Philly in Pain

THIS IS TAKEN FROM TRICKTRACK.ORG PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO HELP. THIS SITUATION IS RIDICULOUS...


I'm not sure if any of you are aware of the bike situation in Philadelphia, but there are a lot of changes, and proposed changes in the works.

First, the proposed:
The city is proposing that all cyclists register their bicycles (a $20 fee). The registration would force all cyclists to have a visible proof of registration on their bicycles (license plate), and if any cyclists is caught without registration, its a $100 fine. The city is also proposing a number of changes to the fines for violating existing traffic laws. $300 for riding on the sidewalk(formerly $10); $300 for running a red light/stop sign(formerly around $120); $300 for wrong way on a one way street(formerly around $120); $300 for riding with headphones (fine currently $3). They are also proposing a fine for brakeless riders. The fine will be $1000 for riding brakeless, or confiscation.

Second, the current:
Starting today, the Philadelphia Police Department will be enforcing all existing traffic violations more strictly than they have been before. I've heard a number of accounts already of cyclists receiving tickets. One good point: police have been cracking down on motorists driving and double parking in the Spruce St and Pine St bike lanes and supposedly will be more often.

What to do:
"The Bicycle Coalition encourages you to write and call Councilman Kenney
(215) 686-3450, (215) 686-3451 and Councilman DiCicco (215) 686-3458, (215) 686-3459 directly and express your viewpoint about these bills."

Notable Links:
Registration Bill - http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/files/DiCicco%20Bicycle%20Registration.pdf
Increased penalties bill - http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/files/Kenney%20bicycle%20fines%20legislation.pdf
No Brake bill - http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/files/Kenney%20bicycles%20-%20no%20brake%20confiscation%20legislation.pdf

Story in the philly news - http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20091118_Council_eyes_new_bike-ride_regs.html
Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia - http://blog.bicyclecoalition.org/
(Updated often and full of information on the situation, one of our greatest resources here in philly as cyclists)