PSICYCLECRAM GS FALL 1988 Quarterly Newsletter - Adopt An Agency ‘What bugs you about biking in Philly? Per- vasive potholes? Menacing grates and broken glass? Bridge signs saying "No Bicycles Al- lowed"? Disrespectful automobile drivers? Whatever it is, you can do something con- structive about it by becoming part of the co- alition’s new “Adopt-an-Agency" program, You simply pick your pet peeve and take a vested interest in an agency, governing body, elected official, or piece of legislature that can have some positive impact on improving Bicycling. Attend meetings and ‘hearings open to the public. Introduce yourself to the employees, members, and/or Key figures. All groups will have pro-bicycle folks--you just have to find them. ‘The best way 10 get to know your adopted agency is to adopt it before a major problem atises, For example, having an argument. with a police officer over a traffic law is a lost cause on the streets. It also burns bridges you might later want to cross. We all know hat persuasive arguments are better re- ceived before the battle lines are drawn. Highway projects are famous for not ad- dressing the needs of bicyclists. Bicyclists usually” discover problem areas only after the project has been started--if not complet- ed--when it is usually too late to do anything about it, So let's adopt PennDOT. DOTS are often amenable 10 accomodating bicyclists-- if they are notified early enough in the de- sign process, The Fairmount Park Commission recently proposed a ban on all bicycling within the park. If the commission had been adopted, ‘the proposal never would have been pro- posed, let alone been advanced to within hours of passage. BICYCLE COALITION of the DELAWARE VALLEY Okay. You get the point. A stitch in time saves nine, Better-biking ideas have a better chance of becoming reality when we're work- ing with educated allies , and when we've ed- ucated ourselves on the inner-workings of an agency, governing body, or piece of legis- lation. ‘The coalition "Adopt-an-Agency" program will support you with tactical advice, techni- cal information, references, etc. BCDV needs you 10 make an adoption. Call (215)BICYCLE today and let us know which agency you wish to adopt. by Gihon Jordan A Bottle Bill for Philadelphia? ‘A beverage bottle deposit ordinance, Bill No. 177,-is before the Licenses and Inspection Committee of City Council. Passage of the bill (which requires most disposable bottles to be replaced with retumable ones) would mean reduced litter--specifically, bottles and broken glass--in the city and surround- ing counties, which, in tum would mean few- er flat tires and safer bicycling. It would also create jobs and reduce the costs of solid waste disposal. Drop & post card to the com- mitte members (Lucien Blackwell, George Burrell, Augusta Clark, David Cohen, Thatch- et Longtreth, Angel Ortiz, Marion Tasco, and James Tayoun) at City Hall, Phila. PA 19107 to let them know you are in favor of the bill, Bicyclist is Killed Bicyclist Steve Bauer was killed by an al- leged drunk and speeding driver on Kelly Drive September 20th, at 7:00 pm. The driver was caught when he subsequently crashed in Brewery Town and was charged with homo-cide by automobile. There have been reports that the Philadelphia Police Department and Park Commission met to consider banning bikes from Kelly Drive and West River Drive Steve Bauer was not violating any laws and was well within his rights to ride om the road. The poor enforcement of laws against drunk and speeding drivers seems to have contribut- ed to this tragic incident and points out the necessity for the bicycle coalition to remain active in protecting cyclists’ rights. The Phil- adelphia Police, Park Commission, and Redar ‘are perfect candidates for the new “Adopt-an-Agency" program. It’s time to channel our shock and outrage into productive directions. Join other coalition members at the October 10th meeting to dis- cuss how we can make a difference. Red Light Alert On April 1, 1988, Steve Smith (not his real name) was pulled over for running a red light on his bicycle. He knew he was in the wrong and fully expected to get a ticket and be as- sessed a fine. What he didn't expect was @ fine in amount of $52.50 and a statement from the arresting officer that he would recsive three points on his driver's license. ‘Angry and suspicious, Smith did some re- search. He started with the Pennsylvania Bicy- lists Guide (published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education)* which advised 10 look up Section 3502 of the Motor Vehicle Code of Pennsylvania. Turning to Section 3502 (art of the Bicycle Code) he read ‘Any person violating any provision of this subchapter [which states, essen- tially, that a bicycle rider must obey traffic regulations.) is guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon con- viction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $10.00. On the question of receiving points on his driver's license, Smith looked up Section 1535(D) of the Motor Vehicle Code which read: [Assignment of points to a driver's license} does not apply to a person who is operating pedalcycle [(a, ve- hicle propelled solely by human: powered pedals)] or a vehicle pulled by an animal, Armed with this information, Smith pleaded his case before Judge George ‘Twardy. Twardy upheld the original fine as- sessment and gave Smith a stem lecture about the general incompatibality of bicy- cles and automobiles. (When the judge made no mention of the points penalty, Smith asked about it, and was told that he would not receive the points because he was not operating a motor vehicle at the time of the arrest.) Heeding the advice of a lawyer, Smith de- cided not to appeal his case. Interpretation of Section 3502 is not as straightforward as it may appear to a layperson, he was told, and given the leanings of the appeals judge, he stood litte chance of a favorable ruling. Smith's advice lawyer and some coalition members believe that the fight for establish- ing unambiguous fines for bicyclists is in the legislature. Other BCDV members believe the fight is in the courts. In either case, this is a matter in need of attention over the next year. “The Pennsylvania Bicyclist’s Guide is available by writing to: Marion Kay Gray, PA Dept. of Education, Bthfloer , 333 market Se Harrisburg. Peantyloanie {F126 Editor: Betsy Blizard Contributers: Scott Dotterer, John Dowlin, Gihon Jordan, Sid Ozer, Tina Salowey, George Theall BCDY Officers President: Gihon Jordan, 349-8605 Treasurer: Nancy Drye, 387-9242 Secretary: Tina Salowey, BIC-YCLE Cyclegram is published quarterly by the Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley, P.O. Box 8194, Philadelphi PA 19101. BCDV is a volunteer, non- profit organization promoting bicycling throughout the area. Coverage of an event not sponsored by BCDV does not constitute an endorsement.Crossing the Dela- ware New Jersey may not be a foreign country, but at times, entering the state by bicycle from Philadelphia can be more difficult than obtaining a passport to Poland. Of the major bridges that cross the Delaware River in the Philadelphia area, four--the Commo- dore Barry, Walt Whitman, Ben Franklin, and Betsy Ross--are under the jurisdiction fof the Delaware River Port Authority. Of these, only one, the Ben Franklin, is access- ible to bicycles. However, the one allowed route for cyclists--the walkway--is only ‘open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. (During the summer the hours were generously extend- ced one hour at either end.) One evening, I found myself on the wrong side of the Delaware at 8:00 pm. PATCO does not allow bikes on the train and "A Night in Camden” is not exactly a show tune, T had little choice but to ignore the "No Bikes Allowed" sign and plunge into the harrowing waffic in the righthand lane, riding as if I were Greg LeMond. Mo- ments later, a policeman spotted me and called out on his bull horn to ask if T could read. I didn't think this was the time to question my literacy level or knowledge of the law so T shrugged and turned my con- centration to the blur of cars and buses grazing my left shoulder. Hee leit me alone but I flagged him down ‘when I reached the other side. 1 told him that his bull hom had endangered me more than any bus on the bridge and if he had really been concerned for my safety, he would have escorted me across. I explained SEPTA Surveys Riders The Transit Riders Action Committee (TRAC) is conducting a firsteever rider survey of the SEP- TA system, Here is your chance to comment on such things as the cleanliness, safety, punctu- ality, and convenience of your normal route. In discussing convenience, you might mention bi- cycle parking facilities and the SEPTA policy of no bikes on trains. To obtain your questionnaire, write to: my situation, adding that if he wanted to prevent such infractions in the future he should encourage the bridge authority to open the walkway 24 hours a day. He coun- tered by saying that the walkway was closed at night because there was a problem with delinquents throwing things down ‘onto the passing cars. My experience that night was less than pleasant, but I did get across safely, and, miraculously, I didn't get a ticket. Others finding themselves in my situation may not be s0 lucky. ‘The coalition proposes the following so- lutions to the problem of crossing the Dela- ware: 1) The walkway on the Ben Franklin Bridge should be open from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm. 2) PATCO should allow all bicycles on the trains during the hours that the Ben Franklin walkway is closed. 3) Reliable transportation service (eg., @ shuttle) should be provided for cyclists over the Commodore Barry Bridge. 4) One lane on the vastly underused Betsy Ross Bridge should be reserved for cyclists. 5) Bicy- list should be allowed to use the proposed Philadelphia-Camden ferry service. Your letter to the DRPA supporting this proposal will make a difference. Send one today to: Delaware River Port Authority, Bridge Plaza, Camden, NJ 08101. [For a listing of all bridges crossing the Delaware and their accessibility to bicy- clists, write to: New Jersey Bicycling In- formation, 1035 Parkway Ave., CN600, Trenton, New Jersey 08625.] TRAC, 1207 Chestnut Street, 4th Floor, Phila- delphia 19107, (215)568-8145. Calendars For Sale! ‘The 1989/1995/2006 Cycle & Recycle Inter- national Bicycle Calendar has arrived. At $6.00, it's a bargain. For your copy, send a check to BCDV, P.O. Box 8194, Philadelphia, PA 19101. (Discounts are available for multi- ple orders~see insert.)MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Membership in the Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware special events, as well as ex- Valley includes a subscrip- pert help from the co: tion to Cyelegram , the coa- touring, racing, commuting, Tition's quarterly newsletter, and legal advisors. discounts at over 20 bicycle shops, invitations to coalition Name __ Address City Phone Members 815.00 Single — $20.00 Family Sign me up to help wi _- Adopt-an-Agency T Newsletter Upcoming = Making telephone calls = Leaftetting Coalition meets on the 2nd grew of the Philadelphia — Outreach to organizations/companies Monday of each month, at Leningrad Sister Cities Pro- — Roadway and traffic design 6:30 in the Bourse. Call ject (PLSCP), on Wed., Oct. — Access to public facilities (215) -BICYCLE for direc- 19th, at 7:30 pm, at the — Instruction for bicyclists tions. Fall meetings are: Oct. First Unitarian Church, — Other: 10th, Nov. 14th, and Dec. 2125 Chestnut Street. 12h, Nomination of officers Slide shor Bike Tour- ‘through coalition membership) nd adoption of the by- ing in Central Ameri — The Bike Commuter Map ($5.00) laws will take place at the a, Presentation by Ann — Bottle Bill T-shirt ($6.00) (Specify Dec. 12th meeting. Sorrel and/or Frank Staub, tan or blue, smi.) Sunday, Nov. 13th, 7:00 pm Slide show: Bike touring at the Commissary Restau- r 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Coalition meetings. The Presentation by John Mul- | __ Bicycle parking development 1 1 1 1 ' 1 1 1 1 1 ' 1 1 in Estonia and Russi rant, 1710 Sanson Street. \ ‘Mail this form along with a check to BCDV, Box 8194, Phila, PA 19101. bes ee eee eens Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley P.O. Box 8194 Philadelphia, PA 19101 (215)BIC-YCLE