Philadelphia Begins to Enforce Bike Laws, Bikers Complain

When it comes to the topic of people riding a mode of transportation that's marginalized and demonized and virtually criminalized, skateboarders have everyone else beat. An otherwise legal activity, skateboarders have been forced to skirt around unfair laws and deal with legislation that, in the end, harm a large number of people who would otherwise use it both for fun and as a mode of transportation.

So when I heard new bike laws were going into effect, I was thrilled!

During the least year, we've seen the number of cyclists climb a lot. This is due to both high gas prices and people, on a whole, ditching both cars and SEPTA in favor of riding a bike. It's estimated that around 10,000 people ride their bikes in Philadelphia to get to and from work, an astounding and wonderful number!

But, like any mode of transportation with a large number of people using it, there are problems and, in turn, laws.

So lets have a run down of what's going on:

1. The Law as it currently exists

Philadelphia already has multiple bike laws to help curve dangerous behavior, as well as fines. Here's the short list:

Vehicle Code Violations:
3112-A-3i- Disregard Traffic Signal ($119.50)
3112-A-3ii- Turn on Red, Fail to Stop/Yield Pedestrian/Traffic ($119.50)
3308-B- Wrong Way 1-Way ($119.50)
3323-B- Disregard Stop Sign ($119.50)
3323-C- Disregard Yield Sign ($119.50)
3345-A- Improper Passing of a School Bus ($364.50)
3542-A- Failure to Yield to Pedestrian in crosswalk court ($119.50)
3711-A- Clinging to a Moving Vehicle ($119.50)
3714- Careless Driving ($119.50)
3736-A- Reckless Driving ($294.50)

Philadelphia Traffic Ordinances:
12-808 Riding a Bicycle on a Sidewalk ($54.00)

On a whole, the idea is actually fairly simple: A bike in Philadelphia is treated nearly like a car. And, as both a skateboarder and a cyclist, I actually agree with this.



2. Why Bikes are Like Cars

For starters, bikes can go really fast, around 20 mph. On a sidewalk in Center city with quiet wheels, its a problem. They're also capable of doing a lot of damage to a pedestrian, as two Philadelphian's were struck and killed by cyclists in the past month.

In contrast, a skateboard tends to be a little safer. For starters, you can hear them. Its hard to miss a skateboard. Its also a lot harder to not get hit by a car on a skateboard. Same with roller blades and scooters. On a whole, these are a separate class of vehicle.


3. Who This Is Targeted To

If you already are a kind and courteous cyclists, you have nothing to worry about. In fact, only a small handful of people really need to cut their behavior.


4. The Reaction

The reaction to this has been priceless.

For starters, you have the people who are angry at the fact that they are going to enforce the law. Seriously. One example:

A potential safety hazard is in no way comparable to the dangerous crimes that are committed every day in our city’s least patrolled neighborhoods. A lot of the “Don’t Snitch” mentality arises from the fact that residents of these crime ridden neighborhoods feel completely unsafe and ignored due to the lack of police presence. - posted by mmmmokay

So, let's get this straight: A potential safety hazard isn't cause for alarm? L&I shouldn't condemn hazardous buildings, the police shouldn't stop someone driving like a maniac, and that actually enforcing a law on the books is a BAD idea?

Then you have the people who are upset that people lump cyclists all in one group. To their credit, they make a valid point. Not all cyclists are inconsiderate jerks who run red lights and ride on the sidewalk. In fact, a large number of cyclists are actually law-abiding folks who just want to get from Point A to Point B. No, this enforcement is only for the jerks who actually do break the law.

But the best part of all the reactions? The closet racism I've discovered from cyclists!

A photo popped up of someone getting a ticket for breaking the new bike laws and was posted on Philebrity. The comments are priceless:

What a great frickin’ use of city resources…using the cops to stop and ticket all the Center City kitchen help riding in from South and North Philly. -chuck63

great job philadelphia. does it make you proud that he won’t be able to make rent now? kitchen staff don’t make 100k a year ya know. -lightonfire

As they seem to enjoy saying there, "Stay Classy, Philadelphia!"

5. The Bike Coalition Needed This to Happen to Them

Again, I'm saying this as a skateboarder.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (BCGP)has a ton of sway in Philadelphia. They have advocated for cyclists in Philadelphia for years to promote a healthy life style and a cleaner and greener world, and I'm totally in favor of that. I love cycling myself, and I still fondly remember the days of my youth where I did bike everywhere.

But as you may recall, I wrote back in June that cyclists get away with breaking the law a LOT in this city, and the selective enforcement of the laws concerning both cyclists AND skateboarders was basically discrimination. Is it a little hypocritical to trumpet seeing these laws enforced for cyclists while I, as a boarder, has once said these things. To a degree, yes. But skateboarders don't have an advocate or protection.

Cyclists in Philadelphia have had the BCGP to help them, and in turn, things have been good for them. They've gotten more respect than non-motorist in this city and have gotten most of what they wanted (new bikes lanes and more bike racks). Is this taking them down a peg? Yes and no. They're still a good group in and of themselves, and their cause is good, but the fact that they are now advocating falling the law to a large degree... well, I'm glad to see it.

Especially since they oppose the new laws enforcing tougher fines of those breaking the law and making people register their bikes and get license plates. Its unlikely they'll get their will.

6. Aftermath

Will the enforcement of these new laws stop the need for new laws and fines to go into place? I do, to a large degree, hope it does.

I'm all for tougher fines for the laws in place, but the bike registration idea has me a bit on edge. If we can avoid that but making sure that all cyclists in Philly simply follow the law and are more courteous, that's the best possible sollution. People think laws exist only to stop behaviors or to surpress freedoms. In the end, a law is only needed when we, as a society, choose to put otherwise acceptable behavior as a norm when its dangerous and harmful to others. If we all treat others with respect, we won't need them.