A neighborhood group is suing Philadelphia in an effort to stop the building of solid bike lane barriers on Pine and Spruce streets in Center City.
The solid barriers have been years in the works, but were treated with more urgency after Dr. Barbara Friedes, a physician at CHOP, was struck and killed near the intersection of 18 and Spruce streets last year after a driver went through flexible bike lane posts.
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WATCH HEREThe new project, which was approved by the city in March, will also add new loading zones and "No Stopping Anytime" signage.
Construction in the area could begin as soon as Thursday.
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SIGN UP The group, named Friends of Pine and Spruce, say the new barriers take away parking spaces and that the mayor does not have the power to do that.
"You can't solve one problem with a medicine that is going to create a lot more problems," said George Bochetto, the lawyer representing the group. "And when the medicine doesn't address the problem."
However, not all residents in the area agree. Garrett Broad, a resident of Pine Street, said that he prefers the added safety.
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"What would it take for me to be so angry about having to look for parking a little bit longer? What is a the trade off for that than someone having their life by these changes," he said. "When you put it in those terms, if I have to look a little bit longer for parking when I'm driving, I think that's a trade off worth making."
The Bicyclist Coalition in the city says biking is increasing in the city, and they welcome the cement barriers, which will increase safety and potentially save lives.
"The cement barriers are an important way to assure that you offer an extra layer of protection to both active mobility use and pedestrians because it offers an extra layer of protection to the pedestrians," said Chris Gale, the executive director of of the Bicycle Coalition.
According to our partners of KYW NewsRadio, the city is reviewing the lawsuit, but had no immediate comment.
