PHILADELPHIA. Almost three months into a bike lane pilot program, the Streets Department said Thursday that cycling during peak hours on Pine and Spruce streets are up more than 60 percent and recommended making the lanes permanent.
Mayor Michael Nutter unveiled the pilot program in September as part of the city’s comprehensive Greenworks program. Since then, cycling on the two streets is way up and car traffic at rush hour has declined by 11 percent, officials said.
“We’re really happy to see that the city has given the thumbs up to making the lanes a permanent entity,” said John Boyle, advocacy director for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. “We think there are other opportunities out there to connect the bike lane network and enhance the design for bike lanes.”
Both Pine and Spruce streets, between 22nd Street and Front street, will be repaved next year to include the bike lanes.
