Occasionally as Ambassadors we get questions or concerns about sidewalk riding and what we are doing to stop it. Sidewalk riding is illegal in Philadelphia, but the issue is not just about the law. Riding on the sidewalk doubles your chances of getting into a crash and presents a danger to pedestrians. Typically those who complain to us about sidewalk riding have been hit or know someone who has been hit by a bike.
If you want some more reasons to walk your bike on the sidewalk check here.
As Bicycle Ambassadors we educate people (drivers, cyclists and pedestrians) about the rules of the road and the sidewalk. In the past, we have held up signs informing people that sidewalk riding is illegal and unsafe. We also talk to sidewalk riders during our Walnut St. Bridge campaign, where narrow sidewalks are heavily used by pedestrians. Sometimes we work with the University City Police to educate sidewalk riders.
What we are not:
The Police -- we don't ticket sidewalk riders
The Streets Department -- We don't put up municipal signs about sidewalk riding
The Sidewalk Hit Squad -- we don't assault sidewalk riders
We hope this clears up any questions.
Sincerely,
The Bicycle Ambassadors
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City needs more signs, and education.
ReplyDeleteGreat job also!
ReplyDeleteThis is not a simple issue. Yes, people who ride on the sidewalks when there are lot's of peds are a danger.
ReplyDeleteBut certain places I take my chances on the sidewalk to avoid being killed. One place in point: Green and Broad st. In order to continue on Green you have to make a quick right and left on Broad St. It's much safer for me to go through the intersection onto the wide sidewalk, where there's almost no one walking and then continue onto to Green than take a right onto Broad and then wait in the middle of Broad St. in the early morning rush hour traffic. I'm sorry. But I'm taking my chances on the sidewalk in this case.
If you make signs again, I would like to recommend using other reasons than it being "illegal", i.e. "Biking on the sidewalk is dangerous" or "biking on the sidewalk can get you killed".
ReplyDeleteIt has been my experience that people respond better to the reason of "keeping your life" than to the threat of government punishment.
Point taken. Our current signs emphasize how it is unsafe.
ReplyDeleteFor Todd: If it's unsafe enough that you want to ride on the sidewalk, then it's unsafe enough to demand walking your bike on the sidewalk.
ReplyDelete