rendell urging him to personally intervene in getting CSX to drop their opposition to safe grade crossings at Race & Locust St. We haven't yet heard directly from the Governor but we know our messages are getting through.
Free the River Park Rally Monday February 16th 12-1pm. At the
Locust St. access point to Schuylkill River Park.
In less than 3 days, more than 150 residents have written to Governor Rendell urging him to personally intervene in getting CSX to drop their opposition to safe grade crossings at Race & Locust St. We haven't yet heard directly from the Governor but we know our messages are getting through.
Blazing New Trails
The State Board of Education has a grant program called Blazing New Trails which is a statewide cooperative program between the various Alternative Education programs and the "Rails to Trails" program within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This program was so successful in 2003 that it is being continued in 2004.
It is a supplemental enhancement program for students who are suspended or expelled and required to perform community service hours. The Commonwealth is in the process of converting old railroad lines to recreational walking and biking trails. While the “Rails to Trails” project is well underway, there are many opportunities available to make these areas safe, educational and aesthetically pleasing. Individual school projects may vary according to local community needs, but all must be related to the “Rails to Trails” program. The intent of the "Blazing New Trails" program is to develop creative solutions to the needs of the local “Rails to Trails” initiatives.
http://www.blazingnewtrails.org
The State Board of Education has a grant program called Blazing New Trails which is a statewide cooperative program between the various Alternative Education programs and the "Rails to Trails" program within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This program was so successful in 2003 that it is being continued in 2004.
It is a supplemental enhancement program for students who are suspended or expelled and required to perform community service hours. The Commonwealth is in the process of converting old railroad lines to recreational walking and biking trails. While the “Rails to Trails” project is well underway, there are many opportunities available to make these areas safe, educational and aesthetically pleasing. Individual school projects may vary according to local community needs, but all must be related to the “Rails to Trails” program. The intent of the "Blazing New Trails" program is to develop creative solutions to the needs of the local “Rails to Trails” initiatives.
http://www.blazingnewtrails.org
Thursday, February 05, 2004
The Daily News probes dangers of walking to school in Philadelphia
Some disturbing articles in the recent daily news about the dangers of walking to school, no mention of BEEP or any organized safe routes to schools program anywhere in the article. The police seem baffled by the statistics and the Streets Department often resist easy fixes.
Crossing Guards in Crisis
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/7861053.htm
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/7861056.htm
Dangerous Drivers put students at risk
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/7853826.htm
"School district boss Paul Vallas called the injury statistics "unacceptable." He outlined a list of new initiatives aimed at improving safety for children outside schools, including identification of safe routes for walking students, better education about traffic safety for students and establishment of parent patrols."
The Safety Fight at 3 Schools
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/7869572.htm
Some disturbing articles in the recent daily news about the dangers of walking to school, no mention of BEEP or any organized safe routes to schools program anywhere in the article. The police seem baffled by the statistics and the Streets Department often resist easy fixes.
Crossing Guards in Crisis
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/7861053.htm
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/7861056.htm
Dangerous Drivers put students at risk
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/7853826.htm
"School district boss Paul Vallas called the injury statistics "unacceptable." He outlined a list of new initiatives aimed at improving safety for children outside schools, including identification of safe routes for walking students, better education about traffic safety for students and establishment of parent patrols."
The Safety Fight at 3 Schools
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/7869572.htm
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