PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A neighborhood group is suing the City of Philadelphia in an effort to stop the installation of solid barriers designed to protect bike lanes on Spruce and Pine streets.
The city’s plan is largely a response to the death of Dr. Barbara Friedes, a Children’s Hospital physician who was killed when a driver veered through flexible posts into the bike lane where she was riding, striking her.
Members of the group, Friends of Pine and Spruce, are unhappy, citing concerns over the loss of residential parking options. The lawsuit, filed by their attorney George Bochetto, claims that the Parker administration doesn’t have the right to remove permitted parking that was granted by City Council.
“The only authority that has the right to change that arrangement is the same legislative body that created it,” said Bochettto.
“What happens when a home needs repairs. Where is the service vehicle going to go? What happens to disabled people? How are they going to be dropped off and picked up in the middle of the block?”
The city said it’s reviewing the lawsuit and had no immediate comment.