Withdraw the Bike Lane Parking Permits on Spruce and Pine Streets

"This is unsafe for bikers for a day each week, and I disagree with the granting of these permits. Biking is a sustainable alternative to driving and should be supported in our city."

"Stop parking in the biking lane please!! It is a health & safety hazard and horrible for the neighborhood. Please choose to make our city a safer and better place to live."

"Please also stop people from parking/double parking where there aren't bike lanes."

"I own a car in the city, and I manage to get around without parking it in dangerous ways that could harm others."

"Forcing bikes into traffic is dangerous. Making the bike lanes dangerous to use, even "just" some of the time, will make it harder to people to bike as their full time transportation because we can't trust that we'll be just as safe on a Sunday morning as any other day"

"I use these street frequently BECAUSE of the bike lanes, having a car parked in the bike lane is more dangerous than not having a bike lane at all as it causes me to be forced to merge into and out of moving traffic."

"It's absurd to legally allow parking in bike lanes. Plenty of large gatherings make do with the existing parking infrastructure in our large city, and these can too."

"Super dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians alike. No permit parking in the bike lanes!"

"Also, start taxing religions like the corporations they act like."

"I use the Spruce and Pine street bike lanes multiple times a week. And every single time there are cars parked in the lane. Having these permits is dangerous during the days AND encourages those to park in them on days off. Please get rid of the permits"

"Biked in city bike infrastructure all over the country and the world. Philly bike lane parking is the worst I’ve encountered. So, so dangerous. Clear the bike lanes!"

"Ride your bike to church."

"Have been hit by a car coming into the bike lane before"

"Violation of bike lanes by parked vehicles is rampant, not just on sundays by these congegations, although those are the worst times for the bike lanes. The city should institute a system whereby if a car is photographed parked or stopped in a bike lane, a citation and fine will be issued to the car. Thank you."

"There are already infringements on the few bike lanes that exist on just a few streets in Philly. Riders need assurances that those corridors will be patrolled and kept safe at all times. They add a good deal to the city’s perception as friendly to transport methods other than motor-driven. In northern Europe, bike lanes are everywhere and highly respected, such that injuries to bikers are nearly non-existent."

"I am a little surprised this is even being considered. Better bike lines is a must."

"I'm a big fan of your city, even though I live in California. But even from 3000 miles away I find this utterly outrageous. It's a bike lane. It's so people who choose to get around by bike can do so safely. Allowing people to park cars on it, for any reason, creates a hazardous situation and is unacceptable. Withdraw these permits immediately."

"As a Philly resident and bicycle commuter, it's important the City shows it sticks to its values and shows it cares about accessibility for all commuters. I've ridden through Spruce & Pine Streets when they've been blocked by cars for services and it forces us to ride into the main thoroughfare, where cars are not expecting cyclists, are often speeding, and thereby causing further frustration that motorists have for cyclists - all in all, a dangerous situation. Why do some motorists get special treatment being allowed to park illegally in bike lanes and don't have to park in garages or lots like other folks coming into the City for tourism and other reasons? Why can't they be encouraged to ride SEPTA - wouldn't that be a win/win/win?"

"These congregations have had long enough to figure out alternate solutions and have not made any effort to do so. Their current practices also encourage individuals to park in the bike lanes that aren't part of the congregation."

"Please put safety first! Keep cars out of bike lanes!"

"Also increase fines for parking in the bike lane…that would wake these illegal parkers up. This stretch of bike lanes is insanely dangerous."

"Please protect bikers and all street users by protecting bike lanes for bikes only! Thank you!"

"I'd like to add that more white poles should be out up"

"Philly has a huge population of those who bike every day. This would grow even more if potential bikers felt safe. We have the right to access bike lane infrastructure safely and consistently."

"I ride along Spruce and Pine frequently and honestly I would feel safer riding in the street than veering out into traffic so frequently with the cars parked in the bike lane, but the cars would get mad. It’s scary to merge into traffic and completely unnecessary as the bike lanes were built for bikes, not for parking."

"Continuous bike lines are rare and important for safety of the general public. Cars should not have more rights."

"Parking in bike lanes seems all too common in Philly, increasing danger for cyclists. Let’s keep Philly bike lanes clear and safe."

"The congregants can use public transportation. These bike lanes were established for bikers, no other vehicles should block access to the bike lane."

"Having cars park in the bike lane puts bicyclists in immediate danger, forcing them to merge directly into car traffic."

"Bike lanes should be accessible to all riders at all times."

"South Silladelphian here (formerly of Wash. Sq) who, despite frequently not being able to find parking on the rare occasion I drive, absolutely thinks no parking should be allowed in the bike lanes, ever. In fact, I think you should hike prices for parking permits in the city and improve public transit and bike lanes. I’m also a nurse, improving bike transit is public health. We are never going to be a bike friendly city until we stop catering to cars. Please take action. Thank you."

"I work in center city on the weekend, as do many others, and the cars parked in the bike lane on Sundays make my commute less safe. Families are often biking on Sunday and deserve a safe ride as well."

"Please have drivers respect bike lanes!"

"These are important routes and cyclist and pedestrian safety needs to be prioritized over congregant convenience. Please remember your Vision Zero commitment and revoke these permits."

"Please take bike lane safety seriously!"

"I live near these bike lanes and have seen first-hand how church attendees leave their cars in the lanes for hours, forcing bicyclists dangerously into traffic. There is no reason why church members cannot pay for parking in nearby parking places (lots, garages) like other members of the public."

"Philadelphia street-side basketball lanes are an active safety issue that prevents cyclists from feeling safe enough to use them. The regular use of bike lanes as legal parking not only forces cyclists into vehicle traffic once a week, it sends a message to drivers to not take the lanes seriously and to use them for parking throughout the week. It also demonstrates to cyclists that they cannot be assured of of safe infrastructure to ride, suppressing bike transit that would reduce noise, congestion, and parking strain."

"And repaint faded bike lane lines!"

"I'm forced to walk my child's stroller in the street every Sunday and put him in unnecessary danger just to get around these inappropriately parked cars."

"Clearing bike lanes and adding more PROTECTED bike lanes is essential for safety, not to mention a necessity for any city to be competitive, attractive, offer high quality-of-life, and become a more environmentally healthy city. Please add more protected lanes and enforcement to keep these lanes safe and open. Thank you."

"I often use the Spruce and Pine Street bike lanes on weekends and really annoyed that worshipers are allowed to park in these lanes - potentially dangerous, could be lethal to bikers."

"Yes enforce no parking in bike lanes and withdraw permit parking on Sunday also slow down traffic on roads throughout PHL henry avenue Kelly drive MLK drive Thank yiu"

"Cars parked on bike lanes make it very dangerous"

"We need to be bold and encourage alternative mobility while disincentivizing car use."

"I ride these lanes almost every day, carrying my 3 year old and 11 month old kids to daycare, parks, and recreation. These permits make these routes dangerous for people and families using bicycles to travel across the city, and I strongly encourage you to consider loading zones, special parking permits, or other solutions that do not involve parking in bike lanes. Thanks for your hard work to make Philadelphia safer, cleaner, and greener!"

"Please help keep motor vehicles out of the bike lanes. It is dangerous for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers because it forces cyclists onto the sidewalk or into a lane of moving car traffic. jim"

"I agree!"

"The cars obliterate the bike lanes when I want a safe ride down to the Schuykill river trail. Stop cars on bike lanes between the Delaware and the Schuylkill rivers now!"

"I am a long-time Center City resident and a cyclist. 10th Presbyterian especially has abused a courtesy.i have witnessed cyclists getting “doored” and injured by churchgoers. Please do not renew permits."

"There’s no parking in bike lanes when attending other activities in the city. The church should subsidize alternative parking for its members."

"Our bike infrastructure appears to become secondary to cars. That is not how progressive cities behave. We can do much, much better."

"This issue should have been addressed forever ago. Let’s do the right thing so we can focus our energy on other ways to improve bicycle infrastructure throughout the city."

"To illuminate this further: if parking in car transit lanes were proposed, it would be laughed out of the room. Kindly ensure the work you put into providing safe lanes of travel for folks outside of cars continue to be accessible."

"As a Jewish woman who regularly attends synagogue myself and commutes via bicycle, I do not believe members of any establishment—religious, civic, or otherwise—should be allowed to block bike lanes. This does a disservice not only to local residents but also to other congregants who, like me, depend on bike lanes to safely commute to services."

"Pedestrian lives are Human Lives, but I thought that was obvious!"

"Protect bikers in Philly. No parking in bike lanes!"

"This city could be so great with proper bike safety lanes. Please work to protect cyclists from car traffic and give Philadelphia more of a reason to get cars off the road in the city. Please help keep cyclists safe!"

"Cars do not belong in bike lanes. Keep people safe and alive!"

"Last fall, I got hit by a car while biking to work in the pine street bike lane… on a Wednesday! The driver was very apologetic and tried to explain that they were “just trying to park.” (Then they were so embarrassed that they drove off, apparently to park elsewhere?!) The parking permits, even on weekends, send the message to drivers that the bike lane is a space for parking. This endangers cyclists when we see a car parked in front of us and have to signal and take the car lane, or in my case when I’m merrily biking along in the bike lane and a car merges into me without looking. I 5 months pregnant and still commute by bike. These days, I try and take bike lanes and quiet streets. Still, I know cars when cars make mistake, those mistakes can be deadly. And driving cars make people feel entitled to all pavement, which makes fewer people confident enough to ride bikes, which makes more people drive, which traffic congestion and air quality and noise pollution worse for everyone. Please. Make biking a viable alternative in the city and live out the city’s vision zero commitment in action! Take away these permits and work with congregations to find other alternatives that don’t endanger cyclists."

"I have to ride in the street while biking to my church (from Rittenhouse to Society Hill) because other church-goers don’t want the inconvenience or expense of parking in a remote lot and instead park their cars in the bike lane. Please choose safety over convenience: stop allowing this."

"Now if we could also prevent the delivery companies, contractors and entitled residents from blocking the bike lanes, our daily lives would be much less harrowing. Please keep fighting to give cyclists equal legal stature to drivers."

"Also on 18th. People often block residents from being able to turn left out of Panama st. Thank you!"

"The practice of using bike lanes as parking spaces greatly reduces the efficiency of our bike lane network and discourages its use. This increases the amount of cars on the road. The network is clogged by non locals at the expense of locals. Additionally, it is dangerous causing de facto mixed traffic. If we, as a city, want to increase traffic efficiency, bike lane use, and overall health, if we want to reduce traffic related accidents, bicyclist injuries and deaths, and reliance on cars, we should end this practice."

"Bikes lanes make cities better, healthier and more beautiful. I love that Philadelphia has adopted some changes over the past year and hope the city administration will keep up the efforts to make the city pedestrian, bike and public transport friendly enough so everyone feels safe about using those infrastructures and can leave their car at home (or don't even need a car!)"

"We ride these streets every Sunday morning. We are constantly forced to merge with traffic, which can be heavy and in a rush. We ask that the bike lanes be kept clear for bikes!"

"I ride on these bike lanes with my kids every weekend. It's demoralizing and unsafe."

"Why create bike lanes if you allow them to be occupied by anything that is not a cyclist? This is a danger to cyclists lives that people in cars do not care about."

"Cars parked in bike lanes place my life at risk."

"Bike lanes should never be parking spaces."

"Bike lanes are for bikes!"

"Jesus would ride public transit to church."

"Bike lanes were not built for Sunday church parking."

"These permits make biking in the city even more difficult than it already it."

"I'm a member of Tenth Presbyterian Church. Church leadership needs to figure out some better alternatives."

"Pine street , particularly on Sunday is more dangerous for cyclists as the randomly parked, force bus into the only lane !! As we are trying to move forward , stoping at every car is ridiculous to look for traffic , and looking can be useless , as the cars are moving quite fast!!! Result in ride on any other street, which of course is more dangerous and annoying to motorists I’m sure !!!!! These permits are ridiculous!!!!"

"My daughter rides on these streets all the time. She is doing her part for climate change and the planet by committing to using her bike instead of a car. We must support people like her, and encourage others to ride. Bike lane parking permits should not be a thing. You would not allow this if it was a car lane. This is dangerous and puts my daughter's life and all other cyclists' lives at greater risk."

"God doesn’t grant free parking for his believers."

"I am glad there is a movement afoot to end this practice as is it infuriating to me. I would think that the churches would be supportive of it as well, assuming they desire safe, enjoyable neighborhoods."

"This is definitely a step in the right direction. I get annoyed when construction going on in our bike lanes, but I understand that it's absolutely necessary. When it comes to parked cars on a Sunday for church is absolute ridiculous and a major safety hazard that can be eliminated by prohibiting the permits."

"There is more than sufficient lot and garage parking for parishioners who wish to drive to their place of worship. People who choose to drive in the city are not owed convenient, free parking - especially when that parking endangers other travelers. Thank you for your consideration."

"Living on Spruce St, the bike lanes are normally a great resource except on weekends when they are taken over by cars. Nothing ruins a weekend ride like having to dodge impatient traffic because parking is seen as more important."

"I’ve been hit three times by cars in the last 12 years and having access to dedicated bike lanes greatly increases my feeling of safety."

"Our cyclists deserve to feel safe in the streets and these permits threaten that. Please work for a better solution."

"Ridiculous people can park there ALL day for church forcing cyclist with their kids into traffic!"

"I live on 18th and Spruce and I find it incredibly annoying that bikes have to go onto the sidewalk or cut into the street to avoid the cars in these spots. Houses of worship shouldn't get special exemptions that put other citizens in danger."

"Stop this dangerous practice."

"this is an absolute no-brainer."

"Churches do not pay taxes, but I do. My tax money pays for the streets, sidewalks and bike lanes. I don't approve of using my taxes to provide free parking spots for churches. If congregants need a place to park, they can find a normal, legal parking space like anyone else who chooses to drive to a destination in my neighborhood. Pedestrians and bike riders are not second-class citizens. Cars should not have more rights than we do."

"It's a pretty simple issue. The bike lanes are there for a reason."

"Enough is enough!!"

"Philadelphia should be designed for people, not cars. Permits to routinely block bike lanes are dangerous and should never be allowed! Also, cars parking or stopping in bike lanes must be ticketed."

"Bike lanes are an integral part of metropolitan life. As someone who biked two and from work and two and from activities on the weekend for several years living in South Philly bike lanes were a necessary part of my ability to traverse the city safely."

"No parking in the bike lane! Keep bikers safe! Stop valuing driver convenience over bikers’ lives"

"Please remove the permits!"

"As a cyclist and resident of the city of Philadelphia, who is also partially blind, I rely on bike lanes to be able to travel by bike safely throughout the city. The practice of allowing cars to park in bike lanes puts my life and the lives of so many others at risk, unnecessarily. Why are these congregants being given special treatment? I find these permits discriminatory- you are putting their religious needs above the safety of others."

"There’s nothing sacred about on street parking, but many of these churchgoers would likely agree that the right to life and freedom of movement is sacred. OTIS, do the right thing!"

"I commute by bike all over the city, in large part because South Philadelphia already has problems with too many cars. We need a better bike infrastructure, and we have made progress with bike lanes-so it makes no sense to let cars park in bike lanes. It discourages bike commuting, because it’s really risky taking the car lanes and risking an accident. Perhaps the churches can have an agreement with parking garages in the area?"

"A right to worship does not mean a right to free, convenient parking. A right to life, though, means cyclists should not have to be physically endangered by people who are using a legal loophole. Churches can work to find a solution: shuttles, traveling together on public transit, or going to churches closer to their own homes, that don't risk the lives and health of the citizens of center city."

"For years I’ve avoided my favorite route to bike on Sundays. It’s not a 2-lane road like it was in 1989. Blocking bicycle right of way for religious reasons is dangerous."

"As someone who lives on 15th and Spruce and has to deal with these cars being parked in the bike lane, I think it's important to focus on the safety of bikers over comfort of people who choose to use a car."

"I've nearly been hit by cars all the time because of this. It's unfair to the bikers and the drivers! When you have a bike lane that is obstructed, it defeats the purpose of having a bike lane!"

"Churches not encouraging public or sustainable transport shows lack of faith and trust in thy neighbors if it is a safety concern. This same fear is held by cyclists who know that the average motorist does not care for their safety. The convenience of the churchgoers and their lack of independent mobility or fears of public transport should never outweigh the legitimate concerns for physical safety that cyclists hold. Cyclists use the public infrastructure as intended, while churchgoers do not and at the same time prevent others from using the space in an unsafe way."

"Out of town suburban worshippers should not block us from safely biking our streets. Keep church and state separate and prioritize safety!"

"We should not accept one more pedestrian or cyclist death. This is one more step in the right direction."

"vision zero now!!!!"

"I'm moving to Philly this summer and I believe making the city more bikable is crucial for the city residents' quality of life."

"I live in "west" philly and have had to give up on biking as my primary mode of transportation due to the dangers it presents to cyclists. There needs to be a permanent solution created by the city to address parking shortages AND to provide serious and protective bike lanes for cyclists. The problem isn't with the cars or the bikes, it's with the city. Fix it."

"As a cyclist who has been clipped by side view mirrors, and cut off by motorists, this measure is long overdue. Not only does parking in designated lanes suggest to congregants that bike lane obstruction is normal it also gives the appearance of leniency for tourists who in turn mimic this behavior in neighboring corridors."

"It can be terrifying to be a biker in Philadelphia. Sunday is the weekend for everyone, not just Christians."

"The city overall lacks safe bike lanes for cyclists. The fact that it then goes the extra step to purposely take away a portion of safe bike lanes every week is careless. The city needs to address this. I personally experience this issue on weekends when riding. Vehicle drivers in Philadelphia are not careful of bike riders forced to ride in the streets. Issuing these permits shows a clear indifference to the safety of bikers. Biking should be protected and prioritized over motor vehicles, both for environmental and health reasons. Someone’s choice to drive a motor vehicle to church on Sunday should not put me or anyone else at increased risk of physical harm."

"Stop letting cars park in bike lanes. It’s unsafe. There’s enough places for cars to park. Thank you!"

"We need safe spaces to ride our bikes. Religion does not take precedence."

"Bikers deserve more respect!"

"Bike lanes offer numerous advantages, making them an essential piece of modern transportation infrastructure. They prioritize the well-being of vulnerable road users and contribute to a greener environment and healthier communities. Church goers, like office workers during the week, should take public transportation or find legal street or garage parking."

"Bike lanes are for bikes."

"These lanes were created for the safety of bikers. That is no less true on Sundays and I don't view the parking needs of these congregations as any more legitimate than those of homeowners and businesses in the area who have to comply with regulations."

"I bike recreationally along Spruce Street and Pine Streets from Fishtown all the way to the Schuylkill River Trail, and having to constantly verge into traffic to avoid parked cars really makes me nervous and stops me from using the bike lanes more often."

"This is by far one of the most ridiculous policies I have ever heard. With the lack of concern from the current PPA, this will just evolve into people occupying the entire bike lanes on Sunday. Just do a little bit better, thanks."

"As an everyday commuter whose experienced 3 run-ins (accidents) w automobiles these past 3 or so years, I can't stress enough the need for more protected bicycle lanes."

"I live on Spruce right by Broad, and almost every Sunday I right along the Spruce Street bike lane. Cars parked in the bikelane with technically illegal permits take away the only good east-west bike route in this part of the city. It also leads to an attitude amongst drivers that it's okay to park in the bike lanes, leading to more parking in the bike lanes outside of the permitted time. These permits put lives and risk and harm hundreds of Philadelphians each weekend, just so that a small number of car-owners can avoid paying a small amount for parking in one of the nearby lots. Please protect Philadelphian lives, and end this illegal, amoral practice."

"I actively go out of my way to travel via bike lanes in the city, often with my young daughter, and when it’s blocked, it makes for dangerous biking."

"There is plenty of infrastructure for cars and drivers - reserve the existing parking spaces for congregants on Sunday! Let's prioritize safety for bikers and pedestrians."

"Since the PPA announced its new Enforcement Unit in April 2023, we've seen literally no such action taken anywhere that we travel in the city. We're not cyclists but we keenly appreciate the need for safe lanes and strict policies."

"We need more access to bike lanes all week long - especially on Sundays."

"Bike lanes cannot sometimes be used as parking lanes. That’s dangerous for cyclists. You’d never let a church block a road by parking in it. Bikes are legitimate forms of transit, and we need to be doing more to encourage the use of them if we are going to have a chance of beating climate change."

"Please be considerate of your neighbors. It is extremely unsafe to force bikes out of the bike lanes into traffic. Bike lanes are for bikes, period"

"I bike to church on Sundays with my child. Every Sunday the bike lane parkers endanger our lives. Choosing to live car-free is part of our commitment to care for and protect God’s creation. Disincentivizing low-carbon transportation is not good stewardship of our climate. It’s bad public policy and it’s a bad public representation of our faith."

"STOP granting special privileges for those religious groups. They should be using parking garages. Public safety is the responsibility of every citizen. Bike lanes are a public safety necessity especially for Philly. Compromise safety and you deter people from going into the city and spending their money 💰 Lost revenue the city needs. SUPPORT SAFE STREETS AND BIKE LANES."

"I am often forced into traffic on Sunday when cars are parked in the bike lane. I am 73 years old and feel unsafe when the bike lane is blocked by a car. Most recreational bikers use Pone & Soruce street bike lanes to reach Fairmount Park or Schuykill bike trails."

"Please stop this dangerous situation. Car drivers do not respect bicycles or their riders."

"Safety means safety for everyone, every day, all day and all night."

"I ride my bike around Philadelphia's innercore as often as I can on my days off because I enjoy being able to use my bike. The city's failures to maintain and protect both bus and bike lanes makes things incredibly dangerous for everyone."

"These church parking permits make Philly streets more dangerous to vulnerable road users. I make a point of using one of the multiple and mostly convenient public transportation options to visit Philly from Jersey... Other outside (non-property tax paying) individuals can do the same."

"I live at 16th and Pine and witness or experience many unsafe situations due to the bike lane parking, which some parishioners seem to use from as early as 8am until late in the afternoon or even early evening on Sundays, which raises questions as to how long they are actually at church vs taking advantage of the parking for other activities. It also clearly encourages Amazon delivery and others to illegally park in those lanes when they see the church affiliated cars parking there."

"Safety over convenience."

"more bikes! fewer cars! get it together!"

"Cycling is an affordable and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. Let's keep it safe for cyclists and keep bike lanes for bikes, not cars. the safer cycling is, the better it is for EVERYONE."

"People parking in the bike lane puts my children and me in danger every Sunday. Remove the permits for parking in the bike lane and then make it a parking protected bike lane."

"It's really unnerving and dangerous having to negotiate with car traffic every DAY on this path. The Sunday parking allowance on the bike lane sets a bad precedent that it's okay to park any day of the week in the bike lane."

"Bike lanes are for bikes. End of discussion!"

"I regularly bike on Pine and Spruce and almost always have to dangerously navigate around cars stopped in the bike lanes. We deserve safe passage without cars 24/7 in the few bike lanes we have."

"From the Inquirer, "Geiger said out of about 600 parishioners attending Sunday services, 450 people drive and need parking." In reality a small percentage actually need parking, most just want free parking. If the city just focuses on those that actually need parking that should free up the bike lanes"

"A shuttle system would do wonders! Something similar to what UPENN now has in South Philly under the 9t overpass."

"We utilize the bike lanes getting to and from the SRT and find it terrible that we get pushed into traffic so others are not inconvenienced with finding parking because they choose to drive to their places of worship. The amount of cars and the time they block the bike lanes is unacceptable and seems unfair to riders and other cars that have us pushed into their lanes unnecessarily."

"Bike lanes are made for bikes not cars. Only in an emergency should cars be in the bike lane."

"I have had multiple incidents of almost getting in an accident due to these cars being parked in the bike lane, forcing me to bike in front of cars who angrily honk their horns and tailgate at an unsafe distance"

"As an incoming resident physician at Jefferson Center City, I will be commuting by bike to the hospital on a daily basis. Having a safe way to get to work on my bike is important to my health and my ability to care for patients. Likewise, my patients need a safe way to get to the hospital whether they are driving, cycling, or taking public transportation. Parking in bike lanes forces cyclists to swerve into car traffic or ride on the sidewalk, which is unsafe for everyone--cyclists, drivers and pedestrians. To my knowledge, no other major city allows such a thing, and it must stop now."

"Allowing people to park in bike lines is counterproductive and further discourages biking while encouraging more driving. We all know this city doesn’t need more cars."

"Access to safe bike lanes is crucial for biker safety."

"Bike city."

"Take it away"

"very helpful."

"No cars!"

"Keep our Bike Lanes safe!"

"Why even have bike lanes if people are parking in them??"

"We want our bike lanes!!"

"The churchgoers should not park in the bike lane, it makes life very dangerous for bikers"

"Need these lanes to travel safely!!"

"Give me safe bike lanes"

"Please, keep cars off bike lanes. In 2021I have had a couple incidents were fell off my bike because of cars parked in bike lanes."

"Bike lanes for Bikes! Not parked cars. Biking is dangerous enough in the city, need bike lanes to remain open 24/7!"

"This is an important issue! Keep the bike lanes open!!"

"We need this for the safety of our children !"

"No reason to block the bike lane for just a couple of parking spots, even on a weekend"

"I’ve experienced unsafe conditions as a cyclist and seen people almost get hit while driving because when you are forced into the lane people don’t see cyclists especially at intersections."

"The bike lane parking routinely forces me to bike in the traffic lane, endangering myself and impeding the flow of traffic along Pine and Spruce. The bike lanes are obstructed during the week by parked cars, and they're obstructed on Sundays by parked cars. These two streets are the only protected East/West bike lanes to get across Center City, and yet they're obstructed every day of the week."

"The bike line should be for bikes, not cars. Plain and simple. Do the right thing."

"It just doesn't make sense that the city invested in a network of bike lanes for the biker's safety just to give them up for folks to park their cars. Putting bikers in jeopardy again."

"No cars in the bike lane!"

"The city sends a loud and clear message that cars take highest priority over citizens when it sanctions the bogus use of construction parking permits to allow parking of personal vehicles (many with out-of-state plates) in dedicated bicycle lanes. This puts lives at risk and discourages the citizens of Philadelphia from riding our bikes on streets paid for with our taxes. Please end this practice immediately."

"This is a huge problem on Lancaster Ave, particularly on the blocks between 39th and 43rd Street many cars double park, sit idle, sit with hazards, open doors with without looking or generally drive without regard for the safety and well being of cyclists or pedestrians."

"houses of worship should aim to live in harmony with the neighborhoods they live in, not treat them like free parking lots which are then often used after services for people to shop downtown etc. This is key bike infrastructure and it should not be blocked"

"It is especially dangerous to ride with children when constantly forced into car lanes."

"The Pine and Spruce bike lane is the best thing for cyclists just south of the city, providing a safe and healthy alternative means for Philadelphians to get where they're going without the issues that come with driving everywhere. However, when drivers park in the bike lane, it becomes unsafe very quickly, as cyclists such as myself have to suddenly contend with auto traffic, which becomes dangerous and even deadly. Let's protect these bike lanes, and prioritize cycling over drivers who may not even live in the city and have alternatives for where they can safely park."

"Swerving around parked cars puts my life at risk! Please stop allowing the convenience of few to overtake a major thoroughfare for bike traffic."

"In recent years I have stopped utilizing the bike lanes on Pine and Spruce because it is honestly safer to ride in a traffic lane on adjacent streets. We need a safe corridor for biking in Center City."

"Parking in the bike lanes defeats the point of having them in the first place. It makes the streets more dangerous and results in congestion from the number of cars on the streets which can not handle them due to lack of alternative means of travel. What's worse is that the bike lanes are turned into parking lots for organizations which pay not taxes to maintain the roads which they claim the exclusive right to have."

"As someone who bikes to get places in Center City, I have personal experience navigating around cars parked in bike lanes. It is DANGEROUS!"

"Religious practitioners should not receive special rights or exemptions to the law on public land. The flagrant mis-parking creates a danger for everyone - bikers, pedestrians, and drivers - and makes the major lanes unusable during their prime times --- weekends!"

"Most of the attendees could walk, or take public transportation. We should incentivize those modes."

"This parking coincides with daytime bicycle use. Many of the vehicles parked are not attending services."

"11. Thou shalt bike to church."

"As the mother of an adult child who has biked as her only form of transportation for the last 24 years, I applaud those municipal governments that choose to advocate for cyclists. Allowing parking in a designated bike lane - even if only during specified times - defeats the purpose of the bike lane and increases the danger for those who depend on bicycles for transportation. I beseech City Hall to reverse their recent decision."

"Biking in the city is so dangerous, this does not help."

"Please protect our bike lanes!"

"Climate change is real and we are already seeing the effects. Bowing to the pressure of oil-rich dictators is also real, and we are spending billions on a war in Ukraine because Europe is dependent on Russian oil. Reducing car dependency will reduce global oil consumption and mitigate both of these seemingly intractable issues. Unfortunately it's still terrifying to bicycle in Philadelphia, and will remain so until there are safe corridors for both east-west and north-south travel. Please withdraw these permits and put up real barriers that protect our fragile human bodies from the inherent violence of cars."

"I am a Queen Village resident who loves going to church and deeply supports the Philadelphia religious community and their worship activities. Furthermore, I am a staunch advocate for disability access and ADA compliance. The current Sunday parking situation is a non-solution and cannot stand. There is absolutely no reason that a safer plan be delayed any further. This is of crucial importance to the safety of our greater community. We need a safe solution and we need it now - one that features actual handicap parking in the area for those who require it, not a blatant misuse of permits. Parking in the bike lane puts our community at risk and is at best an unacceptable inconvenience (a literal roadblock). Quite simply: it is not fair to my neighbors. This needs to be thoughtfully worked through with urgency and with particular concern for road safety and ADA retrofitting. Thank you."

"we should be encouraging car-free transportation!"

"I applaud Philly Bike Action - may they be the new fiscal conduit required to make quality of life improvements within the city - such as ensuring Bike Lanes are not used as a bartering tool for the Powers that Be to have convenient parking. This practice encourages bike lane obstruction by other motorists who observe the tacit policy with the churches - make it safe and FAIR for all."

"Bike lanes should only be closed in full street-closure emergencies. Congregations should encourage their members to walk, ride bikes, or take public transportation to services. The long-standing permits have endangered cyclists for far too long."

"This city was not built for cars! For ANY American city to be future-ready, we are going to need to stop catering to the private automobile and start putting people first."

"I got into a bad biking accident that left me with multiple injuries, all because an illegally parked van was parked near a bike lane. Philly can and must do better to protect our residents."

"Our bike lanes are already so poorly enforced, with no real separation from the driving lanes and constant harassment from drivers. No one should be allowed to get a free pass to illegally park in a bike lane. Church isn't a justification for endangering the lives of Philly bikers. It's unacceptable that this is even a thing congregations can do- more special rights for orgs that already have outsized power relative to their tax status. Congregants should have to find parking the same way everyone else does."

"No one should be allowed to get a free pass to illegally park in a bike lane, just as no one should be allowed to park in a handicapped space, regardless of their justification."

"Please keep bike lanes free for non-powered bicycles. Please ticket Uber/lyft/taxi drivers who are too lazy to pull over at street corners instead of in the bike lane, too."

"Our city should be doing everything it can to incentivize the use of bike and public transit infrastructure to reduce traffic and pollution. When the preferences of drivers are prioritized over the actual needs of cyclists, we create unsafe situations that make it harder for people to choose the better option of biking to get around Philly. Let’s protect the dedicated infrastructure we do have and keep our bike lanes accessible to bikes!"

"I have been doored, clipped and even T-boned countless times in Philly and never once in the drunk driving capital of New Orleans. Please protect what few safer spaces cyclists have. The trifecta of Philly, Jersey & NYC drivers makes an especially road ragey cocktail. I know it’s a tired joke how the local driving culture looks the other way for hazard light double parking, packing the box after a red light & disregard of through traffic (especially pedestrians) when turning. Congregations should use some of their tax free funds for a shuttle if they can’t afford or find parking not endanger already fragile bikes."

"I used to commute down these bike lanes and it was always such a harrowing experience. Why do we continue to prioritize car culture and the convenience of a select few people over the safety of so many?"

"I no longer live in Philadelphia but I support bike lanes being usable as intended, especially when blocking them creates a huge hazard for many"

"I'm a person who doesn't drive due to a disability. I don't bicycle anymore, but I am on the streets every day and I see bike lanes as an important part of the city. Parking is a challenge, but taking away from bike lanes is not the answer. Bike lanes bring safety to bikers and also people like me who are just trying to navigate cars everywhere -- on sidewalks, in cross walks. It has to stop."

"Enforcement of existing traffic laws is one of the easiest, fastest ways for Philadelphia to make our streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. There is no reason to allow this infringement of the safety of the general public, particularly in a case like this which is clearly favoring a particular religious group over others."

"Please keep bike riders safe!"

"People over cars."

"no cars in bike lanes"

"Please keep cyclist safe"

"Making Philadelphia more bike-friendly and more environmentally friendly is important to me as a citizen of this city!"

"Safety is serious"

"Dear Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability, As a frequent user of the Spruce and Pine Street bike lanes, I am asking you to withdraw the bike lane parking permits used by congregations on those streets. These permits are a risk to people currently biking along these streets and deny a safe place to ride for those who would like to bike here. Alternatives to bike lane parking exist. I encourage you to work with the congregations currently requesting permits to find those alternatives once the permits are withdrawn. Thank you, Elam"

"I drive and bike in Philly. The city desperately needs safer cycling infrastructure—not more car accommodations."

"I live, commute, and ride my bike in the city. Too many cyclists have been killed by motorists In the past few years and it seems to be getting worse. The bike lanes need to be physically separated from cars."

"Bike lanes are for bikes, not cars. There are multiple parking lots within a short 1-2 block walk of all these congregations. No one's lives should be put in danger just so someone can park marginally closer to their church."

"It is a risk to cyclist and drivers both to have cars parked in these bike lanes! There are plenty of parking lots available for those cars to park close to these churches that don’t involve blocking the bike lane"

"I support making our streets safer for everyone!"

"Please also create protected bike lanes"

"As a vigilant driver in the city, I constantly worry about the safety of the cyclists around me. Choke points where we have to share a lane are stressful and dangerous and exacerbated by unnecessary parking/double parking in bike lanes. Give our cyclists protected bike lanes to keep us ALL safe and traffic moving smoothly!"

"There isn’t a single day I bike in the city without putting my safety at risk by swerving around these parked cars in the bike lane. Please think of our safety by creating protected bike lanes!"

"People should be able to ride their bikes safely, without the stress of having to weave in and out of traffic."

"If parking is allowed in bike lanes, then there is no bike lane. People will go where they feel safest, and if they're constantly being forced to weave, many will choose the route that makes them most visible to traffic at all times and forego the bike lane entirely."

"Having to swerve around parked cars into traffic while pulling my young children in a bike trailer is an infuriating risk I should never have to deal with. Safe bike lanes now!"

"Please find a safe alternative that values safety. Surely the Spruce and Pine congregations value life above all else."

"Please take action to assure that bikes can access the bike lanes, and not have to dangerously divert into traffic to travel down the street. Thank you."

"Please discontinue this dangerous practice of issuing bike-lane parking permits"

"Vehicles parked in bike lanes at any time increase risk to all cyclists. When the bike lane of an entire block is occupied, the risk is exponential as drivers get frustrated at being able to travel only as fast as the slowest cyclist."

"I want my family to be able to bike safely in our neighborhood!"

"Regular, temporary exceptions to public safety laws create permanent public safety hazards. Giving motorists any suggestion that parking in a bike lane is okay sometimes will inevitably be interpreted by some as it being okay anytime. Bike lanes have to be protected all the time if they are to fulfill their public safety purpose 24 7 365."

"Safe bike lanes please"

"I commute and run errands regularly along Spruce St. via biking and pray that I’m not in front of an angry driver every time I have to swerve into the street because worshippers are parked in the bike lanes. Please help make our city safer for cyclists 🙏"

"I believe members of religious congregations are welcome to park the same way as patrons of any other business in the city; by finding on street parking or paying to park in a myriad of lots in the area. It's strange that we set aside space in the city that is designated for bike but only when it doesn't inconvenience cars. We don't let people park on the sidewalk because it's allocated for pedestrians and it would be unsafe for people to walk into the street to avoid cars on the sidewalk. The same is true for this space allocated for bikes."

"Practicing slalom in and out of the bike lanes to avoid parked cars seems like fun but almost getting hit every time you go out for a ride makes it less enjoyable... Philadelphia is one of the least bike friendly cities in the country but yet it has so much potential!"

"This needs to happen, people on bikes are not safe. Even cross the street can be an issue because you can’t see cars on coming."

"Bike lanes are meant to keep bicyclists safe. How can they be safe if they have to weave in and out of traffic to avoid vehicles parked in the bike lane. This is basically an F You to bicyclists. “We put a bike lane there, what more do you want” It’d be nice if bicyclists could actually use the bike lanes without having to worry about their safety."

"I would like to see all of the congregation parking eliminated!"

"Protect designated bike lanes - no exceptions!"

"What’s the point of having bike lanes if cars are allowed to park in them?"

"Please prioritize the safety of cyclists over convenience for car drivers! More people will bike if the city makes it safe to do so, and keeping bike lanes clear is one way to make biking safer. More people biking will improve individual health, community health, environmental health, and even the economic health of the city."

"We know that letting congregants park in the bike lanes was a deal the city made with the devil when they first installed the bike lanes. Clergy and congregants need to know this behavior needs to end for the safety of everyone on 2 wheels. Having a house of worship in the city is tough when people move away and expect to come back in their cars. Should the needs of one person in a car override the 10-20 cyclists that use these bike lanes every hour? There are alternatives to this."

"Cyclists deserve to feel safe commuting and riding for pleasure on the streets!"

"I don't bike in this city because of things like this. If we prioritized the safety of other modes of transportation I would be more apt to."

"It's high time we stop putting city imperatives like efficient flow of traffic and pedestrian/cyclist safety at risk in order to facilitate parking for visitors to churches. Center City has a wealth of parking options for visitors."

"Cars in bike lanes continue to present a safety risk to me and my family as cyclists and drivers in Philadelphia."

"I use the Spruce & Pine Street bike lanes as my primary commute route . I hope that the city would withdraw the bike lane parking permits and regularly enforce ticketing in the bike lanes. Vehicles parking in the bike lane is dangerous and doesn't serve Philadelphia residents."

"There are many lots in the city that sit mostly empty during the Saturday and Sunday morning times. It is imperative that only bikes be allowed in bike lanes. It is only a matter of time until someone pays for these parking permits with their life. If that happens, these churches and synagogues will pray for alternative solutions and send condolences to the family of the victim. Let's make sure nobody dies and everyone can be safe. Let's find a parking lot alternative for these cars and encourage SEPTA and other ways to go to worship without city-permitted parking in bike lanes. Thank you."

"Please do not permit cars to park in the bike lanes."

"Please keep the bike lanes open!"

"Please prioritize safety over convenience - these permits put vulnerable road users at risk."

"This is such a dangerous situation. I ride often on Sundays down both Spruce and Pine and find this practice totally unsafe."

"Bike lanes are for bikes!"

"Withdraw the BIKE LANE parking permits for cars immediately! BIKE LANES are for BIKES, not more places for cars to park."

"I use this bike lane frequently, particularly on weekends, and would really appreciate feeling safe using a lane intended for bikes instead of risking my life in the vehicular traffic. Please do the right thing here. Thanks!"

"You would never allow people to block an entire road for parking, so why would you allow people to block a bike lane? Blocking a bike lane puts cyclist's lives at risk, and shouldn't be allowed."

"As a regular visitor to the city, I would rather transit + bike instead of driving. You are 'making' what, 20 parking spaces, but pushing 50 ? 100? people off of bikes, into cars, that then also need parking. The worse you make biking, the more I (and others) need to drive to or through that neighborhood, the more cars there are clogging it up."

"Blocking bike lanes and forcing bikes to intersect with traffic goes against Philly's Vision Zero initiative. Thank you for your consideration,"

"Please revoke the permit for weekend parking on the bike lanes. It creates a dangerous environment for cyclists pedestrians and drivers."

"I agree with the petition.I also question where the folks parking are coming from. Why don't they use SEPTA? It's a major inconvenience and safety issue."

"It makes no sense to me that these permits are still in place. They are risking my life and the life of others for convenience."

"My family rides on Spruce and Pine regularly. Blocking the bike lane creates an unsafe situation."

"This also creates a hazardous condition for drivers when people park poorly in the bike lanes. I see no reason to continue this practice for any stakeholders"

"Please stop trying to kill me."

"Please do this absolute barest minimum to keep people safe on the street"

"Safety of bicyclists before convenience of parking. The city needs to do both."

"These permits are unnecessary and create dangerous conditions for cyclists - who are already the most vulnerable group of road users in Philadelphia - regularly harassed and put in unsafe situations by irresponsible, dangerous and aggressive drivers. As a taxpaying Philadelphian I consider paramount the delivery of safe infrastructure for all road users - pedestrians, cyclists and car drivers alike. Withdrawing these irresponsible permits is just one small step towards providing safe and equitable road conditions for all Philadelphians."

"Jesus walked. It’s very bizarre and silly to allow church goers to clog up streets with car storage on Sundays."

"This has been an issue and danger to me and my family many times."

"Cyclists deserve safe space on the road! Forcing them into the lane of traffic with cars is dangerous. Make our streets safer every day of the week!"

"Keep our cyclists safe!"

"Bike lanes are safer when they're for bikes!"

"Forcing cyclists into active traffic lanes is a dangerous practice. Bike lanes are there for a reason, not to serve as surplus parking. I hope someone at OTIS takes seriously the dangers cyclists face."

"Especially not on weekends when most of us are able to bike!"

"Bikes need space and safety"

"As a bike commuter and pedestrian I’ve thought this practice was dangerous and irresponsible for years, so I’m furious to learn that it actually isn’t legal but the rules just aren’t being enforced."

"I dont bike but my husband was hit by a car last year. I don’t want that happening again. The streets should be safer for everyone to use."

"Every single day I am taking the Spruce street to go to work and everyday I have to switch to the car lane and put myself at risk of being hit only because cars/trucks are randomly stopping and parking in the bike lane! It’s dangerous and inconsiderate towards us cyclists."

"The parking situation renders the bike lanes unusable for large stretches at a time. It’s infuriating!"

"I don't even bike and even I know this is some extremely dumb stuff. A bike network doesn't work unless it's a network, and selling out legs of it to cars - especially PARKED cars - is braindead Car lanes and parking already take up close to 50% of our city. If you can't give up a few parking spaces, don't be surprised when bikeshare continues to languish and traffic, climate, noise, and pedestrian deaths continue to plague the city"

"I support a community arrangement that doesn't put bikers at risk."

"no parking in bike lanes"

"Stop trading political convenience for public safety"

"It is long overdue to withdraw the bike lane parking permits by congregations on Spruce & Pine Sts. These permits have left bicyclists trying to negotiate the traffic which is very dangerous for bicyclists. There are other alternatives for the drivers other than parking in the bike lanes...I.e, garage parking."

"Keeping bike lanes clear is critical for both cyclist safety and so cyclists can ride predictably near automobile users."

"Please make Philly safer for cyclists."

"Better enforcement Monday through Friday is also needed. Car drivers also need to be educated on the fact that Philadelphia was designed before the invention of the car and are not allowed to complain that they can't find a place to park their car."

"Convenient parking should not take precedence over the safety of cyclists."

"Enough of cars in the bike lane!! That defeats the entire purpose of having the bike lane at all. It is difficult enough to navigate around Philly on a bike without there being cars forcing bikers out into the street every block."

"Cyclists need safe car free lanes."

"Parking on the bike lane is illegal and dangerous. We cannot let our public roads be taken over by entitled drivers who feel that they can do whatever they want. Whether it’s blacked out license plates, parking on the sidewalk, or parking on the bike lanes, this practice has to end."

"Bike lane parking should not be permitted.- Not by Uber drivers or Amazon delivery vans- nor by church goers or residents. Please create safe streets for all."

"This is violating the safety of a more freedom cultivating vehicle than the car: the bicycle. This is unacceptable for being one of top 50 bike friendly cities in the USA!"

"I ride these bike lanes nearly every day. The number of cars parked in them is absurd."

"When part of the bike lanes are filled by cars, cyclists are forced to weave in and out of traffic, which increases the chance of collisions."

"If you wouldn't let your 8yr old daughter ride in the bike lane by herself, then it's not safe enough."

"I live btwn spruce and pine and do not feel safe riding my bicycle with my 11 yr old son every single Sunday because of the unsafe parking practices allowed because of churches. Their rights are not greater than mine yet they put me and my family at risk of cars without a thought of how unfair this practice is. The City is responsible for any injury or death that occurs because of this illegal parking allowance. I am sure their god would agree with me."

"While I understand the need of those who must drive their personal vehicles to worship and park them nearby, bike lanes are not a suitable location for doing this. Bike lanes are critical for safe transportation for families like mine and for people with disabilities. Please work with congregations to identify their needs and provide suitable parking for those who need it. Do not put people on bikes in harms way to accomplish this."

"Safety before parking."

"Bike lane parking policy is dangerous and negligent and needs to end immediately. Additionally, this policy misappropriates bike infrastructure for vehicles, masking budget allocations for cars under cycling dollars, while reporting “investments” toward cycling. This is manipulation and abuse of our city budget that needs to be eliminated immediately. City policies like this endorse poor driver behavior and dehumanization of cyclists. Drivers are aggressive in Philadelphia and use hateful, dehumanizing rhetoric against cyclist. Just spend some time on NextDoor. Cyclists should be able to enjoy bike lanes for commuting and for pleasure. One is not more important than the other. Open bike lanes on Sundays and stop prioritizing cars over the safety of citizens."

"Please make streets safer for people, not cars."

"I use to commute by bicycle but have given up due to it being too dangerous. Now I only ride on the SRT. Creating more dedicated bike lanes would make me more confident in commuting by bike again. Please withdraw the bike lane parking permits used by congregations on Spruce and Pine Streets."

"PHL needs to be consistent and pro active in supporting and protecting the infrastructure it builds for its citizens."

"Please let us ride safely"

"The Spruce and Pine bike lanes are highly used and safest places to bike in center city. Parked cars in these lanes force us bikers into traffic and risk getting hit by cars (who will not yield to bikers!). Keeping cars out of these lanes will prevent accidents and reduce congestion!"

"Me"

"Just last night, riding on spruce because I’m from out of town and that’s where the bike l supposedly is. But around 17th I have to take lane because one car after another is in the bike lane. An aggressive driver gets behind me, intentionally trying to make me afraid to bully me off the road. Please enforce the lane!"

"Bike lanes are for bikes 24/7, not parked cars"

"There should be no permit for parking in a bike lane - anywhere - no exception!"

"Bike lanes keep people safe, but only if they're actually usable. These kinds of permits get cyclists injured & killed."

"Olé keep the bike lane safe"

"Dangerous practice. I bike on Spruce and Pine frequently."

"Please take cycling safety seriously. Bikes are our religion and bike lanes are where we worship. Thank you."

"This is simple math. You can do something to make bike lanes safe for bikes and not just an extra space for cars. You all spent the time creating the lanes, now you gotta keep going a little while longer so that they can actually be used for their intended purpose! I know you can do it!"

"Protect people riding bikes!"

"What's the point of bike lanes if cars can park in them???"

"Seems like these parking permits kinda defeat the purpose of a bike lane, don't they? Philly should be promoting alternate forms of transportation like bikes and SEPTA to get around, reducing congestion and pollution while improving safety - for residents and visitors."

"Please do not give out those work around permits, don't break your own laws and permit parking in the bike lanes. What is the point of a lane, something we have to fight and grovel for even the most basic lane if the city just gives out work around permits to allow people to park in the bike lane they are not meant to be in. This is like parking cars in a car travel lane to a bike rider. Now I must go into the car lanes to go around which is a higher risk then just taking the lane normally since I'm popping out suddenly. All that giving permits and making the lanes less safe and nice to use does is create more car traffic, something this city doesn't need. Thank you."

"it's called the bike lane for a reason"

"We as bikers have the right commute safely and use the lanes designated for bikers every day of the week. I dream of the day I am able to bike to Headhouse farmers market in the bike lines built to keep me safe!"

"I utilize these bike lanes every day. Parking in the lanes is dangerous for bikers and causes disruptions to the normal flow of traffic as bikers are forced to swerve around parked cars. Make bike lanes safe and effective for everyone!"

"Residents riding bikes in Philadelphia are put at risk daily because of the community’s lack of respect for bike lanes. The City should set a precedent by removing these permits in support of safe and accessible streets for all users."

"These puts people in danger."

"Spruce and Pine bike lanes are the back bone for traveling across the city. The slower road speeds make them safer for a larger range of biking skill levels to use. I recently saw an older woman almost get seriously injured when she was forced into the driving lane by a parking car. Please stop granting permission for this outrageously dangerous practice of parking in these lanes. Far more bikers use these lanes than number of cars that park in them."

"I use these bike lanes every day I travel to work and come near death by drivers trying to run me off the road. The city built infrastructure to make this a safe space for cyclists to commute yet it is miserable to bike on these streets. These permits were a slap in the face to every day citizens and they’re not even the worst part. Contractors and delivery drivers occupy bike lanes with immunity daily."

"I can’t afford a car and depend on my bike to get around Philly. I use the pine and Spruce bike lanes to get from my home in south Philly to work every weekend - I work on weekends because I work in the service industry - and every week, I am forced into traffic because of the cars parked in the bike lanes. I have been assaulted, verbally abused, nearly doored from cars in bike lane, and pinched off the road into the parked cars because the cars behind me became upset by me using the road. One even yelled “use the bike lane!” while cars were parked in the bike lane for worship. I regularly see families with young children attempting to use the designated bike lanes as a leisurely weekend activity forced into traffic as well. There are plenty of side streets and lots for cars to park, but we cyclists have limited spaces designated to keep us safe. Please preserve these safe spaces for us to commute, teach our children how to ride a bike, or simply enjoy the city via a joyful and healthy mode of transport."

"I, nor anyone, wants to die so other can worship. Please stop the parking in the bike lanes!"

"Please please please!"

"I’ve watched someone get hit by a garbage truck on Pine street when biking around the parked cars. This must stop."

"While I don’t live in the city, my partner lives in the city as well as our friends. I use this “bike lane” and it pointless. Please revoke the permits to allow safer travel for cyclists. The city doesn’t need more cars, it needs safer alternative forms of transportation."

"Although I do not live in the city myself, my children do and they ride on the streets in Philadelphia often as do I occasionally. I prefer safe streets to going out in traffic when there is a designated lane for my/our safety"

"I use Pine/Spruce to navigate the city several times a week, and enjoy it so much as a safe, reliable option during the week that the change in sense of safety on the weekends (and even during the week with cars regularly stopped in the bike lane) is discouraging. Withdrawing these parking permits, to me, would be an amazing commitment to bike safety from the city and an extension of the appreciated efforts elsewhere towards providing many bicycle riders a sense of comfort."

"Unsafe practice. I almost died one time having to abruptly swerve into traffic. Unacceptable planning."

"Bikes are an important form of transportation in this city and bike infrastructure must be protected. Bike lanes are for the safety of cyclists, not extra parking!"

"Respect bike infrastructure"

"Please do not ignore this dangerous permit before it is too late. This will directly impact the safety of everyday commuters traveling by bike. Last year already broke the record on lethal vehicular related crashes for bicyclist in Philadelphia. It is time to enact regulation that saves lives, not endanger them."

"These should be the best streets to bike on in the city and instead every day is a mad max esque hell ride where you should expect to die due to being forced out of the bike lane by a delivery driver or parked car."

"Respect bike infrastructure!!"

"Car have their own lane, respect bike transportation!"

"I bike along the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine Sts several times per week for work and recreation. I've been injured in bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles in the past and am constantly in fear of my safety when cars are permitted to park in the bike lane. Please end this practice so that the convenience of others does not take precendence over my and other riders' safety!"

"What is even the point of a bike lane if you are giving people legal right to park there? The whole point of a bike lane is to alleviate congestion by giving cyclists an unobstructed path This is just sheer legislative failure, I mean who thought this was a good idea?"

"It doesn’t make sense to endanger residents of the city so that people can drive from elsewhere to park in a bike lane. I do not feel safe using these bike lanes — because they are regularly occupied by cars."

"Make bike lanes safe again!"

"Every car that blocks the bike lane puts cyclists at risk. There is no point to a bike lane if cyclists can’t use it!"

"I bike on Spruce and Pine everyday on my commute to center city. Every day a car is parked in the lane, and every time I'm forced out into the road creating an unsafe conflict for cyclists and other drivers.Philly has the tools to be a first class city for active transportation, but needs to take vision 0 and safety seriously."

"Bike lane parking (whether associated with a church or not) forces riders to merge into traffic which is often moving faster than us which is difficult and dangerous."

"A bike lane that allows parking is not a bike lane. Church parking is a ridiculous, outdated custom started to get buy in from congregations to install bike lanes in the first place. They are essentially nonexistent on the weekends, and cars remain in the lanes long long after any kind of church services might have ended. It’s 2024 - give cyclists our lanes."

"Please help keep us safe"

"Please help me and all Philly bicyclists arrive at our destinations safely. Thank you."

"Many bikers I struck by vehicles on a regular basis in Philadelphia because our infrastructure does not make it safe for them. Biking reduces pollution, and makes Philadelphia a much more accessible and safe place. We need more protection for bikers especially on the few bike Lanes we have allotted for them. We should have more bike lanes and entire streets made into pedestrian only lanes. We need to remove any parking permits in bike Lanes as it is very disruptive and makes for dangerous situations which cause more traffic."

"Please keep our streets safe for bikers."

"It's confusing to cyclists and drivers to change the rules about bike lanes. Please do not let cars park in them, period."

"Keep cars out of the city’s bike lanes please!"

"Please prioritize the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and all non-drivers."

"Stay out of the bike lane!!"

"The city needs to prioritize bike transportation. If we give up what little infrastructure there is to cars at the first request, we are demonstrating how little we care about bikes. If parking is this much of an issue, make parking mandatory for new builds in the city."

"Please enforce the idea that bicycles are vehicles, and bike traffic is real traffic! As a cyclist and bike commuter, I often have to swerve into dangerous car traffic all over the city when drivers treat bike lanes as though they don’t exist. Allowing permits for bike lane parking undermines respect and safe treatment of bike lanes by drivers."

"We use these bicycle lanes regularly, if not daily, and having the entirety of it blocked by cars is an obvious danger. It’s our only bit of safety from other drivers during the highly trafficked weekend."

"Make Philadelphia safer and easier to bike in! Cars have plenty of places to be, but yet there’s no respect for Philadelphia’s bikers! It’s a clean and safe way to transport people, and yet we’re making it difficult and dangerous to do so by prioritizing cars. Bike lanes should only be for bikes, and that rule should be upheld and enforced!"

"Every time a car is parked in a bike lane, the cyclist has to swerve into traffic to avoid it. This puts puts cyclists and other pedestrians at high risk. Bicycling, pedestrian, and public transportation infrastructure is paramount to countering numerous intersecting problems faced by most American cities and should be prioritized."

"The bikes must flow!"

"its time to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of this city's residents."

"Please keep our bike lanes clear & safe!"

"It’s absolutely ridiculous that we have to put our lives at stake so that people can use the most inefficient and wasteful form of transportation to go to their “religious gatherings.” Obviously these people don’t actually practice what they preach (or what is being preached) in their houses of worship. The irony of the situation is painful."

"Recently on a Wednesday am ride I found an entire block bike lane full of parked cars. 4th to fifth I remember, on Spruce. Mostly expensive models. I phoned 311 but was directed to call 911. A better reporting system needs implemented."

"As a resident of Lehigh Valley and a visitor of Philly, I hope to see this positive change. Be a positive role model for other Pennsylvania cities who are nascent biking cities. Send the message, "Bikes belong in bike lanes - not cars.""

"Every weekend I go on the bike path with my kid you put him at great risk. We have to go on the road for most of the way with other drivers trying to squeeze by us in a very aggressive way. No matter if it’s pine or spruce, both bike lanes are always full of cars. Please enforce the no parking, especially on the weekend when most families want to use the bike lanes !"

"Please choose humans over cars. Please advocate for bikers safety so that we can all get to our destination and back home to our families without harm."

"Completely unacceptable to see this STILL occurring."

"Do what's obviously right"

"People who choose to drive to church rather than using other forms of transportation should have to locate parking as one does for any other purpose or outing. Putting people’s lives at risk by forcing them out of the few dedicated bike lanes in Center City is not acceptable."

"The roads are only getting more dangerous for bikers. Keep things safe."

"What makes this worse is that churches also pay no taxes."

"As a resident and voter living on Pine Street without a car, the bike lane is a game changer that lets me get around the city. Allowing parking on the bike lane will not only kill the bike lane, but will inevitably kill another Philadelphian to traffic violence."

"The safety of all who travel on our streets needs to be provided for. When my mode of transportation is a bicycle, a legal vehicle, my safety is being forfeited for the convenience of motorists who park in the bike lane. I request that my safety be considered as important as anyone’s, no more, but no less."

"Even as an experienced cyclist I am frequently forced into dangerous situations by entitled religious groups parking in the bike lane. This is even riskier for families, casual & older riders who can't match speed with cars & merge into traffic. The city needs to end this practice now and take responsibility for safe streets."

"No special exemptions for bike lanes! Most people using the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine aren’t even parishioners."

"Biking is already risky and these permits only add to the chances that cyclists have to take each day."

"Cars in bike lanes make biking less safe! When more people bike, our city is safer and healthier!"

"It's absurd to have the meager portion of the road allotted for bicycle transport encroached upon on a revolving basis."

"While I do not live in Philly, I've been visiting family there all my life. I've recently started biking in the city and immediately noticed how it was impossible to use many of the bike lanes. You dangerously need to swerve in and out of them due to the excessive amount of cars parked in them making them not viable options for bikers whether they are commuting for work, delivering food, or simply riding around."

"Parking in the bike lanes creates a serious hazard not only for cyclists, but for pedestrians and other drivers. Often times I'll see official vehicles parked in these lanes as well, without any emergency lights or hazards indicating exception. Let's make Philly safer for all, please."

"Convenient, free parking should never be prioritized over the safety of vulnerable road users."

"I have always been a biker. I do not have a car and prefer this method of transportation. I’ve lived in Ann Arbor, DC, Denver and NYC and I have never felt unsafer biking than I do in Philly. It’s because of this city’s inability to provide more and SAFER alternatives to driving that these bike lanes are treated as accessories and citizens can’t use them properly. If you don’t respect bikers, then why should cars?"

"There are lots and street parking these people can utilize. Allowing Parking on one of the few bike lanes in this city putting citizens at unnecessary risk."

"This is an issue that affects many folks I know and myself! Please take action in the name of bike safety."

"The city needs to consider the safety of bicyclists. Not issuing these permits will be a step in the right direction. Bicyclists shouldn’t be paying with their safety so other don’t have to pay for parking"

"Bikes have just as much right to a safe space to get from point A to B. Not everyone has the money to own a car and biking may be our only option. Philly drivers are crazy as it is so having to swerve to avoid cars just adds another layer of danger. Let’s make it safe for everyone getting to their point B."

"This was always a dumb idea and it should end, especially because most of the cars parked in the bike lane are not used by people attending the churches."

"Please consider the safety and wellbeing of those who rely on bike lanes to travel throughout the city. Make sustainable transportation methods safe and desirable. Best, An inline skater"

"The bike lane is not a parking lot. Make it safer for bikers to ride without swerving into traffic."

"Streets are for people, not cars. We can have either bike lane parking, or Vision Zero, but we can't have both. I choose Vision Zero."

"PLEASE work with the houses of worship on alternatives. I can't tell you (I guess I am now) how unsafe I feel having to ride in traffic on Pine and Spruce during hours of worship.It is neither right, fair, safe, nor I dare say, Judeo Christian! Besides that the permits themselves are illegal (only for construction vehicles). Thank you."

"Additionally, could we get some actual enforcement of cars that are in the bike lane at any time for any reason? There are plenty of people ticketing cars for parking meters. It is arguably more dangerous form them to be stopped in bike lanes."

"My safety commuting on my bike shouldnt be compromised, simply because it inconveniences you to allow for it."

"I bike here. Cars being parked in these lanes and forcing me to swerve into traffic are literally life-threatening for me and thousands of other Philadelphians."

"As a native Philadelphian who uses a bike to get around the city all year long, at all times of day, I know that having unobstructed bike lanes is critical to keeping EVERYONE safe. Allowing drivers to take up dedicated bike lane space is illogical, unsafe, and discourages biking. Biking, for those who are able, can be a practical and healthy form of transportation in the city. It should be encouraged and protected by quality bike infrastructure. Blocked bike lanes make cyclists, particularly casual cyclists like myself, feel much less comfortable on the road. There are plenty of dedicated car spaces in this city, let's keep the far fewer bike-specific spaces car free."

"I don't bike myself but I have all the solidarity with those Philadelphians who do as a transit enthusiast. Improving bike (and other non-car) infrastructure and actively discouraging drivers from ruining the existing infrastructure will make people less afraid to walk and bike and help make Philadelphia a safer and more accessible city for everyone, including those who do still choose to drive."

"Parking in bike lanes is unsafe and leads to threats on bikers safety from aggressive drivers. Reducing these conflicts is key to ensuring safe passage of all road users."

"Clear the lanes!"

"This kind of exception is an embarrassment for our city and dismisses the safety of Philly's people."

"The spruce street bike lane is used by trucks and people to park, which defeats the purpose of having a bike lane"

"Bikers need better protections in this city"

"Please prioritize the safety of all road users over the convenience of a few."

"This is the bare minimum - bikers safety should take precedence over convenient parking"

"Parked cars in bike lanes are very dangerous!"

"Keep our streets safe!"

"Spruce St is one of the few relatively safe westbound streets in Philadelphia but parked cars in the bike lane defeats the entire purpose."

"As a personal note, I regularly use the Spruce and Pine bike lanes for commuting and leisure. They are a vital east-west connection in the Philly bike lane network. Weekend congregation parking in these lanes, from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, has put me into dangerous and unnecessary near-miss conflicts with motorists. Bring an end to bike lane parking permits, and protect Philadelphia's riders."

"It's time to set your priorities for Philadelphia. Are we going to value people who chose not to drive in our communities or are we going to value people who drive in from out of town?"

"These churches don't even pay taxes! The cyclists who need the lanes do!"

"These bike lanes of traffic are main thoroughfares though densely populated and high traffic volume parts of the city. To have these permits in place puts bikers in danger from impatient drivers, distracted drivers, and pedestrians crossing"

"As someone who was recently drawn to Philadelphia on the promise of our beautiful city to be a place I could navigate from outside the confines of a windshield, one of the greatest threats to that reputation and ideal are the routine abuses of the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine as parking for entitled drivers. And nothing is more frustrating is trying to navigate these lanes on a Sunday and being forced into car traffic because a few churches are able to skirt the rules that normally apply to everyone else, and don't care to have their congregants use one of the AMPLE parking lots and garages within the area. Please end this practice and strengthen the protections for the bike lanes to make Philadelphia a more healthy, green, and accessible city, on EVERY day of the week (including Sundays!)"

"Keep bicyclists safe!"

"Most people underestimate the danger that is created when a cyclist has to merge from a bike lane into vehicle traffic. "Just go around," they say. But blocked bike lanes are a major cause of conflict between bikes and cars. What we are talking about here is possible injury and even death vs convenient parking. This is not hyperbole and this shouldn't even be a debate. Please show us that you value our health and safety by withdrawing these permits."

"These bike lanes endanger the community!"

"A car swerved into the Spruce Street bike lane, hitting me. We need these lanes to have a physical barrier."

"EVERY TIME there are always cars parked in the bike lane. Cars on this road are driving fast. As a teenager, I am frightened to bike with the cars. There has been construction on this path which made commuting on it extremely difficult. This bike lane is dysfunctional with the amount and frequency cars are parked in it!!!!"

"I will not rest until OTIS makes a public apology and rectifies this blight on our city."

"It’s a no-brainer. Get the cars and the Sunday religious folk out of the bike lanes."

"Bike lanes are for bikes, not cars. Obstructing them for any reason is unsafe and unacceptable. We wouldn't accept people parking in car travel lanes, so why does the city accept it for bike lanes? Let's do the right thing and stop bike lane parking."

"The permits currently given to the Spruce/Pine congregations are illegal, dangerous, and short-sighted. They offer a minor convenience to the congregations at the cost of cyclist safety, an unacceptable trade-off. A city that wants to be taken seriously on the global stage should not be bending permitting rules for anyone's convenience, especially not when there is a life safety cost to doing so."

"Allowing parking in bike lanes endangers lives by pushing cyclists either into traffic, or illegally on to sidewalks where they out pedestrians in danger. Something must be done now, not later."

"More safe bike lanes less car parking!"

"The current situation for these bike lanes is unsafe and unethical!"

"What is a bike lane if you allow cars to park in it? I am exhausted by constantly being almost hit by moving cars when I am navigating around other cars parked in what is supposed to be a safe corridor for cyclists."

"Cars parked in bike lanes cause bikers to have to enter traffic lanes, putting them in preventable danger. Please stop cars from parking in bike lanes, and make our bike lanes safer!"

"I ride to and from work on pine and spruce. People are extremely rude when I tell them politely that they are not allowed to stop in the bike lane. Revoke the permits!!!"

"Every day is a life risking situation using this bike lane!"

"Parking unbased Bikes based"

"I use these bike lanes everytime I travel into Center City. They are crucial thoroughfares for cyclists. It's time to stop the chaos in the bike lanes. Churchgoers, and all that park in the bike lanes are disrupting traffic flow and endanger cyclists. It's simple, ban parking in bike lanes to keep everyone safe."

"Allowing parking in bike lanes shows the city does not care at all about the safety of cyclists."

"Allowing parking in bike lanes is asinine."

"Safety> parking"

"I am a member of a church that also meets in Center City. Our church could do the same thing and ask the city to give our parishioners permission to park in what would otherwise by illegal parking spots. However, that seems immoral not just from the perspective of the law but more importantly, as an act that knowingly endangers other human beings. If these religious organizations truly believe human life is precious, it's incomprehensible for them to ask the city for allow parking in the bike lane simply for the sake of convenience. I urge you to withdraw the permits that allows illegal parking that puts people on bicycles at risk. Sincerely, Peter Kim"

"I ride these bike lanes frequently from Old City to Rittenhouse. Yes, I own a car, but I only use it when leaving the city. There is something special about walking and biking around the city that isn’t experienced when doing so by car. Turn the existing bike lanes into raised, curb protected bike lanes that can’t be used for parking. It’s critical that we offer safe grade separated bike lanes so more people feel safe biking in this city."

"Sundays are for bike riders too!"

"Please protect lives by keeping bike lanes clear!"

"Allowing parking on the bike lanes on Sundays sends a message to drivers that it is ok to park in the lane any day. These lanes are essential east/west lines and cannot be allowed to become parking."

"What is the point of having the bike lane if you are gonna let people park in it? I would feel way better about using this bike lane if I knew I didn't have to leave it to get around parked cars."

"No parking in bike lanes!"

"Although I don't bike in the city myself (for this very reason!!!), it's deeply upsetting to know how many bikers have already been hurt, killed, or experienced near-misses while traveling through designated bike lanes, just for some driver's parking convenience. This kind of issue is UNTHINKABLE in countless other big metro areas across the country and across the world, those which already have protections vital for biker safety, so it's long past time for Philly to catch up. As so many other commenters have already put it: how many more have to die before this whole practice is ended for good?"

"I ride on these bike lanes every day, as my commute to work and on weekends to access Center City and the Delaware River Trail, and it feels dangerous riding into the street with traffic to get around cars which are parked in the bike lane"

"Our city should not be giving differing treatment to certain entities based on their religious activities. Places of worship face similar parking challenges to thousands of residents and businesses in the city that all must find means to park outside of bike lanes. Why do four religious institutions receive special treatment?"

"Bike lanes in Center City are too few as is. Please protect those that exist by not allowing illegal parking in them."

"Philadelphians have the right to ride a bike safely no matter what day of the week it is. Please repeal these illegal permits than infringe on the rights of everyone else for the convenience of some."

"Bike lanes are important infrastructure to keep Philadelphia cyclists safe, and meet our city's Vision Zero goals. Allowing car licenses to park in bike lanes endangers cyclists and send the message to drivers that parking in bike lanes is acceptable, which causes cars to clog bike lanes in other parts of the city."

"These permits are putting the convenience of some over the safety of others. You have the power to change that; please do."

"Dear OTIS; Giving religious exemptions to park illegally is a travesty of the first amendment. While I'm sure you're getting plenty of messages about safety, this is a constitutional issue. This is a government endorsement of religion, and it infringes upon my rights. Sincerely, Martin Willard"

"Bikers deserve safety"

"The bike lanes are supposed to be for our safety. The only time I can use them (the weekend) also happens to be when they are completely blocked off by cars. Help prevent someone from loosing their life and change this."

"I have almost been severely injured biking on this street because of the cars parked in the bike lane. Last year, my wife, a nurse who has worked during COVID and given so much to this city, was hit while in the bike lane coming back from her shift at the hospital on the Pine Street bike lane. It is time the city builds common bike infrastructure and eliminating the parking by vehicles and church-goers."

"These bike lane parking permits force me and other cyclists out into dangerous traffic while biking on weekends. The extreme convenience of some church goers should not supersede the safety of others. If we do not give permits for church goers to park in an entire travel lane for cars - the same should be true for cyclists."

"Parking in the bike lanes is a safety issue and should be illegal as it is in every other circumstance!"

"Parking in bike lanes makes it literally impossible to safely bike. The hazards of being forced to merge into traffic at a moments notice, WITHOUT time to look for cars or signal to rivers, can literally be LIFE THREATENING. Please make biking more safe for all Philadelphians!!"

"It would be unthinkable if the sidewalks were allowed to be blocked for this purpose, forcing pedestrians into the street, so why is it acceptable for the bike lane?"

"My 2.5 year old daughter and I exclusively ride on my bike (we do not own a car and my husband also rides his bike) and it is very dangerous for us to get around the city on safe bike infrastructure because we don't have this infrastructure consistently due to this outdated practice. We do not allow cars on the sidewalks why do we allow parked cars in the bike lane? Especially when there are many ways to get to these congregations without the use of personal vehicles. Pretend it's a city. This is unacceptable."

"Bike commuter. Typically I don’t use the bike lane because I don’t want to inevitably have to dip into traffic when I see it being blocked. Thanks for all you do."

"These cars are nothing but a safety hazard to bikers, forcing us to weave in and out of traffic without warning. With aggressive drivers on the Philly streets, the need for separate bike lanes is more important than ever."

"This benefits both vehicle users and bicyclists alike. Bike lanes both improve mobility for those on bikes (added safety promotes use) and for those who prefer vehicles (a cyclist removes an uber/additional car from the road/parking spaces). No one is entitled to a guaranteed spot in a city. Circle the blocks or park in a lot. If distance is a problem for disabled folks, add handicapped spaces. No brainer."

"Prioritize the safely of vulnerable road users, not the convenience of drivers."

"Make bike lanes safe for bikes!!!"

"This practice is nonsense."

"Please remove these ridiculous parking permits, they hinder the safe passage of bicycle traffic down the streets. In addition, the bike lanes should be permanently seperated from car traffic."

"The bike lane should be reserved for its intended purpose. There are plenty of parking lots with availability on the weekends. People take advantage of the loophole and it contributes to the sense of vehicular lawlessness in the city."

"It would be great to be able to ride safely down Spruce and Pine without having to dodge into car traffic. Let’s make it a reality"

"please pass legislation that is pro bike! i've been hit by a car and we desperately need to protect bikers over cars."

"Protect our bikers and pedestrians."

"This city would be so much safer if we didn’t prioritize cars over people"

"Cars parked here force cyclists into traffic and dangerous situations. The city already struggles to provide a modicum of safe bike routes across the city. Turning these few corridors into parking is detrimental to safety. Further, discouraging alternative forms of transportation by making them more dangerous and inconvenient will actually worsen parking and congestion in the city as more people resort to cars. Because of this, this policy exacerbates the problem it's trying to solve."

"Philadelphians deserve the ability to bike safely in the city at all times."

"Obstruction of bike lanes is out of control, PPA doesn’t patrol on Sundays so most bike lanes become a free for all. I don’t think it is unreasonable for worshippers to find close parking rather than allowing them to create an unsafe environment for cyclists."

"I've almost died in these streets due to the bike lanes being full of parked cars. Shorter walks to church for some residents should not outweigh the lives and health of others."

"Let’s prioritize safety together!"

"I bike all the time to get to work, to shop, to get to appointments on time. I want safe infrastructure!"

"I often use Spruce and Pine to ride and it is unsafe to navigate around the cars"

"NO PARKING IN THE BIKE LANES!!!!!!!!"

"You wouldn't allow permits to park bikes in car lanes... Everyone is entitled to safe use of city streets."

"Spruce and Pine should be two of the safest streets to bike on, but the bike lanes are constantly blocked."

"Do the right thing, by Philadelphia and its bikers. Philadelphia only stands to gain by withdrawing these ridiculous, dangerous permits."

"It is ludicrous to expect a cyclist in a bike lane to safely yield, check behind, and merge between a bicycle lane and main road where people often speed and rarely look for cyclists. Bicycles lack the stopping power of a car and are more susceptible to obstacles on a road. A large pot hole could send a cyclist flying off the bike and into traffic if they cannot effectively navigate within bike lane. Drivers are often unaware of the law. I jog this road often and witness drivers pulling in front of cyclists, not watching when cyclist has to move into driving lane due to parking, etc. Why have a bike lane that does nothing? I never bike to commute because I know there will be uneducated, non-law abiding drivers and apparently legally cars parked due to the city staff’s ignorance. Go ride 10 mi around this city in “bike lanes” and start a count of how many times a person is put at high risk of death due to negligence of others and our poor infrastructure. I remind you again (along with several officers who incorrectly said otherwise): it is illegal in Philadelphia to cycle on the side walk if you are under 13 years of age so no this is not an option. In PA overall it is illegal within business districts with official traffic control devices as an exception; this is moot if a bike lane is adjacently present. If you want sustainable methods of transport, act like it or stop wasting our city's money. We have enough issues without local government making things worse from ideally ignorance but more likely greed and selfishness. Will you prioritize the actual denizens of your city? I.e. will you make this a city worth staying in by listening to actual residents or is it time to look/vote elsewhere for a truly better future? https://311.phila.gov/s/article/Is-it-illegal-to-ride-a-bicycle-on-the-sidewalk-1400584967467 https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=35"

"Do the right thing and prioritize the health and safety of thousands over inconveniencing a small handful of people."

"I bike on pine street multiple times a week. In the past year, too many friends have been killed or seriously injured while biking in Philadelphia where they lacked a bike lane and were forced into traffic. The pine street bike lane is a good step toward safer conditions for cyclists, but it must be TRULY AVAILABLE for use to actually improve safety. Please ensure that for the bike lanes that do exist in this city, they actually be reserved for their intended purpose."

"Time to end this"

"These lanes make it unsafe to ride a bicycle on the weekends in Center City, making it more likely for my husband to insist we take an Uber instead, which also harms the city's environmental goals while also increasing traffic."

"Jesus would want us to have safer bike lanes إن شاء الله😇💪"

"Tax the church"

"Completely unnecessary and objectively dangerous."

"Bike lanes belong to bikes. Everybody has the right to move around the city safely. Philadelphia is full of empty car parkings. These individuals can park their cars their."

"This practice is illegal and unsafe. There is no justification for it."

"I've always wondered why those people were parking in a lane of traffic. And now that I've learned that it's for organizations that could easily organize shuttles, or even just carpools for mobility challenged congregants, frankly I'm furious."

"I try to use roads with bike lanes as much as possible because they are safer. Forcing bikers into busy lanes to accommodate parked cars is not the right direction for this city."

"Bike lanes should not be parked in period. You wouldn’t sell permits for people to park in regular traffic lanes, that would just be a parking spot. Taking away bike lanes in this manner forces riders to merge dangerously back into traffic or they ride on the sidewalks which are safer for them but dangerous to pedestrians."

"As a cyclist, parking in the bike lane puts both cyclists and cars at risk as many drivers make unsafe decisions when faced with a slower bike in the road."

"It's completely absurd. End it."

"Please keep Bike lanes only for bikes. There's PLENTY of parking garages out of towners can use to better patronize philly"

"It’s time for bike lanes to protect bicyclists as they were intended to do, 7 days a week. There are many alternatives for congregations with drivers and 10 years has been more than enough time for them to adapt to and embrace these safer alternatives."

"In addition, whatever “permit” that exists to allow people to park in the right traffic lane on Lombard St between 3rd and 6th Sts on Sundays should also be removed. It is extremely dangerous and has nearly caused many accidents with drivers not realizing what is an active lane of traffic for the 6 other days out of the week suddenly houses parked cars with out of state plates. You are not serving the community that actually lives in these neighborhoods by allowing this hazard to continue."

"Prioritizing private religious groups and providing them special consideration for parking above the interests of safety, sustainability, and public access is morally repugnant."

"Blocked bike lanes make it incredibly dangerous for cyclists because we have to maneuver back and forth to a car lane. Bike lanes should be for bikes."

"Congregations are supposed to help people and save souls not endanger them. If they truly believe in their missions they cannot keep creating unsafe environment for others."

"Withoutm bike lane I don't know how bikers would get around even with a bike lane people still drive in the bike lane make it hard for any biker"

"Bike lanes are for bikes and not cars!"

"This practice creates dangerous situations, and when in the best of times, is flagrantly not followed. I have never seen a permit on the dashboard, and vehicles are frequently parked until 8pm or later. It is abused by neighborhood residents who simply want to park closer to their house without repercussions."

"I would like to not risk death for the convenience of others."

"People over property."

"I use these bike lanes every day and have had multiple close calls and near collisions because of being forced into car traffic by cars parked in these lanes."

"For the respect and safety of cyclists in our city, please don’t allow cars (which are already privileged and protected on the roads enough) to take up more space. Both of my brothers and my boyfriend have had their fair share of bike incidents at the hands of cars and I would love to see our city create a safer environment for them and leave their bike lanes safe and untouched by cars."

"Please stop issuing these illegal permits and putting cyclists’ lives in danger."

"Bike lanes need to be protected and reserved for bikes, always. This is such an unsafe practice."

"The Spruce and Pine bike lanes are one of the few safe ways to cross from the east side of central Philadelphia to the west side. Making them impossible to use on weekends makes it hard for bike commuters to make it to the SRT or the Delaware River trail safely, let alone businesses that reside along these roads. Although religious services do not last all day parking in the lanes is continuous throughout the weekend. This NEEDS to end."

"The safety of ALL people in our city who use the bike lane should take precedence over a few parking spots."

"A bike lane with cars intermittently spread across it is far more dangerous than not having a bike lane at all. My girlfriend and I have both almost been seriously injured due to people (legally) using these bike lanes as parking."

"As someone that comes to the city with my bike regularly from the suburbs I expect to be able to use the bike infrastructure, but it is all too common that I routinely need to leave the bike lane to avoid a car parked in it, mixing it up with distracted drivers in the road. This is dangerous to cyclists and must stop."

"There are way too many illegal parkers in the bike lanes without authorizing people to do so."

"If cars park in bike lanes then cyclists will die, cars are death machines. If a car hits a cyclist the car is fine and cyclists means of moving around the world is destroyed, and they may be permanently injured or die. We must have protected safe places for cyclists. It is the right thing to do. Do you want murder on your conscious?"

"Please protect the lives of cyclists and other non-car movers by removing the parking lane permits of the religious congregations."

"Let’s make biking in the city safer. Please."

"The easier it is to bike around the city, the less cars there will be on the roads!!"

"Prioritize bikes over cars!"

"I have been hurt because of people parking in bike lanes. Others have died because of cars and bike lane infrastructure prevents these deaths."

"This unsafe practice has gone on long enough."

"Make these streets safe for cyclists and pedestrians!"

"There’s a way to make it easier for congregants to worship and keep our bike lanes clear and safe for commuters. Let’s work together to find a solution!"

"Using bike lanes as extra parking is dangerous"

"When city officials give special groups permission to break the law that is corruption, plain and simple. I’m signing to end this unsafe corruptions"

"Biking is our main form of transport and with 2 under 10 we use a cargo bike. The weekends are so dangerous with the parking in the bike lanes it’s gotten scary to even get around our neighborhood. Please do away with this immediately! How many Philadelphians need to die before this is taken seriously!!"

"Bike lanes are for bikes. Being forced to swerve into the car lane is very dangerous to people cycling. Other parking options exist for the congregants."

"i use the S"

"Please stop this dangerous practice."

"Please stop allowing cars to park in the bike lanes. We need safe routes to bike with kids on the weekend - and always!"

"Give us our bike lane back and stop putting us in danger"

"Protect cyclists! Make Philly a truly great city to get around; not one in which we are forced to drive to be safe"

"This church parking lasts all day and into the evening even when no services are being held. People just take advantage of it, and there seems to be no enforcement after services end."

"Consider all the children and elderly that depend on these bike lane as the safest available route across the city"

"Car drivers have proven that they are not able to be trusted not to park in a bike lane. Put up bollards and curbs. Cars should not be able to enter the bike lane"

"Also remove the 20 minute rule - reduce it to 5 or less!"

"It’s not a bike lane if cars can park in it."

"I bike along Spruce and Pine Streets, and I see many others bike along these routes. When there aren't cars parked in the bike lanes, they're fantastic. However, I've personally been almost hit by aggressive drivers when trying to get across town on a Sunday morning when the cars were blocking the bike lane."

"Humans over cars, please! :)"

"It is ludicrous that we allow our bike lanes to be taken over for free parking for mostly non-residents, at least half of whom have New Jersey and Delaware plates, on the weekends when the families who actually live here would like to ride their bikes."

"This is an outrageous hindrance to the daily life of city residents and needlessly puts people in danger. Cars linger long after services are over. These congregations are among the wealthiest in the city, their members can afford to park at any nearby garage or lot. Perhaps church and synagogue leaders should advocate for improved public transit on the weekends."

"It makes it extremely dangerous for me to ride to and from work when the bike lane is obstructed. I cannot walk to work as I am pregnant and it takes me too long now but there are also no good bus routes so I have to bike to get to work. I do not feel safe biking in the street with angry drivers"

"I’d love to see a crack down on double parking in the bike lane. These lanes need to be fully protected from the motor vehicle lane."

"Where Would Jesus Park?"

"I bike the Pine and Spruce bike lanes at least six times a week. I feel my life is just as valuable as a free parking spot. It’s not a bike lane if people are allowed to park in it."

"If Philadelphia wants to be taken seriously as caring about wellness / sustainability / green transportation, then the bike lanes shouldn't be "optional" to adhere to. Thanks!"

"This is absurd and speaks volumes of how little Philly cares about traffic safety. Cars do not belong in the bike lane!"

"Bike lanes save lives - bike lane parking permits say that these lives are less important than convenient car storage."

"This backwards culture where we put cars above of all has got to STOP! Way too much space is ALREADY taken up by cars. There is no valid reason to also permit them to take up our limited bike lanes! SAD we have to fight for our basic right to SAFELY exist outside of a car whether it’s on bike, foot, scooter, wheelchair, etc."

"What’s the point of bike lanes if cars can block them! Cyclists need safe thoroughfares. Cars in bike paths equal less safe and more dangerous cycling and result in fewer cycling and more air pollution!"

"Upholding these permits is a risk to human life. The law is the law and city officials need to start taking our safety much more seriously."

"I've been calling the PPA about the dangers of cars parked in the bike lane on Spruce for months now. I did not realize they were being issued permits to do so. This is beyond ridiculous and it puts lives at risk. We already don't have enough safe places to ride our bikes, as our bike lanes are not protected like they are in other countries/cities. The fact that we issue permits to park in bike lanes is frustratingly absurd. Things like this push me closer and closer to leaving the U.S completely. I feel that anywhere I move in the U.S., I always have to fight for basic rights like safe infrastructure. I'm just tired of it."

"While it may not seem like much trouble, allowing this bike lane parking to continue perpetuates the thought/mentality that bicycle infrastructure is not really worth protecting. It allows drivers to continue to disregard cyclists and puts us at major risk. Cycle should be safe and accessible to all. Motorists should realize that every bike in the road is one less car they have to compete with for traffic/ parking."

"Jesus would have said "don't park in the effin bike lane!""

"Please do the moral thing!"

"Every weekend the bike lanes are filled with cars. Why is this allowed? How does this support Vision Zero? Why are places of worship given special privileges?"

"It's time. The safety of cyclists must finally take precedence over unnecessary parking."

"I am regularly biking in this area on the weekends and have witnessed near-death experiences due to drivers being impatient and hostile towards cyclists forced to ride in the center lane. By withdrawing these permits and keeping bike lanes open for cyclists, we will reduce problematic car/bike interactions, making both the cycling and driving experience more pleasant for everyone."

"I work in the area and clear bike lanes keep me safe and sane."

"Having to weave in and out of the bike lanes last year caused me to be clipped by a turning driver. Parking in bike lanes is unsafe."

"This is one of many unsafe spots and I don’t appreciate the fact that the people taking the spots don’t seem to be aware they using a commuting pathway. I’ve almost been doored and then into road traffic to avoid. I can’t stand the unawareness in Philly. I left town and still do not bike out of general fear after moving. I feel bike lanes in the US are unsafe, mostly because you are vulnerable and scary to trust that all the traffic knows the lanes exist."

"Insane that has to be said"

"I crashed my bike going around a car parked outside a church on 18th and Spruce and nearly ended up under a car. I haven't biked to work since because I don't want to risk my life. When there are cars in the bike lane, it is NOT a bike lane!"

"As a bike commuter with a freelance career, I mostly work on the weekends and ride my bike along these streets. I always have a violin on my back along with other valuable belongings (other than my life). It is frustrating to see the one truly safe space that we bikers have being taken up by folks who are abusing the permit system. I would hope that the city cares about the lives, livelihoods, and the protection of our environment, fighting car pollution, and creating safe spaces for all."

"Road safety is important"

"Every time a car is parked in a bike lane, a cyclist has to swerve into traffic, risking their lives"

"People rely on these bike lanes to travel through our city safely. People will only use bikes, which reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, if they feel safe. It is ignorant and inconsiderate to allow cars to park in one of the very few protected bike lanes in the whole city."

"Don’t force vulnerable road users into car traffic."

"Make Philadelphia bike lanes safe for cyclists!"

"Please end this dangerous practice. If you want Philadelphia to be “clean and green” and get more people to use alternatives to cars, we need to make biking safer for everyone."

"A bike lane that allows cars is not a bike lane. I urge you to fully committ to the infrastructure already in place."

"I use these bike lanes daily and they are dangerously blocked regularly. Please withdraw the questionable permits and keep the bike lanes clear. Thank you."

"Please make the churchgoers do the Christian thing and love thy [bike-riding] neighbor!"

"Find a closer church you don’t have to drive to!"

"Bike lanes are for bikes!"

"This is so very unsafe for cyclists! Please withdraw these permits, cars can park elsewhere."

"I use these lanes all the time and all the time they are full of cars, putting me and many other Philadelphians uneccessarily in the way of harm. Stop enabling this behavior please."

"Prioritize human safety over parking! Now!"

"It's a "bike lane" not a "sometimes bike lane sometimes parking for Jesus lane.""

"Bike lanes =/= parking spots!"

"The fact that there are already so little space dedicated to bikes in this city, and then religious orgs get to take it away every Sunday? Is absolutely absurd! Why should religious organizations get to be above the law??"

"Some of us actually work and bike commute on Saturday & Sunday, but we all deserve safer streets regardless!"

"I often commute home from my healthcare job using these bike lanes and often find them obstructed by cars, which forces me into the more dangerous traffic lane. As someone who rehabs individuals who have been hit by motovehicles, I do not want to see this happen anymore, and believe that doing away with bike lane parking permits is a reasonable way to decrease traffic accidents."

"The convenience of a few religious people should not outweigh anyone's physical safety."

"My grandson bikes to work daily and I worry about him being hit on the dangerous streets. Bike lanes should be for BIKES. Not cars, churchgoers should have to follow the same rules as anyone else and either use public transportation, or park in garages to attend services."

"Please help keep my son, Chris and daughter-in-law, Katy and our precious grandchildren safe while using these designated bike lane areas."

"Blocked bicycle lanes create dangerous and chaotic conditions for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians alike. Please follow through on Philadelphia’s commitment to Vision Zero and “clean and green” by revoking these permits and eliminating this illegal practice as a whole."

"The safety of everyone on the road depends on this! It is not safe for someone on a bike to have to weave back into moving traffic!"

"Please end the practice of allowing parking in bike lanes. It’s is illegal and dangerous"

"I bike on Spruce and Pine almost every weekend. Vehicles in the bike lane is dangerous for all road users, and very confusing for drivers. Please fix it!"

"Let's make 'cleaner greener Philly' a reality and take our Vision Zero goals seriously. Time to stop being stuck in the past."

"Convenience for drivers should never come at the cost of the safety of others."

"Current conditions make it less safe for bikers, pedestrians, and drivers"

"Spruce and Pine are such lovely connectors to the Schuylkill River Trail and Delaware River Trail but they are constantly full of cars, particularly on the weekends. It causes unsafe conditions for cyclists constantly, and it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt. These permits should have been withdrawn years ago. There is no better time now than to rectify that. There are plenty of other solutions that don't put cyclists' lives in danger."

"The presence of vehicles in the bike lane at any time is disruptive and dangerous. It is not acceptable to put the lives of cyclists at risk for the sake of convenient parking. The city must stop endorsing such irresponsible behavior. I respectfully ask OTIS to prioritize the revocation of any and all bike lane parking permits."

"The reality is very simple. These are travel lanes for people in the city of Philadelphia dangerously blocked not out of any necessity but for the convenience of a few who's needs can be adequately met elsewhere. It creates a completely unnecessary friction between road users. There is no justifiable reason to force bike lane users into car travel lanes for this purpose."

"I use these bike lanes regularly and parked cars and trucks make an otherwise pleasant commute into a hazardous headache."

"I am a carless Philadelphia who relies on their feet, bike, and transit to get around. I use Spruce and Pine on the weekends to connect to the river trails, but also during the week when I need to get to appointments in Center City. Each time I do, there are cars parked in the bike lane and I find myself having to weave into traffic continuously on these two streets. It is unsafe, stressful, and unwelcoming, even to experienced bikers, to say nothing of how it discourages use in those with less experience. The continued practice of allowing cars to illegally park in the bike lane makes me feel like the city does not value my needs. I am asking OTIS to end the practice of approving the illegal permits and assist the congregations with finding parking alternatives."

"I bike on the weekend all the time. The vehicles parked in the bike lane are both incredibly dangerous and disrespectful. I choose to live in the city and support my community. I pay massive amounts of money every year in local taxes and when I have to swerve in and out of traffic three times on every block to accommodate the needs of someone that chose to drive into center city and store their car in the bike lane it makes me feel like the city doesn’t value me at all. Particularly when the arena discussion has shown there’s thousands of empty garage parking spots in the area."

"For over 10 years, biking Philadelphians have been asking for congregations to not park in the bike lane. This practice puts the burden of safety on our most vulnerable street users. It is time for change."

"It is long past time to withdraw these permits and allow safe passage for _all_ traffic on Spruce and Pine regardless of time of day."