The sidewalk logo in front of the Supremo market on Walnut between 43rd and 44th.
The city is gearing up for bike share – set to begin in the spring – and is asking the public where stations should be placed.
You may have seen the sidewalk decals in front of, for example, the Supremo supermarket at 43rd and Walnut. The Green Line Café at 43rd and Baltimore is also a possible spot. Unfortunately, there are no proposed stations further west than 43rd Street, according to an online map at phillybikeshare.com. Bicycle Transit Systems will manage the program.
One way to comment on proposed stations, is to go to phillybikeshare.com and click on a station icon and leave comments. You can also text a “yes” or a “no” to 215-987-6034 and enter the station code you see on the sidewalk decals (the one at Supremo is no. 42). Comments are accepted until Oct. 20, 2014.
The stations will be just over 6 feet wide and between 45 and 75 feet long. Most will be about 60 feet long and hold 20 bikes.
Here are the site requirements, according to the web page:
• Stations must be placed on hard surfaces (e.g., concrete, asphalt, brick, pavers). No grass or landscaped areas.
• If on a sidewalk, the sidewalk must be at least 13′ wide to maintain clear space for pedestrians.
• Stations should receive sunlight for around 6 hours a day (to fuel the solar-powered kiosks).
• Stations must be visible and accessible from the sidewalk.
Click on the image to go to the map.
September 23rd, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Not to pile the inevitable “put it near me” sentiment, but why are they not offering spaces further West? There are plenty of commuters to downtown, or people who head out to Clark Park, Baltimore Ave etc out further. Barkan Park at 50th and Spruce or Cedar Park at 50th and Baltimore would be great, heavily traveled spots, as would the EL station at 46th.
September 23rd, 2014 at 4:05 pm
Will:
I don’t know the answer to your question, but the bikeshare site has, as an option in its feedback section, for suggestions for other sites. You should make your concerns known to them.
September 23rd, 2014 at 6:25 pm
@ will – I see a dot very close to clark park, just north of the green line.
Also, I presume that the target areas are for where there is a high density of casual users and tourists (and if they are anything like the bikes in Montreal, they are heavy and slow and not really what I would want to commute on).
But take heart…I imagine that they will expand if it is successful. Many people are still scared of any street west of 50th…businesses in particular. They aren’t going to start in that area 🙁
September 24th, 2014 at 11:22 am
Re: Gordon comment. Apparently with its newly expanded employee incentive program (West to 56th St), Penn and many people that have and continue to move to that area see that area differently than you do. I guess tree lined streets, large ,very affordable homes, relatively safe , organized blocks and exceptional access to public transportation and a high home ownership base don’t appeal to some. Before you make a statement Gordon, to quote the GEICO cavemen, do a little research.
September 24th, 2014 at 11:27 am
@ Ivy.
You seem to have misunderstood me.
I’m simply saying there is a perception of the quality of the areas west of a certain point, and I’m certainly not the only one who will acknowledge that perception.
Perception, not reality, drives many business decisions. That’s all. It’s not fair, but it’s reality.
September 24th, 2014 at 1:14 pm
If you take a look at the website, they explain that in 2015 they’re going to launch the program to a smaller core area, and then expand it in 2016. It looks like the second year zone encompasses more of West Philly. http://www.phila.gov/bikeshare/PublishingImages/BikeShareArea.jpg
September 24th, 2014 at 2:54 pm
Wonderful initiative! I second the suggestion of expanding further west (lots of available spaces, lots of people that would use the bikes…)
September 24th, 2014 at 8:33 pm
I was also surprised that there weren’t suggested spots spaced out on Baltimore Ave. out to Cedar Park (like Lancaster Ave. has) but the year 2 map clears that up, I guess.