Philadelphia, June 04 – Philadelphia was recognized as a bicycle friendly city today as the League of American Bicyclists presented Mayor Michael A. Nutter with the League’s prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community Award at the Bronze Level. Mayor Nutter also signed today Philadelphia’s first Complete Streets Executive Order which makes full consideration of cyclists, pedestrians and public transit users an integral part of streets planning by City Departments and agencies.
“While I am proud to have Philadelphia recognized at the bronze level, I’m aiming for platinum,” said Mayor Nutter. “The signing of this Executive Order is just one in a number of steps that we are taking to make Philadelphia an even better place to walk, bike and take SEPTA. Making it easy for residents, commuters and visitors to choose to not use their cars is among the most meaningful contributions the City can make toward our goal of becoming America’s number one green city.”
The Complete Streets policy will apply when planning, designing, constructing, maintaining or operating transportation facilities including park roads, drives and paths. The order directs all City departments and agencies to:
Give full consideration to the safety and convenience of all users of the transportation system, be they pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users or motor vehicle drivers;
Place a high priority on the safety of those traveling in the public right of way, and in particular the safety of children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilities, Rina Cutler, who spearheaded the effort to have Philadelphia adopt a Complete Streets policy remarked, “Our adoption of a Complete Streets policy builds on Philadelphia’s history of being a great city for walking and biking. We expect every City agency to incorporate this policy, constructing a future where it is easier than ever before to walk, bike or take transit. This will enable Philadelphia to really focus on becoming a more livable community.”
At the signing and press conference in Love Park Mayor Nutter was also presented with the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Community Award. Philadelphia is the first City in Pennsylvania to receive the honor and one of the largest cities in the nation to receive the honor. Fewer than half of all applicants for the award receive a designation.
Andy Clarke, the League’s Executive Director, noted the progress that Philadelphia has made in becoming a bicycle friendly community, “Philadelphia, has marked over two hundred miles of streets with bicycle lanes, provided over 4,000 on-street bicycle parking spaces and since 2005 has decreased the number bike accidents resulting in injuries by 14 percent.”
