110833841
To the Editor:
I applaud the city’s efforts to redirect bicycles away from Broad Street to 13th and 15th streets (“Sharrow-ing the road,” July 24). There is considerably less traffic and therefore less potential for conflict on these convenient side streets as opposed to a significant north-south corridor like Broad Street. As Susan Dannenberg herself points out, an alternative just one block away is a very reasonable solution.
Of course even without the sharrows, cyclists are allowed the full use of any traffic lane. Sharrows merely serve as a reminder to motorists that cyclists are encouraged on a particular roadway.
This solution seems like it should be applied to another nearby project — Washington Avenue. Washington Avenue carries similar traffic to Broad Street and includes many trucks and SEPTA buses. Large vehicles such as these pose greater threats to cyclists. It escapes me why the city is advocating reducing two travel lanes along that roadway and at the same time encouraging more cyclists to use it when there are alternatives with significantly less traffic, lower speeds and fewer trucks/buses just a block or two away (Federal Street, Carpenter Street, et al). In fact, the Washington Avenue plan may result in some traffic diverting to the residential streets just mentioned, which could pose harm to those communities. Federal transportation guidelines also suggest diversions are possible (and should be avoided).
The city should consider installing sharrows on parallel side streets within one or two blocks of Washington Avenue in a fashion similar to what the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is advocating along the Broad Street bicycle corridor.
One final note — adult cyclist use of most sidewalks is legal throughout Pennsylvania. PA Vehicle Code, Title 75, Chapter 35, section 3508(a) and 3508(b) provide added clarification. I own both a car and a bicycle and use the latter often. I exercise common sense when I feel riding 10 to 15 mph on an empty sidewalk having clear lines of sight is a safer alternative than riding in a busy street. It’s often claimed that the city may have passed a law prohibiting all adult sidewalk use, but no police officer I have asked was aware of any law other than those just mentioned. Regardless, common sense should always apply in any situation — whether a motorist or a cyclist.
Frank Tavani
Queen Village Neighbors Association
Transportation Comittee Chairperson
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