WHAT IS A TWO-WAY PROTECTED BICYCLE LANE?

A two-way protected bicycle lane is a safety improvement designed to provide a protected space for cyclists between the sidewalk and the parking lane. On Ryan Avenue, between Lexington and Rowland Avenues, the protected bicycle lane will be located on the east side of the street, adjacent to Pennypack Park and the schools. It will be separated from the parking lane by a painted buffer and flexible delineator posts. The painted buffer will allow passengers to safely enter and exit parked cars without obstructing bicycle traffic.

The two-way protected bicycle lane will have painted bicycle symbols and arrows indicating the direction of bicycle travel. At intersections, additional signs and pavement markings will guide bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. The Ryan Avenue two-way protected bike lane will be Philadelphia’s first two-way protected bike lane.

 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A TWO-WAY PROTECTED BICYCLE LANE?

1. Decrease conflict points between bicyclists and drivers.
2. Increase safety for bicyclists by adding a parking lane and a vertical element between vehicle and cyclists space in the roadway. 
3. Increase pedestrian safety by adding more space between pedestrians and moving vehicles. 

WHERE WILL THE TWO-WAY PROTECTED BIKE LANE BE INSTALLED?

The two-way protected bike lane will be between Rowland Avenue and Lexington Avenue on the east side of Ryan Avenue. This safety improvement is expected to be installed in summer 2016.

WHY RYAN AVENUE?

Ryan Avenue is an important link between the Mayfair and Lexington Park neighborhoods and the Pennypack Creek Park. The two-way protected bike lane will improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers who travel through or travel on Ryan Avenue. The avenue was chosen because of its: 

1. Proximity to Pennypack Park,
2. Underutilized median area, and 
3. Existing bicycle lanes and key link in the bicycle network.

HOW WILL CYCLISTS USE THE TWO-WAY PROTECTED BICYCLE LANE? 

Cyclists will enter the two-way protected bicycle lane using the “bicycle box” or the two staged left turn at Rowland and Lexington Avenues. The intersections of Rowland & Ryan Avenues and Lexington & Ryan Avenues are both controlled by traffic signals. Within the two-way protected bike lane, line striping will guide cyclists to stay in their lane, and flexible delineator posts will divide cyclists from parked vehicles

HOW WILL THE RYAN AVENUE PROTECTED BIKE LANE IMPACT VEHICLE TRAFFIC, PARKING, AND LOADING?

The Ryan Avenue two-way protected bike lane will not take a lane of vehicular traffic. Traffic flow will remain the same for drivers. On-street parking lanes on Ryan Avenue will remain, and loading space will not be reduced as a result of this safety improvement. 

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROJECT?

For more information, contact Jeannette Brugger, Pedestrian & Bicycle Coordinator: (215) 686-5521 jeannette.brugger@phila.gov

Program information also available in PDF, CLICK HERE.