These bikes are part of the Washington D.C. bike share program. (Photo from Newsytype.com)

Bike sharing in Philadelphia took another step closer to becoming a reality yesterday when the city’s Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU) released some details during a public meeting at the Academy of Natural Sciences.

The proposal divides the city into two zones. The first would include Center City, University City and the streets near Temple University and would include 1,000 to 1,500 bikes. A second zone, which would include neighborhoods from near the navy Yard north to Lehigh Avenue, would see about 500-1,000 bikes, the Philly Post reports.

The bikes would be housed at stations and can be picked up at one station and dropped off at another. The program will likely require a membership (in Washington D.C.’s program this ranges from a day to a year) and a usage fee (around a couple of bucks an hour). You will probably have to supply your own helmet.

Bike share programs already exist in Boston, Denver and Washington D.C. New York and Chicago are considering plans. Those programs, like the one planned for Philly, are managed by private contractors. The company Alta Bicycle Share operates the program in Washington – Capital Bikeshare – and Boston – Hubway.

City officials believe the improvement in Philadelphia’s biking infrastructure – including more dedicated lanes – has helped prepare the city for a bike share program. The downside is that we’ll have to keep waiting. The program won’t be up and running until 2014.

After a week-long service disruption due to the fire at Elena’s Soul, Route 34 trolley has resumed normal operation this morning. SEPTA advises to expect some residual delays while full operations are restored.

The University Avenue/34th Street Bridge crossing the Schuylkill River in the Grays Ferry section will be closed for repairs and cleaning for approximately three weeks beginning Wednesday, Jan. 2, according to a PennDOT announcement. The bridge is part of a common route to access Interstate 76.

The bridge will be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians. During this period drivers should expect an increase in traffic and are advised to detour over Grays Ferry Ave., Woodland Ave. and 38th St. The bridge, which is a double-leaf drawstring bridge, has been in operation since 1930 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

In addition, Penn Public Safety has posted an announcement that Spruce Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 34th Street to 38th Street from 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on Friday, Jan. 4 to 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, for installation of a crane. Drivers are advised to follow marked detour signs during this time.

Shuttle buses have been replacing Route 34 trolleys between the 40th Street portal and 61st Street since Monday due to the fire at Elena’s Soul. We’ll let you know when the trolley resumes its service. In the meantime, here’s more information on the shuttle bus route.

Westbound (via Chester Ave)

– Right at 42nd St.

– Left at Baltimore

– Left onto 49^th St.

– Right at Springfield

– Right at 50th St.

– Left at Baltimore, resuming regular routing

Eastbound (via Baltimore Ave)

– Right at 50^th St.

– Left at Springfield

– Left at 49^th St.

– Right at Baltimore

– Right at VA Medical Center Dr.

– Right on Woodland and back to 40^th Street, resuming regular routing

Despite the two stop signs, vehicles routinely blow through the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Springfield Avenue.

A cyclist was reportedly seriously injured last night when she collided with a car at the corner of Baltimore Avenue and Springfield Avenue, a notorious intersection that includes heavy pedestrian and bike traffic and where cars often don’t stop.

The accident happened at about 11 p.m. and the cyclist was wearing a helmet and her bike had lights, one witness said. The cyclist appeared to be unconscious when the ambulance arrived. A witness also said that a pedestrian stopped the car that hit the cyclist.

A reader, Kelly, who lives on Baltimore wrote to us about the accident and included a warning to pedestrians to stay alert near the intersection. We are trying to get more information on the woman’s condition.

Kelly writes:

“In the last month 3 separate bicyclists have been hit at this intersection. I don’t know the young person that was hit and I hope she is okay but it was not a pretty site. Thankfully a pedestrian saw her get hit and stopped the car. My partner and I were home and heard the accident happen and while she called 911 I ran out to see if I could help. Needless to say this intersection is horrible and I make it a point to never cross there unless absolutely necessary. Basically I would love the message to get out to those crossing at that intersection to please be aware of the cars that neither look, slow down, or care if you are walking/biking and if you can avoid crossing there do it. It would be amazing if we could do away with the intersection all together making those cars turn on 45th at the light and making them slow down, stop, and consider the others that occupy the roads/crosswalks.”

In preparation for the 19th annual Philadelphia Marathon, city officials have issued a traffic and parking advisory for many parts of the city. Delays are expected and motorists are advised to avoid these areas. Some portions of West Philly will be affected too.

Some of the major areas impacted include:

– The inner lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Friday, November 16 through Sunday, November 18.
– Citywide along the 26.2-mile route of the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, November 18

The following streets will be closed at 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18, and will reopen, as runners pass through the race course. All race routes will remain closed until 4 p.m.

– 21st Street, from Spring Garden to Arch streets
– 22nd Street, from Spring Garden to Arch streets
– Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 22nd to 16th streets
– Arch Street between 16th to 4th streets
– 4th Street Arch to Vine streets
– Race Street, from 4th Street to Columbus Boulevard
– Columbus Boulevard (Southbound lanes), Vine Street to Washington Avenue
– Southbound off-ramp, from I-95 at Washington Avenue
– Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
– Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
– South Street, Front to 6th streets
– 6th Street, Bainbridge to Market streets
– Chestnut Street, 6th to 34th streets
– 34th Street, Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue
– Lansdowne Drive, Girard Avenue to South Concourse Drive
– South Concourse Drive, Lansdowne Drive to West Memorial Hall Drive
– West Memorial Hall Drive, South Concourse to Avenue of the Republic
– Avenue of the Republic, West Memorial Hall Drive to Centennial Circle
– Old Lansdowne Drive to the Sweetbriar Loop
– Black Road
– Martin Luther King Drive
– Kelly Drive
– The Falls Bridge
– Ridge Avenue, Schoolhouse Lane to Manayunk Avenue
– Main Street, Ridge Avenue to Green Lane.

Update: Here’s a link to a map showing the streets closed during the marathon.

Source: Philly Police Blog