Philadelphia Bike Advocates Push for Protected Lanes Amid Safety Concerns

Philadelphia’s Spruce and Pine streets have long been a key corridor for bike commuters, with more than 50,000 trips recorded in a single month. Other cities, the main cycling corridors might be protected with thick concrete curbs or at least bollards. Not here. In Philly, those 50,000 cyclists put their lives at risk on a daily basis riding in a bike lane without any protection at all. People are getting hurt. People are dying. Now, a growing coalition of bike advocates is demanding concrete barriers to prevent further loss of life.

A History of Danger

Originally redesigned in 2009 to accommodate a painted bike lane, the Spruce and Pine corridor has struggled with constant vehicle encroachment. Delivery drivers, ride share vehicles, and residents frequently use the lanes as makeshift parking spaces, creating hazardous conditions for cyclists. Anyone who has commuted in any city in North America knows the drill all too well.

The consequences have been deadly.

Duncan Adkins of Philly Bike Action told Momentum that two people have been killed using the bike lanes. In 2017, Emily Fredricks was killed by a turning driver who failed to see her in the bike lane. More recently, in 2023, Dr. Barbara Friedes lost her life when a driver, traveling at over 50 mph, used the bike lane to bypass traffic and struck her from behind.

“These deaths were preventable,” said Adkins. “The city has dragged its feet on providing real protection, and we are done waiting.”

Blocked bike lane in Philadelphia

Community Response and Opposition

In the wake of Dr. Friedes’ death, bike advocates ramped up pressure on city officials. A petition demanding concrete barriers garnered more than 6,000 signatures and was hand-delivered to the mayor’s office following a protest ride. While initial reactions from city officials were tepid, Mayor Cherelle Parker later joined advocates for a ride and verbally committed to improving bike safety.

The city has since passed a “No Stopping in the Bike Lane” bill, eliminating the previous 20-minute grace period that allowed vehicles to linger in bike lanes. Enforcement of this measure is expected to begin in the spring.

Not everyone supports these changes. An opposition group calling itself “Friends of Pine and Spruce” (FoPS) emerged in October, distributing flyers and voicing concerns at a community meeting hosted by the Office of Transportation & Infrastructure Systems (OTIS). Their objections range from fears of reduced parking availability to skepticism over the effectiveness of physical barriers.

Political Climate in Philadelphia and the Future of Cycling Infrastructure

Bike lane expansion in Philadelphia has been hampered by a 2012 law requiring City Council approval for new lanes. While this has slowed progress, it also means that existing lanes are less susceptible to sudden removal, as has been seen in cities like Toronto.

Recently, three new bike lanes have been proposed and are awaiting council approval. Philly Bike Action believes the city must move faster and is calling for $5 million to be allocated toward Vision Zero initiatives in the upcoming municipal budget.

“The city has made progress, but it’s not nearly enough,” Adkins said. “We need real investment in protected infrastructure to ensure that no more lives are lost on our streets.”

With city of Philadelphia officials now engaging with advocates and a working group established to oversee safety improvements, the fate of Spruce and Pine’s bike lanes—and Philadelphia’s broader commitment to cycling safety—remains at a critical juncture.