Philly bicyclists double other cities

Center City and South Philadelphia rank among the top 25-most bicycled areas in the country, according to a report released yesterday from the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

Of 2,100 census population centers, Center City and South Philadelphia both exceed 5 percent in bicycle commuting, similar to Santa Barbara, Calif. The report confirms that Philadelphia has twice as many bicycle commuters as any other big city in the U.S.

Additionally, the report indicates that dedicated bike lanes reduce the amount of sidewalk riding by cyclists. The city will pilot north-south bicycle lanes on 10th and 13th streets starting next month.

“I think it will likely attract more bicyclists who are either going up and down other north-south streets…and it may attract some cyclists who are not cycling right now,” said Sarah Stuart, the coalition’s campaign director.