Philadelphia Advocates Sue for Protected Bike Lane

As the city continues to make little progress on planned bike lanes, cyclists are turning to the courts for relief.

1 minute read

August 22, 2018, 2:00 PM PDT

By Elana Eden


Neglected Bike Lanes

Another kind of neglect for Philadelphia's bike infrastructure is visible in this image from March 2018. | Phila. Bikes / Flickr

Bike advocates in Philadelphia hope that a private lawsuit could pressure the city to improve bike infrastructureJim Saksa reports for PlanPhilly.

Supported by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the suit accuses a hotel contractor of operating a valet service in a bike lane. In hopes of reaching a settlement, the company has agreed to protect the bike lane with plastic posts to prevent further violations—provided they can get a permit from the city.

Before taking office in 2015, Mayor Jim Kenney promised to build 30 miles of protected bike lanes; so far, the city has achieved 3.5. "If this works, cycling advocates may have discovered a way around their long-blocked efforts to improve Philly’s bike infrastructure: litigation," Saksa writes.

Friday, August 17, 2018 in PlanPhilly

Aeriel view of white sheep grazing on green grass between rows of solar panels.

Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US

The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.

April 24, 2024 - Columbus Dispatch

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Workers putting down asphalt on road.

U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause

A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.

April 18, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Texas

Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs

Plano’s city council banned all new permits for short-term rentals as concerns about their impacts on housing costs grow.

1 hour ago - FOX 4 News

Divvy Chicago

Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks

New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog Chicago

Freeway sign with "severe weather - use caution" over multilane freeway in rainy weather.

How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience

In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.

3 hours ago - Transportation for America

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.