Hi I just moved to north philly and wanted to get a bike but I’ve never biked in the city before. what kind of bike should I get? I will be using it primarily to get to west and south and navigate the city. I don’t have the best stamina yet either. Does anyone recommend a mountain bike vs road vs gravel? I had been thinking a single speed since I haven’t learned how to do any repairs yet. Would it be helpful to get a multi gear? any advice or insight is appreciated :)

From today’s OpEd section https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/letters/letters-editor-october-30-2024-20241030.html

Hi all I know it’s a long shot but my bike was stolen sometime between midnight and 10 am this morning in Powelton Village/ Mantua around Lancaster Ave & Spring Garden St. It’s a Trek Mountain Bike, Serial #: 170709 83-001W. It has a flashlight holder on the left handlebar and a small tear on the seat. The chain is pretty rusty and it squeaks when ridden. It’s not in great shape so I was surprised it was stolen but if anyone has any information it would be greatly appreciated!!

My charger is dead. The end is a five-pin triangular charger, which is difficult to find online with US shipping. I’m also wary of buying a cheap knock off from Aliexpress (since cheap charger have been known to cause fires)

I watched an SUV with Maryland plates drive onto the DRT bike path near the Independence Seaport Museum. Wish I took a photo, but I was more concerned with getting to work. Maybe all our trails need bollards

Who in the city needs to approve it?

Thanks in advanced!

This week, we'll tour nearly all of the notable Philadelphia filming locations for M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense, released 25 year ago. While it's always a good idea to look at the route before the ride, this route is extra informative - it includes info and photos for all of the filming locations. We'll end at Craft Hall on the Delaware River Trail. Halloween costumes are very welcome and encouraged, but not required.

Start: Malcolm X Memorial Park, SE corner, 51st & Larchwood
Time: Meet by 7pm, roll at 7:10pm
End: Craft Hall, 901 N Delaware Ave
Length: 9.4 miles, flat (+100 ft / -200 ft)
Level of difficulty: Standard
Route: RideWithGPS, Komoot, .gpx download 

Ride notes:

• We'll be riding on the sidewalk along St Albans Place so we can experience the unique block where Cole's house is located in the film. Please use caution.
• We plan to regroup in Rittenhouse Square.
• Be advised there are two small loops on this route, one to pass Malcolm's house on posh Delancey St, the other to pass St Augustine's church with its iconic red door.
• It's not lost on us that the film includes the death of a cyclist. Please ride safely, stop at lights, and avoid conflict with drivers.
• New and returning riders alike, please take the time to review our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone's on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun.

Rooooooute maaaaaaaap

We're always looking for new ride leaders, volunteers, and organizers. If you'd like to get more involved, reply to this post or DM on Instagram. The more voices and ideas our community can contribute, the better.

Thanks for riding -- see you tomorrow!

have been thinking about a road upgrade, and would really like to go bianchi. the retailers that bianchi list on their website don't seem to reference the brand or actively carry their products? but i see celeste carbon bianchis around... where do philly bianchis come from, papa?

Not only was there at least one vehicle in the bike lane on nearly every block of the Spruce/Pine bike lanes between 10th and 15th, these cops were parked in the 13th Street bike lane when there was at least enough room for two of those cop vans right across the street out of the bike lane and out of traffic.

Not to mention the 4-5 bike cops just chit chatting outside the 1500 Spruce CVS watching car after car parking in the bike lane right in front of them and doing nothing about it.

I’ve been working on an app called Pointz that’s all about helping riders find safer, low-stress routes to feel confident and comfy on the roads. Right now, it has emergency roadside assistance, plus a color-coded road safety map (from red to dark green for safety ratings), a slider to help choose the optimal balance of safety vs. speed, and options for specific preferences, like avoiding hills, selecting routes for different bike types, avoiding multi-use paths, and more. It has a bunch of other things like a way to record your ride (like Strava), GPX exporting, and even crowdsourcing (like Waze).But I'm curious—what features would you all actually use? Especially folks who are new/intermediate to riding in cities and suburbs. Would love to hear your thoughts

I got this in a buy nothing group on Craigslist and as you can tell it needs a huge restoration. It is a 1980s Schwinn Letour and what is the cheapest part the get replaced out first

I got cut off and hit by a car in the MLK bike lane. Bike is fine and just some minor soreness that will probably turn into bruises. Had a helmet and lights on. There was a long line of traffic on MLK and the car was waiting in traffic then inexplicably turned without signaling to go up to the Strawberry Mansion bridge. I was barely half a car length behind when the driver turned. The kicker? The driver is part of the local cycle scene.

Beautiful day to ride. I love when Kelly drive has restricted traffic. I felt like most riders were being very polite with the extra pedestrian traffic. I like to watch the rowers on the river as well.

I also felt a little sense of comradery with other riders. Shout outs to my man's attempting the century. My ride will be 34 miles by time I get back.

• I spoke with the PPA leadership today to get some realistic expectations regarding enforcement on Spruce/Pine. Here's what we can expect:
  • PPA is set to meet with the Streets Department in the near future regarding signage change
  • Either the PPA or the Streets Department will physically change the signs at the direction of the Streets Department
  • Once the "No stopping" signs are up, notice will be sent to residents and users of the corridor and strict enforcement will begin 2 weeks after
• I also heard a rumor that the "no stopping" signs may not change until the loading zones are installed. Its probably in everyone's best interest (cyclists and upset residents) that the loading zones go in as soon as possible. However, unlike changing the "No stopping" signs, new poles may have to be set for loading zones which is added time and expense.

Important Information, Mutual Release, and Route for the October 26, 2024 NightCycle

1. Meet up is 7:30PM Art Museum, October 26. Roll out is 8pm. The trail along Cobbs Creek, portions of Greys Ferry Crescent, and Mt Moriah itself are unlit – Lights are a must. The ride is 14 miles total. The pace is “social”. The ride will return to the Art Museum before riding a little bit more to end at Lorraine, 1502 Brown St.

2. Everyone will be asked to sign a voluntary mutual release by printing your name on a google doc. This is the real one – the paper ones never really worked, the one from Hit the Decks was ride specific – so, if you’ve signed one before, do it again. It’s voluntary – you won’t be asked not to ride if you don’t side. But hopefully we can finally get the “we don’t sue each other club” solidy established. You can see the release – and even sign it electronically now – here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17ZjMNtmKyVY9tImxuBCCwtA5qfYzKIjCzG774d5eSj0/edit?usp=sharing

1. The route

2. Spring Garden west. Yield to traffic and obey signals at highway ramps.

3. Right on31

4. Left on 32

5. Zig zag l/r on powelton to stay on 32

6. Right on Race

7. Left on 34

8. Right into Penn Campus

9. Right onto woodland walk

10. Cross to stay on Locust

11. Left on 44

12. Cross Baltimore and enter Clark Park

13. Cut through Clark Park to cross Chester at 43

14. Cut through Clark Park to cross 45 onto Kingsessing

15. Right onto 58 via sidewalk

16. Wrap around left onto Chester

17. Right onto 59

18. Cross Cobbs Creek Parkway to the right to get onto trail

MID POINT: MOUNT MORIAH

1. Track back on the trail
2. Cross Cobbs Creek Parkway to get back on 59
3. Hop on little trail at Chester
4. Wrap around right on 58
5. Left onto Kingsessing
6. Right onto 50
7. Left onto Paschall
8. Right to cross Greys Ferry Ave Bridge
9. Sharp right to enter Greys Ferry Crescent Park
10. Cut through park to get to 45^(th) street
11. Cross 45^(th) street bridge
12. Cross 34/University ave at the light
13. Right onto Riverfields Drive
14. Cut through athletic area and cut behind Franklin Field
15. Left onto South St., stay on sidewalk.
16. Left onto SRT
17. Dip behind art museum and cross Kelly at 25^(th)
18. Right on Pennsyvania
19. Left on 24
20. Right on green
21. Left on 18
22. Right on Francis
23. Right on Brown

END: LORRAINE

If you have experience as a bicycle mechanic and you’re looking for a job, stop by the new GetWhizz e-bike shop on the 300 block of Market Street. They’re hiring bicycle mechanics! I just got an e-bike there. While I was waiting for my e-bike to be built, the manager Natalie told me they’re having a hiring event this Sunday at 2:00 at their new store.

The Delaware Valley River Planning Commission is conducting a survey and looking for input to help make Wissahickon Avenue safe for bicycle riders and pedestrians. This survey must be completed by the end of this month. Spread the word!

https://publicparticipation.dvrpc.org/wissahickon?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_content=120212552776640254&utm_term=120212552776440254&utm_campaign=120212552776430254

Thanks to everyone who suggested biking in Philly. I posted a few weeks ago (we are from DC).

From The Element we walked down 15th to Spruce. We rented bikes there and went over to the SRT. From there we rode up to East Falls and left the bikes.

We went to really cool coffee shop in East Falls (Vault + Vine) and had an outdoor lunch at In Riva. After that was an Uber to Chinatown.

Cheers!

Bill 240657: An Ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Traffic Code,” to prohibit stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle in a bicycle lane and to increase monetary penalties for illegally stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle in a bicycle lane, all under certain terms and conditions.

You can find the city council’s phone numbers here: https://phlcouncil.com/council-members/

If you have time this morning, call them all.

Tell them you support the proposed legislation in Bill # 240657.

Tell them about any time you had to leave the bike lane to get around a car parked in the way.

Tell them that you don’t deserve to be put in danger because someone thinks they are entitled to special privileges.

After laying off staff and reducing full-time employees to PT, at the most profitable Specialized retailer in the region for years, Specialized has decided Keswick U City is no longer worth keeping open. It closed permanently yesterday and laid off all mechanics and floor workers. However anyone feels about that shop, the loss of an LBS is a tragedy. RIP Keswick, and thanks for the good times.