Tell Your State Senator to Reject Compromising Traffic Safety

Senate Bill 565 would allow the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to build protected bike lanes and pedestrian plazas took important steps in June 2020 when it passed the Senate twice and the Appropriations Committee by a unanimous vote.   

It is awaiting its third and final floor vote by the full Senate, which is the closest this legislation has come to being passed since first introduced in 2017.

But an amendment designed to hamstring the City of Philadelphia (and only the City of Philadelphia) to install bike lanes may be introduced tomorrow. 

It requires community organizations and City Council to formally approve every bike lane (painted or protected) with written letters within 30 days of a public meeting.

During this time, when pedestrians and bicyclists are being killed at alarming rates due to an epidemic of aggressive and reckless driving, it is unconscionable that the Pennsylvania Senate would make it harder for the City of Philadelphia to install bike lanes than to install a stop sign, traffic signal or crosswalk. 

Please take action today to tell your Senator to say NO to this weakening amendment that compromises safety for bicyclists and all road users.