Over the years the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
has evolved and changed. Gone are the days when it was once an organization
that boldly advocated bicycling and the rights for cyclists to ride on the
streets of Philadelphia. Once they took on city government and local media, now
they surrender giving away more than the end result is worth. What was once an
organization that prided itself on building a community within Philadelphia is
now more concerned about placating its wealthy suburban and urban donor base.
The early signs of decay occurred when Philadelphia Inquirer
opinion writer and professional grumpy old man Stu Bykofsky started writing
columns in 2009 about how bike lanes and bikes caused congestion, all cyclists
broke the law by either riding on the sidewalk or running red lights. The BCGP
attempted to educate Mr. Bykofsky, which he turned into more material for his
columns. The slightest hesitation or misstatement was a sign that the BCGP was lying.
At the same time a various members of the Philadelphia City
Council attempted to pass bills that were intended to take punitive action
against cyclists. Attempts included banning fixed gear bikes, levy $1000.00
fines against the owners, and register bicycles like cars complete with license
plates. When all of these failed, the city council upped the ante by creating a
bill in 2011 that would allow Philadelphia City Council to make the final
decision regarding the installation of any bicycle lane that would remove
parking or a lane of travel for cars.
In an effort to hide what the city council was attempting
the bill was announced the just before the 2011 Memorial Day weekend and held
the vote a few days after the weekend had passed. The BCGP marshaled its
resources and prevented this bill from passing. In 2012 the Philadelphia City
Council introduced the same bill using the same tactics, this time the bill
passed with the blessing of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. In
return the BCGP got some inclusion of pedestrians and cyclists on to the
Philadelphia Complete Streets bill and that cars parked in bicycle lanes would
be ticketed.
By giving the Philadelphia City Council complete control
over the installation of future bicycle lanes they could easily turn
Philadelphia into patchwork system of partial bicycle lanes that connect to nowhere.
Whether the Philadelphia Police Department and Parking Authority will ticket
cars parked in bicycle lanes remains questionable at best.
The BCGP is starting to lose its credibility to speak and
act on behalf on the cyclists who live and work within Philadelphia.
