[UC] Bicycle Coalition president's letter to Penn Police re bicycle confiscation

[Claudia Crane]

Given the lively discussion on this list re bikes/bike lanes/sidewalks etc. recently, I thought many of you would like to know about Parker Snowe’s letter yesterday (read below) to U. Penn Police Chiefs Fink and Rambo. Claudia Crane     -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Snowe, Parker Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 11:29 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: FW: Bicycles Being Confiscated Importance: High   Deputy Chief Fink - As Chief Rambo is out of the office until June 16, please note my message to him below.  This issue is of great concern to cyclists, given our interest in promoting cycling at Penn.    Parker Snowe Parker Snowe, President Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia 252 S. 11th Street, First Floor Philadelphia, PA  19107-6735 Tel: (610) 565-4542 (h) Tel: (215) 898-5012 (w) Fax: (215) 573-3783 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: Snowe, Parker Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 11:27 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; John Madera (E-mail); BCGP Board E-list Subject: Bicycles Being Confiscated Importance: High Chief Rambo - I was pleased to see the electronic sign in front of the Penn Bookstore reminding motorists to stay out of the bike lanes and encouraging them to share the road with bikes.  You can imagine my surprise when I pulled up to Huntsman Hall to discover notices posted on parking meters informing cyclists that their locks may be cut and bikes confiscated if they lock to a parking meter on public sidewalks.  After consulting with John Madera of DVRPC, it is clear that this is certainly not part of the Share-the-Road campaign.    In fact, according to Pennsylvania code, it is illegal:   Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Chapter 35 - SPECIAL VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS Subchapter A - Operation of Pedalcycles (Bicycles) Section 3509. Parking. (a) Sidewalks. (1) A person may park a pedalcycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic-control device. (IE Streets Dept or PennDOT depending on who maintains the street, not UPENN) (2) A pedalcycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.   Please provide an explanation for this action, which seems to contravene Penn's commitment to improve traffic conditions through encouragement of cycling.    Parker Snowe Parker Snowe, President Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia 252 S. 11th Street, First Floor Philadelphia, PA  19107-6735 Tel: (610) 565-4542 (h) Tel: (215) 898-5012 (w) Fax: (215) 573-3783 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]