PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia City Council committee advanced a bill on Monday that would restore loading zones to Spruce and Pine streets in an effort to make them safer for bicyclists.
Earlier this year, council made it illegal to stop in bike lanes because of the danger it presents when cyclists have to move into traffic to get around parked vehicles. To accommodate residents on Spruce and Pine streets who still wanted to drop off and unload near their homes, the Philadelphia Streets Department put in bike-safe loading zones on each block, but some residents still weren’t happy. They sued, and a judge ordered the loading zones removed, saying that council had to specifically approve new loading zones.
The residents who sued showed up at the hearing on the bill to oppose it. Nicole Galli said she didn’t think there was evidence that the loading zones made the streets safer.
“Streets and OTIS [Office of Transit and Infrastructure Systems] are acting on instinct and preference, not upon true, hard evidence,” Galli said.
Supporters of the loading zones far outnumbered opponents. Andrew Posmontier, a resident who didn’t sue, testified that the effect was adverse.
“All of the chaos that these opponents said would happen with these loading zones came back when the loading zones went away,” Posmontier said.
The residents who sued are still opposed, but Russell Richie, of Fifth Square, argued they’re in the minority.
“Results from hundreds of survey responses show overwhelming support for loading zones.”
A new bike lane on 47th Street also drew mixed testimony but also passed, as did a bill authorizing speed cameras on three more roads in the lower Northeast. The committee held a bill to put bike lanes around City Hall.