This is a moderately interesting discussion. As someone who does not own a car and rides a bike for transportation, here are my thoughts:
A. If Penn is threatening to break locks and confiscate bikes (i.e. steal them), this practice should be stopped. So long as bikes are not blocking sidewalks or meters, they should be encouraged to park and lock them at parking meters. Meters are secure and convenient. Allowing bikers to use them encourages biking, which is good for everyone. B. People should not ride bikes on the sidewalks. Penn should be applauded for enforcing the laws in that area. Bikes on the sidewalk are a major hazard to pedestrians and are less safe for the bikers themselves in that they increase their chances of an accident verses traveling in the street. C. Bike lanes should be kept clear from cars. It is dangerous to have to swerve into the travel lanes, particularly when the lanes are narrowed by the idiot who is parked blocking the bike lane in the first place. As someone pointed out, this is an even bigger problem where there are trolley tracks. D. Someone suggested an eastbound bike lane on Walnut Street. I am sure they were being pro-biker in making that suggestion, but it is a bad one. Bikers need to restrict themselves to traveling on the right side of the lane moving in the direction of the traffic. It gives cars an opportunity to see you when they approach you. When you are coming heading into the traffic there is very little opportunity for a car to anticipate you and adjust. Pedestrians are also not looking in that direction when they cross the street. I find that as a biker that the most dangerous times I have had is when a biker who does not know the rules of the road comes barreling down on me driving on the wrong side of the street. These people are never wearing a helmet and seem surprised to see me. Thus far I have avoided them, but there have been more close calls than with these bikers than with ignorant automobile drivers. _________________________________ Support Sam Katz for Mayor J. Matthew Wolfe Law Office of Alice W. Ballard, P.C. 1700 Lewis Tower 225 South 15th Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 (215) 893-9990 Fax: (215) 893-9997 4256 Regent Square Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 387-7300 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Andrew Diller Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 9:50 AM To: R. Hotchkiss Cc: Jeff Abrahamson; University City List Subject: Re: [UC] [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Penn cracking down (illegally) on bikes!] Hassling? They were handing out citations (for $25 I think) if you were caught riding on the sidewalk. This is happening on the 36-37th block of walnut, by all the protected stores that Penn values so much. They need paths to go east on walnut for bikes. -andy diller On Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at 09:29 AM, R. Hotchkiss wrote: > I also noticed UPENN police hassling those who are riding on the > walkways. > What UPENN police should be doing is keeping the bike lanes clear on > Spruce > St. Including ticketing ambulances. The "improvements" that were made > to the > sidewalk and street design only work if nobody parks illegally > otherwise > it's a head-on accident or a squished biker waiting to happen. > ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
