Cyclists Demanding Safer Streets Following Death Of Bicyclist In Center City
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Concerned cyclists stood side by side on a Center City street Wednesday morning. They're calling for action after 24-year-old Emily Fredericks was hit and killed by a trash truck while riding her bike Tuesday morning.
On Spruce Street, between 11th and 13th, 100 cyclists formed a barrier between the bike lane and car traffic.
A woman who was on her bike was killed Tuesday after being hit by a trash truck.
Organizer Leigh Goldenberg says the city needs to do more to protect cyclists.
"There are bike lanes such as these that are just paint and often paint that is wearing away. People often don't respect the bike lanes. We often see deliveries parked in the street or people just idling causing cyclists to go into the street," said Goldenberg.
One remedy, more protected bike lanes, says Kathleen.
Cyclists can be unpredictable and that's one of the most important reasons to have protected bike lanes because it makes everybody's behavior more predictable.
A spokesman with Mayor Jim Kenney's administration released the following statement:
"The event is a tragedy and our thoughts go out to the victim's family. This matter is still under investigation and we cannot comment on the incident itself. We can say that the bicycle lane on Spruce Street was due to be restriped next month. The City is committed, through its Vision Zero program, to expanding the City's bike lane network, particularly protected bike lanes."
