COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT PROHIBITS VEHICLES FROM STOPPING OR STANDING IN ANY BIKE LANE THROUGHOUT PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (Second District) today introduced proposed legislation at the first fall 2024 session of Philadelphia City Council that would prohibit vehicles from stopping or standing in any bike lane in Philadelphia.

The current law, which went into effect in January 2013, prohibits parking in a bike lane and penalizes parking in a bike line with a fine of $75 in Center City and University City and $50 in other parts of the city.

The Council President’s bill, known as the “Get Out The Bike Lane” legislation, would penalize stopping, standing, or parking in a bike lane with a fine of $125 in Center City and University City, and $75 in other parts of the city.  The proposed legislation is Bill # 240657.

“When we keep vehicles and people from blocking bike lanes city wide, we can make streets safer for everyone,” Johnson said. “I will continue to work with the Philadelphia Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) and Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration to explore what additional safety measures can be installed for cyclists throughout the Second Council District and citywide.”

Johnson’s legislation is being introduced two months after the death of 30-year-old Dr. Barbara Ann Friedes, a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who was killed in a multi-vehicle crash while legally riding in a bike lane bear 18th and Spruce Streets on July 17. Michael Vahey has been charged with several crimes in Dr. Friedes’ death, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.

In mid-August, a petition led by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia in partnership with 5th Square, Philly Bike Action and Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia was given to Parker, Johnson, and other members of Council in support of fully protecting Philadelphia’s protected bike lanes with permanent concrete barriers.

The Coalition also urged for the legislation being introduced by Council President Johnson today, replacing all of the “No Parking” signage with “No Stopping” signage along protected bike lanes and fully funding Vision Zero Philadelphia, an effort led by the City of Philadelphia to improve traffic safety on city streets.

During a meeting with bicycle advocates and their families earlier this week, Johnson continued to support additional funding for VisionZero Philadelphia.

Council President Johnson’s legislation will now be assigned to a Council Committee for a public hearing. If the bill is voted out of Committee, the legislation will come up for a full vote in Council as soon as possible. If the bill is approved by the full Council and signed into law by Mayor Cherelle Parker, it would go into effect immediately upon her signature.