I'm Tired

I’m tired. Tired of the state of cycling advocacy in Philadelphia.

I’m tired of individuals and advocacy groups trying to take credit for the work of 
others.

When individuals started holding memorial rides and placing ghost bikes 
for cyclists who have been killed while riding. Only to have the Bicycle 
Coalition of Greater Philadelphia ask them to step aside so they 
can do it. Or when the BCGP tried to claim it played some sort of crucial
role in the lawsuit against the Marriott and ParkingOps and its resolution.

I’m tired of the Bicycle Coalition wasting its time on the trolls and troglodytes that

infest the media and the internet. The BCGP have wasted far to much time on

Stu Bykofsky, making lopsided deals that only benefit Mr. Bykofsky. But the true

insult to the cycling community was when the BCGP devoted an entire podcast to

the Twitter troll @ZeroVisionPhila. Giving him the chance to voice his unfounded

theories.

There are many individuals in Philadelphia who are making positive change

when it comes to infrastructure. Instead of featuring people like that, the BCGP

chose to engage in sophomoric hijinks.

I am tired of people in the media and on social media who promulgate the concept of a war on cars. Especially when it come to Philadelphia’s

grumpy old man, Stu Bykofsky.

Who has spent close to ten years promoting the myth that bike lanes create traffic

and that all cyclists break the law by running red lights and stop signs. Some

claim that this is merely an act and Stu is a great guy. My response to this is,

Stu Bykofsky is anti-bike and a narcissist. Who engages in extreme statements

like calling cyclists “pedalphiles” in order to manipulate people into giving him 
what he does not deserve, credibility.

I’m tired of the groups who form on social media who want to play a role in cycling

advocacy. Yet stand by and do nothing more than talk, with very little action.

Some of the worst moments occur when they discuss if a public action should

be taken. If you have to ask the question, you already know the answer.

I’m tired of people who think that if we inform and educate the general public

they will somehow accept cyclists as legitimate street users. It’s time to stop

asking the public politely and time to take public action on regular and consistent basis.

I’m tired.

Cycling year in review - 2016

With 2016 over and one with its time to look back at some the happenings that occurred in the Philadelphia cycle scene.

Byko’s Safe Bike Ride  

It finally happened, after years of Stu Bykofsky yammering on about all cyclists breaking the law and how useless cycling was as a form of transportation. Stu went for a real bike ride, Byko’s Safe Bike Ride, a charity fundraiser where everyone would obey the traffic laws.

While this was not the ride to change Stu Bykofsky, it was very fun participating in the first and last time Stu will ever engage the public. My favorite moment was on April 8th, 2016 (https://www.facebook.com/events/1698123177126174) post on the ride's Facebook page. When Stu implied that because the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia did not have any data to support his claim that all cyclists run red lights and stop signs. That the BCGP was trying to hide something. When asked why he could not perform his own survey and post the results his response was a classic case of denial, no one would accept the results.

One bad thing did come out of this ride. The BCGP made a deal with Stu and as usual the BCGP is on the losing side of the bargain. He would stop using the phrase pedalphille and the BCGP would stop calling him anti-bike. While I never like his use of the word pedalphile, it did make him look like a petulant child. Stu still remains anti-bike, you name it he’s against it and it's only  matter of time before Stu comes with new word to insult cyclists with.

After the ride was over and the weeks became months something changed about Stu Bykofsky wrote about. Normal Stu has has several got to subjects which you can expect multiple columns on, to the point of ad nauseum. Bicycles, sidewalk cafe seating, and the Mummers. Much to my surprise he has avoided writing any columns on these subjects, especially during the SEPTA strike. When I expected a rant to end all rants about cyclists. Instead nothing, not a murmur, a whisper, or a lie on Stu’s part.

I don’t know what 2017 will bring with Stu Bykofsky and columns. I remain skeptical that he can stay clear of his go to columns about bicycles, sidewalk cafe seating, and the Mummers for very long.

Ride of Silence

I have avoided the annual Ride of Silence in Philadelphia for years. It always looks like a bunch of MAMIL’s are out for a training ride. Rather than a low pace ride to draw attention to cyclists who have been hit and killed by people driving cars. The pace of the ride excludes slower riders and families with children. Combined with the police escort with flashing lights and blaring sirens that detracts and distracts from what the ride is about. As this ride has always been organized by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia I just assumed it was another example of the BCGP being out of touch with the cycling community of Philadelphia.

It turns out that this ride has been organized by a group of volunteers under the auspices of the BCGP, with only one slight problem. The BCGP has never provided any oversight for this event, effectively leaving these volunteers free to do whatever they want. Whether it reflects the intent of the ride or the message the BCGP wants to promote.

This is yet another example of the level of disconnect the BCGP has not only within its own organization. But also with the cycling community of Philadelphia that is evolving to include the voices advocates from Philly Kidical Mass. Who want to include their children and families into the Philly cycling scene.

Man blocks Bus

In May a cyclist was overtaken and passed by a SEPTA bus so close it almost hit him. This is not an uncommon occurrence in Philadelphia, this time however the cyclist took matters into his own hands by blocking the bus with his bicycle until the police arrived. The most frequent comments were along the lines of; he can’t block a bus like that, what if someone is going to the hospital or a job interview or he should have filed a complaint with SEPTA. There were problems with these theories, no one was being prevented from getting off the bus. As for SEPTA investigating, there is no way SEPTA would ever admit error, to do anything less would make them liable in a lawsuit. To say nothing about how 30 days earlier a cyclist was killed by a SEPTA bus driver when he “swerved” in front of the bus.

There was some very questionable behavior on the part of the driver. Despite the hour long delay and the police showing up, SEPTA had no idea that the bus was out of service. Until someone posted what happened on social media. Why didn’t the bus driver notify his dispatcher?

Ride DNC

Alexandria Schneider, organizer of the PopeRide, was back again with another huge ride. This time its was to celebrate the electoral process. Starting at the top of Broad St. and riding down to the Wells Fargo Center. With 200 people departing from the start for a ten mile ride, they were joined at the midpoint, City Hall, by another 1000 people. I’m not sure what opportunities will occur in 2017, but I look forward to the next large scale ride Ms. Schneider will plan.

Open Streets

In 2015 the shutdown of Center City for the Papal visit and the PopeRide proved to be the motivation for the city of Philadelphia to try its first Open Streets event. Where several miles of streets are closed to everything except pedestrians and human powered vehicles. The event was highly successful.

I did take issue to the way it was promoted, as 10 miles of car free streets. In reality it was three miles of car free streets. The other seven miles were the Schuylkill River Trail and Martin Luther King Blvd, both of which are closed to automotive during the day of Open Streets.

While I hope that this event is a sign of things to come. With multiple Open Streets events throughout the year in different locations. I remain skeptical that this will be anything more than a non-event. With very few miles actual car free streets, let alone a major street.

Mayor Kenney

Of course Philadelphia Mayor Kenney had some involvement this year in cycling and infrastructure development.

First up was the ban on parking cars in the median of South Broad St. With the Democratic National Convention in town and Broad St being designated as an official route for any marches or protests. In order to facilitate this all cars had to be removed from the median on South Broad St. This worked out so well that a petition circulated asking the Mayor to make this a permanent solution.

The problem is parking the South Broad St median is something of Catch 22. Parking on the South Broad St. median has always been against the law, but never enforced. It has become a Philly tradition that ranks right up there with throwing snowballs at Santa Klaus and drunk Mummers parading on New Year's Eve. Blocking the median has always been a safety hazard for traffic and people attempting to park their cars on the median.

Mayor Kenney had the perfect opportunity to make this a permanent solution until a small percentage of the Negadelphians decided that this tradition should be preserved. To the detriment of the community. At which point Mayor Kenney stated that this should be resolved at the local level, leaving the issue permanently unresolved. Its seems that when Mayor Kenney took on Big Soda which spent 3 million dollars to prevent the Soda Tax he was a man of great strength. But a couple of South Philly Negadelphian’s and he runs and hides like a frightened child.

Mayor Kenney was very slow on the uptake was his use of Twitter. Something that was readily apparent during the early days of the 2016 SEPTA strike occurred.

         Rather than have any level of sympathy for the hundreds of thousands of Philly residents and suburban commuters that the strike impacted. He instead chose to use what passes for humor in South Philly. Mayor Kenney has since learned the need for restraint and listening when he stated in an interview; “He said he’s had to learn to control his temper, listen without reacting, and stop tweeting, unless it’s positive. “Sometimes it’s time to grow up, it’s time to realize that your job is really important, that your own personal likes and dislikes are not germane to moving the city forward,” he said.”

My hope is not only will Mayor Kenney listen, but he will also act on what will benefit most Philadelphians. Instead of allowing their voices to be drowned out by a loud minority who want to hold Philadelphia and its residents back.

Of course 2016 wasn’t finished without a complete surprise. The 5th St. tunnel bike lane got delineator/flex posts and was proclaimed Philadelphia’s premiere protected bike lane.  That was until a few weeks ago when the DPRA (Delaware River Port Authority) removed them because winter is here and they need to plow the tunnel. Because in Philadelphia we get so little snow to begin with. But don’t worry the DPRA will put them back in April. Once again demonstrating that Philadelphia’s commitment to Vision Zero is optional and seasonal.

200th Post

It seems not that long ago in 2011 when I first started writing this journal. All to often people have wondered why I do this.

Fame?

Fortune?

The respect of my peers?

Adulation of the masses?

Free stuff from bicycle companies?

Dating Victoria's Secret models?

I only wish it had been as simple as one of those items on the list. The main reason was that I felt there was a lack of an independent voice for the Philadelphia cycling scene. In 2009 there were two voices for cycling; opinion writer Stu Bykofsky and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

On the one hand you had Stu Bykofsky a local opinion writer and grumpy old man. Who on regular basis writes anti-bike columns based on half truths and masquerading his personal opinion as facts. On the other there was the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia whose focus on long term visions and insider negotiating practices often left Philadelphia cyclists hold the short end of the stick. When bad deals were negotiated with the city of Philadelphia government or Mr. Bykofsky. With no one questioning the actions of either party or any expectation of  accountability.

Along the way I have seen the Philadelphia cycling scene change and evolve. Bicycle lanes have become part of Philadelphia in a unique way. In the past people used to yell at me to get off the road, now they yell at me to get into the bicycle lane. Even when there is none.

Group rides have increased and evolved from the Pretzel Ride, to several different rides a month, all year round. Annual rides like Cranksgivng and the Tweed Ride have become the highlight of the year. There have even been large scale rides like the 2015 PopeRide and the 2016 RideDNC that have have had attracted over 1000 riders.

Philadelphia still has a lot of work to do, there are things that need to change and be improved. One of the most pressing issues is to undo the deal the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia made with Philadelphia City Council. In which for return for a Safe Streets bill the BCGP allowed the City Council passed a bill giving them final control of the installation of all new bike lanes in Philadelphia. Decisions like this should be left in the hands of city engineers, not a group of politicians who are only interested in getting reelected.

I also feel that it is time to expand the bike lane infrastructure with actual bike lanes, not sharrows. As well as maintain the existing system. If you take the time to ride many of the bike lanes outside of Center City you will see that they have faded away to the point where you can’t tell there was ever a bike lane.

One of the things that I am intrigued by is Mayor Kenney and his actual commitment to Vision Zero and Open Streets. For those of us who did not flee Philadelphia during the 2015 Papal visit, Popen Streets and the PopeRide was an experience to remember. It created an unofficial opportunity to see how Philadelphia and its residents would react to future events, led to a petition asking for Open Streets events, and on September 24 the first Open Streets event will be held in Philadelphia.

While I sense there is some growing change in the cycling scene now that City of Philadelphia government seems more receptive to listening concerns of residents who walk and bike. I am still skeptical about how major issues will be addressed.

This is not the ride to cure Byko

As much as I would like to get behind Byko’s Safe Bike Ride, I just can’t. And it appears that the vast majority of Philly cyclists and Stu Bykofsky’s fanboys feel the same way. Contrary to Stu’s boast that “My strategy is to attract the ones who want to kill me. They are the majority. I am going for volume.” It appears that the majority has spoken and they have no interest in killing Mr. Bykofsky. Instead they are ignoring him.

There is one good thing that came out of this ride, when Mr. Bykofsky attempted to dominate the conversation on the ride’s Facebook page. Normally when Mr. Bykofsky interacts with cyclists and and cycling advocates it his through his opinion articles. Where he controls the narrative and can claim that his personal opinions are facts, without having to contend with actual facts or opinions other than his own. This time was different, when he foisted his opinions on Facebook. He was not ready for what happened, people pushed back with actual facts and challenged his statements. (http://bit.ly/28XyoZQ)

My favorite interaction with Mr. Bykofsky was when he stated; “Oddly, the Bicycle Coalition does not do studies on red-light-running cyclists. I wonder why?” Implying that his personal opinion that all cyclists run red lights would be validated. Therefore there must be some vast conspiracy to cover this up. When I asked why didn’t Mr. Bykofsky conduct a survey of his own his response was one of denial; “ Because you wouldn't accept the result “.  That’s right folks it’s my fault that Mr. Bykofsky refuses to prove his own theory.

The Byko Safe Bike Ride is a “Courteous Mass”, during which the participants obey all stop lights and traffic signals to the letter of the law. Sometimes rides like this are used to demonstrate just what could happen if cyclists were to obey the letter of the law, to the extent that most car drivers do not.

When bike lanes were implemented in 2009 Stu Bykofsky created a mythology that all cyclists break the law by running red lights and stop signs or by riding on the sidewalk. By claiming that his personal opinion are actual facts.

Since that time the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and other well intentioned, but misguided cyclists have been under the impression that if they could just get Stu to ride a bike he would have an epiphany.  Something Mr. Bykofsky made clear would not happen in his column “Byko: Want a piece of me” when he stated “So this is not, in the words of a biker friend, "the Ride to Cure Byko." 

And yet this belief that continues to be seen on the Byko’s Safe Bike Ride Facebook page by apologists for Stu, in the form of comments as; “What better way to change someone's mind, then to involve them.” and  “But maybe he's not manipulating us, maybe we are manipulating him.”, My personal favorite is “His column has served as a platform for bicycle recognition and change.”

Nothing is going to change Mr. Bykofsky’s opinion. I can only hope that this ride will finally lay this theory to rest and everyone will stop giving Stu the attention and perception of legitimacy he desires.

The Year in Cycling - 2015

Pope Francis

When the plans were released for Pope Francis’s visit to Philadelphia, they included closing five square miles of Center City to automotive traffic for three days. While many residents of Philadelphia left the area to avoid the crowds and the challenges of not having access to their vehicles.

For those of us who stayed we were rewarded with a unique experience. The chance to travel around Center City on foot, bicycle, skateboard or any other human powered vehicle. Other people had barbecues, parties, played games, or just hung out with their friends and neighbors. A day that was recognized as #PopenStreets.

The highlight of that weekend was the Pope Ride. Organized by Alexandria Schneider, she initially thought this would be her and a dozen friends riding around Center City. But as the numbers grew it the ride soon blossomed into a full scale event. With 3000 people participating the day of the ride.

Many people were heard to comment that this should happen every year. Including Mayor-Elect Jim Kenney. While some were very vocal that this would be a bad thing for the future of Philadelphia, the city of Philadelphia used to hold an annual Open Streets event. Once known as Super Sunday (http://bit.ly/1V5iEBX), in 1989 it had been held for 19 consecutive years. Presented as the “Biggest Block Party in the World”, Super Sunday had something for everyone. Live entertainment, animal rides, a job fair, sports demonstrations, movies, and enough food to feed all of Philadelphia. It would not be that difficult to recreate this again.

The City of Philadelphia shuts down ten miles of Broad St. for the Broad St. Marathon. As well as one mile of Broad St for the annual Mummers Parade. Why can’t we do the same thing for the benefit of every resident of Philadelphia?

Stu Bykofsky

Of course all of this positive energy was not without its naysayers and none was more vehement that Philly’s own Stu “old man yells at clouds” Bykofsky. As Stu went completely off the deep end in a column titled “Cyclists are never satisfied” (http://bit.ly/1Sa153Q). When he engaged in a personal attack on the Pope Ride’s organizer, Alexandra Schneider. One could almost see the spittle flying out of Stu’s mouth and hitting the screen of his computer. As he said the words he was typing out loud.

Stu Bykofsky’s attitude was summed up very succinctly by one person who posted a comment. “The amazing thing about Stu is that he only relates events in the world to his own experience, not to the greater world at large.”

That’s not to say that Stu does not have his moments. Every so often Stu tries to prove that riding a bike, for any reason, does nothing more than exercise his futility. This year Stu took a spin on Indego bike share to see if he could get to work faster on a bike (http://bit.ly/1QWzdj0).

According to Stu it takes him 16 minutes to walk 1 mile from his home to work. Which means he walks at 3.75 miles per hour, an astounding speed as the average walking speed is 3.1 mph. At 3.75 miles per hour he is practically jogging to work, especially when you consider that Stu is 74 years old and a lifelong smoker.

But on a Indego bike it was a whole different matter. Instead of riding one mile to work, Stu rode a two mile roundabout route. One that utilized bike lanes, the very same bike lanes that Mr. Bykofsky feels are unnecessary. It took him 21 minutes and 22 seconds to ride two miles at an average speed of 5.71 mph.

One person even replicated Stu’s route, including stopping at all red lights and stop signs, they got very different results. After riding the route 3 times it took an average of 13 minutes and 42 seconds. with an average speed of 10.63mph. Considering most cyclists ride at 10 to 15 miles per hour this, Mr. Bykofsky’s speed was baffling compared to his ability to jog to work.

#unblockbikelanes

2015 was the year we could safely say that the #unblockbikelanes concept was finished and done. No amount of data is going to change unwillingness to ticket cars parked in bike lanes. As well as the causal lack of respect that prevails in Philadelphia when this sign was placed in a contra flow bike lane. Giving cyclists the choice of riding into oncoming traffic or on the sidewalk.

In response, I proposed the concept of placing safety cones along bicycle lanes to create temporary barriers (http://bit.ly/1Sa2Myk). Regrettably no one was inspired to do that. However in New York City the Transformation Department (http://bit.ly/1QWzjXC) has instituted this concept with great success.

Media

Spoke Magazine started publication this year and has turned out to be a welcome addition to the cycling media. A print magazine, publishing on a quarterly basis, Spoke Magazine has consistently published well written articles on a diverse selection of topics. Normally most cycling media tends to bog down on articles about the technical minutiae of bicycles and components. Spoke Magazine has written about people, places, and infrastructure. Now that they have added a website you can access previous articles online.

On March 23rd Philly Pedals published an op-ed written by Michael McGettigan (http://bit.ly/1mgcym5) castigating the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia for being too much of an insider in local politics  and how they needed to “work on their advocacy a bit.” As a former two term board member of the BCGP Mr McGettigan called out the BCGP for  recent failures and poor judgment.

Sadly this bombshell seemed to be the end of any consistent publication of articles. An unfortunate state of affairs that I hope will be rectified.

The Manayunk Bridge

The Manayunk Bridge or as it is better known as The Bridge to Nowhere, was supposed to be the shining new jewel of the regional trail system. Connecting Manayunk and the Schuylkill River Trail to Lower Merion and the Cynwyd Heritage Trail. And it did, except for one slight problem.

Instead of categorizing the bridge as trail, it was classified as park. Limiting it only being open from sunrise to sunset. Which in reality is 8am to 6pm fall and winter and 8am to 9pm in the spring and summer. This of course assumes that the Lower Merion Parks Department opens the gates on time. Which has not always been the case.

The problem is that no lighting for the park or the bridge was part of the budget. While I understand the liability and safety issues of having people on the bridge and in the park at night. The reality is that the bridge will benefit people from Lower Merion on the weekend. Provided they don’t want a cup of coffee in the morning or enjoy an evening dinner. If you are a bike commuter or heading out for an early morning workout on the Schuylkill River Trail you are out of luck.

With a new Mayor in office who has made some degree of commitment towards pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure. Along with an interest in holding Open Streets events, we will see what happens in 2016.

The War on Cars? Fact or Fiction

It was only matter of time before Stu Bykofksy's paranoia came through and in his latest column he is in full bloom.(http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/stuniversity/302832161.html) What should have been a column about the Philadelphia Parking Authority's new app only lasted half the column before he expounded on his latest crackpot theory about Philadelphia's war on cars. The only thing missing was claims about black helicopters and one world government.

The research department at the Philadelphia Bicycle Journal have found a new video that supports Mr. Bykofsky's crackpot theory. Sort of. Complete with factual data from traffic engineers and psychologists. Check out the secret video we have unearthed.

                                                                                                                      

Bykofsky Bike Bingo

Over the years Stu Bykofsky's bike columns have become so predictable that you could play the game "Bingo" with them. To score a bingo you can use the comments and Mr. Bykofsky column to win. Check out his most recent column http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150426_Biking_with_Byko.html 

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Bike share for Stu Bykofsky

Bike share is coming to Philadelphia and the city is soliciting recommendations for placement of bike share stations. I can’t think of a better location than the one at Market St and 11th. Not only is it close to the 11th St and Market St. SEPTA stations. It is also two blocks away from 801 Market St. Home of the Philadelphia Inquirer’s editorial staff. Wouldn’t it be great for if there was a convenient bike share station to help with their commute and to annoy Philadelphia’s bike Grinch Stu Bykfosky.

to help vote for this location as a bike share station click on this link.

The Best of Stu Bykofsky

Lets face it Stu Bykofsky is his own worst enemy when it comes to addressing what he percieives to be an epidemic of of outrageous behavior on the part of cyclists. Even in his most recent column about an article in City Paper written by Nicholas Mirra of the Greater Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia. One that addresses some of the perceptions of Jerk cyclists. How do you take the complaints of anyone seriously who calls cyclist pedalphiles?

So I chose to feature some of my favorite posts I have written about Stu Bykofsky.

All to often people don't think themselves capable of being able to write like a columnist. But in How to write a column like Stu Bykofksy, I broke down the formula Mr. Bykofsky uses to create his bicycle columns. So anyone can write a bicycle column like Stu Bykofsky. 

Then there is Spring has Spring for Stu Bykofsky where I took a silly look into how Stu Bykofsky's mind works when he writes a bicycle column. But more importantly there is a video that asks the question just how dangerous and prevalent is red light running in Philadelphia.

Last up is Professor Stu Bykofsky when he addresses a class at Temple University taught by former Mayor Philadelphia  and crime lord John F. Street, you can only guess what the subject of the lecture was. Even more interesting is the lunch time interview when Street and Bykofsky seem more like Beevis and Butthead. 

Really Philebrity, Really??!!

Philebrity.com likes to rail about Stu Bykofsky and anti-bicycle columns, but it appears they are intent on becoming the hipster version of Stu. Their most recent column, Reasonable Humans Draw Up Pedestrian–Cyclist Armistice That Will Be Followed Everywhere But Here Because Of, Well, You Know.

They allude that an article in Slate Magazine which promoted a simple solution of mutual respect between cyclists and pedestrians to end common misperceptions of each other. Philebrity’s response was, it won't work here because “you know”. The problem is, we don't know. Is Philebrity inferring that there is something unique about Philadelphia cyclists and pedestrians that won't make this work? Do they have to keep perpetuating the myth that all cyclists are bunch lawless renegades. Terrifying little old ladies as they ride on the sidewalks and running stop signs at will. Or a group of individuals on the fringe who ride because they have no choice because of DWI/DUI or a environmental extremist.

Why does Philebrity need to engage in the same type of pot stirring that Stu Bykofsky does? Is this a ploy to increase the number of hits on their website or do they truly feel that Philadelphia cyclists are a bunch of renegades? It would be nice if Philebrity could explain why this won't work, but only they know.

Beevis and Butthead

On Friday, June 14, 2013 Stu Bykofsky wrote his latest anti-bicycle screed and I would have responded sooner but every time I tried to reread the column I kept breaking out in a fit of giggles. Stu Bykofsky has finally found the Beevis to his Butthead; former Philadelphia Mayor and current Professor at Temple University John F. Street. Stu was invited as a guest lecturer for one Street's classes on local government and community advocacy because Professor Street “invites speakers who he thinks can be of some value to students”.

As usual there were unsubstantiated comments about bicyclists and bicycle lanes. But it got really funny when Professor Street not only backed up these claims with his own anecdotal evidence. Such as as his assertion that "When you take a person and you put him on a bike, something happens to your brain," Street says. "You get real aggressive, you're like a cabdriver on a bike. It's all about getting there. A stop sign doesn't mean anything." So Professor Street can add Psychologist to his resume.

If students at Temple University want to learn just how corrupt urban government can be then all they need to do is take Professor John F. Street class. He is a case study in ego and failure. When Street graduated Temple Law School he got a clerkship with the U. S. Department of Justice and was quickly terminated for poor performance. After becoming Mayor 18 members of his staff were convicted for corruption during an FBI investigation. When Street was head of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, from 2004 to 2011, Street hired the law firm his son worked at to handle PHA legal matters. Street claimed he had a non-existent waiver and his son billed over 1000 hours on PHA business. Street's brother, Milton Street former State Senator, was convicted for tax fraud on 2 million dollars he received as a consultant by getting companies lucrative city contracts while his brother was in office.

Stu really seems to be grasping at straws these days, he'll do anything to get attention. After his lecture he and Professor Street had lunch afterwards. Which again gave me a fit of giggles as the entire conversation must have gone like this.

With friends like these, who needs Stu Bykofsky.

Philebrity likes to rail about Stu Bykofsky's anti-bicycle columns, but it appears they are intent on becoming the hipster version of Stu. Their most recent column, Reasonable Humans Draw Up Pedestrian–Cyclist Armistice That Will Be Followed Everywhere But Here Because Of, Well, You Know.

They allude that a recent article in Slate Magazine which promoted a simple solution of mutual respect between cyclists and pedestrians. To end common misperceptions of each other, Philebrity’s response was, it won't work here because “you know”. The problems are, we don't know. Is Philebrity inferring that there is something about Philadelphia cyclists and pedestrians that won't make this work? Do they have to keep perpetuating the myth that all cyclists are bunch lawless renegades. Terrifying little old ladies as they ride on the sidewalks and running stop signs so drivers get into accidents.

Why does Philebrity need to engage in the same type of pot stirring that Stu Bykofsky does? Is this a ploy to increase the number of hits on their website or do they truly feel that Philadelphia cyclists are a bunch of renegades? It would be nice if Philebrity could explain why this won't work, but only they know.

Lets annoy Stu Bykofsky even more

An ancestor of Stu Bykofsky from a time when there were no bicycles

The Philadelphia Police Department is holding their annual traffic enforcement in Center City during June.  Focusing on specific areas in Center City, areas with high volumes of motor vehicle offenses. The campaign will be run until June 28th. The map below shows the locations where enforcement will be focused.

View Untitled in a larger map

The goal is to reduce pedestrian and bicycle crashes in Center City, increase motorist awareness through education and enforcement. There will be an increase in the number of citations given to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians within the targeted zones.

This will also be a great way to truly annoy Stu Bykofsky. In 2009 Stu Bykofsky opinion writer and professional grumpy old man for the Philadelphia Daily News started writing anti-bicycle articles. According to Stu cyclists or as he likes to call them; bikeheads and pedalphiles.  They are all blatant lawbreakers who either ride on the sidewalks or run red lights and stop signs.  He says that this something every cyclist does, no exceptions and no amount of bike count data will convince him otherwise.

To make matters worse he also claims that because only 1.8% rides bikes three days a week so bike lanes are not needed and take away lanes for cars. What he leaves out is 1.8% of the population of Philadelphia is 27,856 cyclists per week. That doesn’t sound small. Now there is his latest claim, in 2011, 80 cyclists were ticketed and in 2012, the number rose to 88. By Stu’s logic he believes because large numbers of cyclists are not getting tickets there must be very few people riding bicycles. At no time does he even consider that cyclists are not the lawbreakers he thinks they are.

So how can you annoy you annoy Stu Bykofsky? Stay off the sidewalks unless you are walking your bicycle, don’t run stop signs, and wait for green lights. Lets see if we can get the number of tickets issued lower than 88 for 2013.