Intergovernmental collaboration between the Parker Administration, City Council & community activists brings public safety enhancements and social justice to Philadelphia streets.
PHILADELPHIA — Today, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker signed two bills to enhance Philadelphia’s public safety and quality of life. The bills included a No-Stopping in Bike Lanes bill and a bill renaming Taney Street after a Philadelphia Civil rights pioneer. The Parker Administration continues its promise of safer Philadelphia streets while signing a bill supported by five years of advocacy from community groups and City Council.
“It is our responsibility to raise awareness about the dangers of vehicles obstructing bike lanes, creating dangerous conflicts forcing cyclists into vehicle lanes, increasing the risk of crashes, and compromising safety for all road users,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “City Council and I hope and believe the No-Stopping in Bike Lanes legislation will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists as Philadelphia’s diverse transportation system requires safer streets for all users. I want to commend Council President Johnson for his leadership on this important issue.”
Mayor Parker signed the new bills into law alongside Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Richard Lazer, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure (OTIS), the Streets Department, and other members of City Council.
“I want to thank Mayor Parker for signing the ‘Get Out The Bike Line’ bill into law,” said City Council President Kenyatta Johnson. “I co-sponsored this legislation with Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (Third District) and it was overwhelmingly approved by Councilmembers. Traffic deaths have, sadly, been going up in Philadelphia so I believe this law will make the streets safer for everyone, including our elderly, school kids, and all those who are walking or biking in the streets.”
Here are the two bills, and what they call for, signed by Mayor Parker:
No Stopping in Bike Lanes
The No Stopping in Bike Lanes (Bill No. 240657) will reclassify over 35 miles of curbside lanes and all bike lanes to “No Stopping Anytime,” prohibiting stopping, standing, or parking in bicycle lanes while increasing the monetary penalties for these violations. The replacement of signage for Spruce and Pine Streets will start in Spring 2025 in conjunction with loading zone signage. Other signage replacement will continue through 2025 for all other corridors affected by the renaming.
Taney Street Renaming
The Taney Street Renaming Bill (Bill No. 240931) will replace the name of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, infamous for the 1857 Dred Scott decision that denied citizenship to African Americans, with Caroline LeCount, a Philadelphia Civil Rights pioneer and educator. The renaming will change the name of Taney Street to LeCount Street across several city sections. There are approximately 600 addresses that would be affected by this street renaming. With the bills signing the Streets Department will notify the US Postmaster and any mapping services that use street names.
“Thank you to fellow City Councilmembers Curtis Jones (Fourth District) and Jeffery Young (Fifth District) for joining me in co-sponsoring this legislation,” Johnson said. “The renaming to LeCount Street is long overdue. Ms. LeCount was the first Black woman to pass Philadelphia’s teaching exam and a trailblazing principal in the late 19th century. She was a champion of civil rights and she and her fiancée, Octavius Catto, successfully integrated the city’s streetcars back in the late 1860’s, 90 years before Rosa Parks sat down on the bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her legacy will forever be honored through these efforts.”
“I am grateful to Council President Johnson, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Young, and all members of City Council for their leadership on this issue as we recognize the historical significance of this legislation and what that street renaming means to Philadelphia,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “I am proud to commemorate the life, legacy, and contributions of Caroline LeCount to our great city through this street renaming.”