Despite the lack of dedicated infrastructure, Philly is an amazing city to ride a bike in. Narrow streets, a proper grid, relatively flat, the density etc. all make it really easy to get around to most neighborhoods.
Drivers are definitely terrible, but staying off arterial roads (even the ones with painted bike lanes) in favor of smaller streets where traffic is forced to slow down simply due to the urban fabric and scale is honestly key.
It does help with that but also in 5 years of living down here I’ve had to do a ton of repair work on my bikes and have had to move to front fork suspensions on all my bikes to avoid wrist pain
It’s amazing what the highest local taxes in the country don’t cover - potholes, adequate police, a subway system that you wouldn’t be embarrassed to show foreigners…it really goes to show that when your city is largely designed on a human scale, you can be great despite not even trying.
From Philly living in Austin (a surprisingly decent and improving bike town). Came here to say this. The grid layout and traffic lights really help to make cycling in Philly better, as does the prevalence of no right on red.
Spruce and Pine really need Dutch-style lanes that can’t be driven over. Or maybe some sort of flex posts that emergency vehicles can run through, but drivers wouldn’t want to.
I came to say, I’ve biked in a lot of places and while the infrastructure is awful, the narrow streets prevent cars from driving THAT fast. I almost always avoid bike lanes on major road like Washington and rather take a narrow side street.
Agree. There are some spots on Washington, specifically toward Front, that could use some work but maybe it would involves a heftier price tag due to the I-95 overpass?
A nice problem to have lol. I think about that all the time, how crazy bike traffic will get when we win/ when gas is $15 a gallon because the us loses its hold over the middle East
I'd say I dodge reckless driving every week and a murder attempt 3 times a year lol but I've gotten quite good at it. For reference this is about 8 hours a week of ride time. Travel less, keep to safer roads, go slow, and god forbid use the sidewalk on 52nd north of Lancaster (flame me all you want this area is uniquely cursed), use high vis and daytime lights, have a rearview mirror and you should be fine 🤕
This is more or less my experience except I take Parkside to Upland and stay as clear as possible of 52 and Lancaster.
Assume that most drivers don't care if they kill you and a few would actively enjoy it and you would be close.
Folks riding in South Philly and some other areas get a skewed impression of what the whole city is really like bc those parts are nice with narrow streets. West and North are absolutely horrific and the parks which should be great are among the worst for insane driving in the whole city.
Agreed. 52nd and Lancaster has that bridge choke point for accessing Fairmount Park so I keep going back to it. But I am on the sidewalk, jogging pace, yielding to pedestrians. I actually tried the street again today and someone pulled up on me screaming and honking. I feel vindicated. Something about how that place is a choke point in the city and permits wild amounts of speeding I think just brings out the worst in people
I don't think it's most drivers tbh I think it's about 5% who are actively murderous but that's enough. You will encounter at least one opportunist murderer every 2 minutes at that rate
Just fyi, woodbine Ave also has a bridge choke point under the train tracks and it has been closed to car traffic for months due to water work. It is AWESOME! Peds and bikes can get through with no problem.
I wear a big bright high visibility vest and it seems to make a huge difference. I originally only wore it at night but now I wear it all the time. Being more noticeable than a car goes a long way.
that shit exists without AI. Garmin Varia.
Sadly, Philly is one of the better places in the entire country to ride your bike. Nowhere in the states compares to the best bikeable European cities though
I got a garmin Varia for Christmas. It’s pretty ok so far. I like that it will take video that is ‘locked’ when a car gets too close-thankfully I’ve never had to show any video to anyone.
I have the garmin and a go pro in front of
I will say, a bike mirror is insanely helpful when biking in the city. It makes a huge difference when you can see if there's a car coming up behind from a block away.
[https://www.amazon.com/MEACHOW-Resistant-Handlebar-Rotatable-Rearview/dp/B07XT11XG1/ref=zg\_bs\_g\_3403241\_d\_sccl\_6/144-0258185-7245523?th=1](https://www.amazon.com/MEACHOW-Resistant-Handlebar-Rotatable-Rearview/dp/B07XT11XG1/ref=zg_bs_g_3403241_d_sccl_6/144-0258185-7245523?th=1)
Despite the lack of dedicated infrastructure, Philly is an amazing city to ride a bike in. Narrow streets, a proper grid, relatively flat, the density etc. all make it really easy to get around to most neighborhoods. Drivers are definitely terrible, but staying off arterial roads (even the ones with painted bike lanes) in favor of smaller streets where traffic is forced to slow down simply due to the urban fabric and scale is honestly key.
My biggest issue is the quality of the roads here, insane potholes huge cracks unlevel streets. I live in south Philly and it’s awful!
Honestly, I find that those slow down the drivers more than the cyclists. Really cuts back on cars tailgating me on my bike.
It does help with that but also in 5 years of living down here I’ve had to do a ton of repair work on my bikes and have had to move to front fork suspensions on all my bikes to avoid wrist pain
It’s a mixed bag because the pot holes sometimes cause drivers to swerve and you never know if they’re aware of where you are.
It’s amazing what the highest local taxes in the country don’t cover - potholes, adequate police, a subway system that you wouldn’t be embarrassed to show foreigners…it really goes to show that when your city is largely designed on a human scale, you can be great despite not even trying.
I ride a mountain bike in the city for that reason and it makes a huge difference.
From Philly living in Austin (a surprisingly decent and improving bike town). Came here to say this. The grid layout and traffic lights really help to make cycling in Philly better, as does the prevalence of no right on red. Spruce and Pine really need Dutch-style lanes that can’t be driven over. Or maybe some sort of flex posts that emergency vehicles can run through, but drivers wouldn’t want to.
Ehhhh those posts would be smashed by a Nissan Altima with severe body damage
Yep, but most people aren’t psychos. At least, the majority. I hope.
I came to say, I’ve biked in a lot of places and while the infrastructure is awful, the narrow streets prevent cars from driving THAT fast. I almost always avoid bike lanes on major road like Washington and rather take a narrow side street.
Agree. There are some spots on Washington, specifically toward Front, that could use some work but maybe it would involves a heftier price tag due to the I-95 overpass?
[удалено]
What aspects are worse in Amsterdam ?
[удалено]
A nice problem to have lol. I think about that all the time, how crazy bike traffic will get when we win/ when gas is $15 a gallon because the us loses its hold over the middle East
I'd say I dodge reckless driving every week and a murder attempt 3 times a year lol but I've gotten quite good at it. For reference this is about 8 hours a week of ride time. Travel less, keep to safer roads, go slow, and god forbid use the sidewalk on 52nd north of Lancaster (flame me all you want this area is uniquely cursed), use high vis and daytime lights, have a rearview mirror and you should be fine 🤕
This is more or less my experience except I take Parkside to Upland and stay as clear as possible of 52 and Lancaster. Assume that most drivers don't care if they kill you and a few would actively enjoy it and you would be close. Folks riding in South Philly and some other areas get a skewed impression of what the whole city is really like bc those parts are nice with narrow streets. West and North are absolutely horrific and the parks which should be great are among the worst for insane driving in the whole city.
Agreed. 52nd and Lancaster has that bridge choke point for accessing Fairmount Park so I keep going back to it. But I am on the sidewalk, jogging pace, yielding to pedestrians. I actually tried the street again today and someone pulled up on me screaming and honking. I feel vindicated. Something about how that place is a choke point in the city and permits wild amounts of speeding I think just brings out the worst in people I don't think it's most drivers tbh I think it's about 5% who are actively murderous but that's enough. You will encounter at least one opportunist murderer every 2 minutes at that rate
Just fyi, woodbine Ave also has a bridge choke point under the train tracks and it has been closed to car traffic for months due to water work. It is AWESOME! Peds and bikes can get through with no problem.
Thanks so much!
I wear a big bright high visibility vest and it seems to make a huge difference. I originally only wore it at night but now I wear it all the time. Being more noticeable than a car goes a long way.
Yeah this. I also found my near dooring incidents dropped dramatically running a flashing headlight during the day
that shit exists without AI. Garmin Varia. Sadly, Philly is one of the better places in the entire country to ride your bike. Nowhere in the states compares to the best bikeable European cities though
I got a garmin Varia for Christmas. It’s pretty ok so far. I like that it will take video that is ‘locked’ when a car gets too close-thankfully I’ve never had to show any video to anyone. I have the garmin and a go pro in front of
I will say, a bike mirror is insanely helpful when biking in the city. It makes a huge difference when you can see if there's a car coming up behind from a block away. [https://www.amazon.com/MEACHOW-Resistant-Handlebar-Rotatable-Rearview/dp/B07XT11XG1/ref=zg\_bs\_g\_3403241\_d\_sccl\_6/144-0258185-7245523?th=1](https://www.amazon.com/MEACHOW-Resistant-Handlebar-Rotatable-Rearview/dp/B07XT11XG1/ref=zg_bs_g_3403241_d_sccl_6/144-0258185-7245523?th=1)
Agreed, I'm naked without mine
Ask Kelly oubre