FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:      Thursday, February 27, 1997
 

Bicyclists and Pedestrians Benefit from Bills Introduced by Fernandez [However if you’re looking for evidence of these so called benefits you won’t find them in this press release-M]

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Councilwoman-at-Large Happy Fernandez, in her ongoing efforts to enhance pedestrian safety, has introduced two bills which will make our streets safer for pedestrians by improving the bicycling environment in the City. 

[M - a pedestrian has never been killed by a cyclist in Philadelphia but motor vehicles kill about 50 pedestrians every year. If Fernandez’s concern  for pedestrian safety was sincere then why not address real threats to safety rather than perceived threats. Why is Fernandez not afraid of motorists?]

A bill introduced on February 20th, will open up the Chestnut Street Transitway to bicycle traffic. Bicycles had been prohibited from using Chestnut Street, which forced many bike riders to use City streets that are jammed with automobiles and pedestrians. "Until the City's bike plan is fully implemented, allowing bicycles on Chestnut Street is one way to provide a safer environment in which to travel through Center City by bike," explained Fernandez. 

[M – again the threat to safety is right in front of Fernandez but her bias keeps her from seeing it. She says “city streets are jammed with automobiles.” A reduction in the number of cars on the City’s streets would create more space for all road users thereby increasing pedestrian safety.]

In a related bill introduced today, bike couriers and delivery service providers will be required to wear identification so that riders who ignore basic traffic laws can be easily identified by police officers and citizens. By law, bicyclists are to abide by the rules of the road established by the Pennsylvania motor vehicle code, which includes the stipulation that all bicycles must stay off the sidewalks, unless the rider is under the age of 12. One of the most common complaints of pedestrians is that they are afraid of getting hit by bicycles that ride on the sidewalks. 

[The “most common complaint” is not about actual behaviour it’s about the threat of a behaviour.]

"Through education and enforcement, our City streets will become safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists," said Councilwoman Fernandez. 

[M - Fernandez’s bill does nothing to address education or enforcement. Laws that could be enforced already exist and no education will be provided as a result of her bill. All this bill does is create more bureacracy and give police a tool to harass both cyclists and couriers. And Fernandez grants motorists free reign to continue killing 50 pedestrians every year.]
 
 

More info from Fernandez’s Office on Bill No. 970138:

Amended the Philadelphia Code by adding a new Section entitled, "Bicycle Couriers and Bicycle Delivery Service," to impose certain requirements on bicycle couriers and providers of bicycle delivery services, including certain identification, training and record keeping requirements. Commercial bicycle delivery couriers are now required to carry and wear easily identifiable identification. In addition, bike operators must learn the rules of the road and abide by basic traffic laws. [M - but they had to abide by traffic laws before this bill] 

This bill was signed into law by the Mayor on 5/9/97.

[M - as is typical of all these licensing ordinances,legislators brag of the training requirement. Yet  “training” consists of  bicycle couriers signing a statement that they understand and will abide by all traffic laws.]
 

What Fernandez really means:

Amended the Philadelphia Code by adding a new Section entitled, "Bicycle Couriers and Bicycle Delivery Service," to impose more bureacracy upon Philadelphia residents at taxpayer expense. Although this amendment does nothing for safety it does give police an added weapon to harass those pesky bike couriers who don’t follow the unwritten dress code in Ms Feranadez’s mind. It also serves the special interests of the automobile industry, as pressure and harassment of cyclists and couriers may prevent others from participating in any mode of transportation that demonstrates any superiority over the automobile.
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

You can obtain copies of all City Council bills and City of Philadelphia ordinances from the Chief Clerk's Office, City Hall, Room 402. Contact the Chief Clerk's Office at (215) 686-3410 for more information. 

Note: Happy is not so Happy these days. Her recent attempt at a run for the Mayor’s office in Philadelphia ended very early because of a lack of support.