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“Get Out The Bike Lane” bill signed into law; Enforcement delayed until Spring 2025

December 5, 2024

Mayor Cherelle Parker has signed into law the “Get Out The Bike Lane” bill recently approved by Philadelphia City Council. The bill, which prohibits motorists from stopping, standing, or parking in a bike lane, was introduced by City Council President Kenyatta Johnson two months after the death of 30-year-old Dr. Barbara Ann Friedes, a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who was killed in a multi-vehicle crash while legally riding in a bike lane bear 18th and Spruce Streets back on July 17.

Going forward, folks will now be fined $125 in Center City and University City, and $75 in other neighborhoods, for stopping or standing in any bike lane in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority will be the lead agency enforcing the law. The new law isn’t going to be fully enforced until the city updates all the necessary traffic signs which should be completed by next spring.

In mid-August, a petition led by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia in partnership with 5th Square, Philly Bike Action and Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia was given to Mayor Parker and other members of Council urging for passage of this legislation and other measures in support of fully protecting Philadelphia’s bike lanes.

President Johnson co-sponsored the bill along with Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District).

1 Comments For This Post

  1. Learnandread Says:

    Some alternate phrases for the bill were tossed around:

    “Go back to Jersey”;
    “….Delco”;
    “Get out the bike lane…unless while texting/tweeting”;
    “Get your SUV out the bike lane…unless kiddos are late for school(PAS), karate”;
    “Practice very very basic common sense/courtesy”; (my least favorite)
    “Ohh sorry, didn’t know you were in a rush. In that cause, speed on!”;
    “Pretty please” (my favorite);
    and finally,
    “Ohh whatever”.

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