Motor vehicles and cyclists are to give pedestrians the right-of-way. This does not happen. The law is not enforced. For more info concerning pedestrian rights, visit: ? e-mail me if you know.

There are a few clever tricks to getting around the city. For one there are underground concourses. You can walk from 17th & Arch to 15th & Locust entirely underground. Big deal, huh? Well, if there is a blizzard in the neighborhood, it is. High winds & rain (render umbrellas useless) or some event as a parade or demonstration. There is a caveat: some entrances/exits close at certain hours--they are usually posted.

I walk from 30th Street station to 20th along JFK Blvd and cross only one street!

There is a pedestrian/cycle path that runs along the east bank of the Schulykill.

Pedaling

There is a Coalition for Bicyclists on 11th Street between Spruce and Locust Streets. New location: 100 South Broad St, Suite 1355. Coalition of Bicycles for the Delaware Valley, to be exact. They have a wonderful color map they offer. I believe it is yours for a voluntary donation. I personally think anyone who cycles in the city has a death wish or is crazier than I am. One of the most annoying aspects of living here is the bicyclists who ride on the sidewalks. Many are restaurant delivery boys. Second, the ones who ride in the street but don’t yield to pedestrians (i.e. run red lights). When I grew up in New York State where legislation was passed requiring a minimum of 10 reflectors and 2 working lights (one front, one back) for night riding. In parts of Florida the cops will stop bicyclists and ticket them for not having a single light. I seldom see a single reflectors or lights on bicycles here and few riders wear helmets.

I have seen numerous bicycle frames shackled to parking meters and street signs. I imagine stripping bicycles is a nighttime activity.

Rentals. You can rent bicycles or roller blades at Fairmount Park near the Boathouse.
There is also a Bicycle Club of Philadelphia at tel. 215-735-2453 or visit www.phillybikeclub.org
Map: http://www.phila.gov/streets/Philacc.pdf

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