Advocacy & Safety - Commuting up 38% during SEPTA strike

Just saw this note, courtesy of the LAB (full article at http://blog.bicyclecoalition.org/2009/11/bicycling-up-38-during-septa-strike.html)

Thousands of stranded SEPTA riders have found a two-wheeled, human-powered solution to their commute. Based on counts conducted by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia yesterday, Day Two of the SEPTA strike saw a 38% increase in bicyclists during rush hour."
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Speaking of which, does anyone know what happened when the Oakland bay bridge was shut down for repairs in terms of the number of riders?

It would be nice to know how many convert after the strike.

It would be nice to know how many convert after the strike.

It will be very few. During a bus strike in Honolulu, many riders switched to bikes. About a month after the strike was over, almost all were back on the bus. At least some gave it a go for a couple of extra weeks.

I was wondering about the SEPTA strike! The traffic was incredible the majority of commuters did not take their bikes to work but drove into the city. Philadelphia is like Newark NJ in a way because it's a small downtown encircled by a large slum! Those in the burbs would have to drive right through the ghetto which is why everyone drives!

I was wondering about the SEPTA strike! The traffic was incredible the majority of commuters did not take their bikes to work but drove into the city. Philadelphia is like Newark NJ in a way because it's a small downtown encircled by a large slum! Those in the burbs would have to drive right through the ghetto which is why everyone drives!

Here's a thought - so if the large surface arterials that go from the suburbs to downtown get nice bike lanes built, then we would/should have decent numbers of downtown and suburban cyclists passing through the slums to and from work. As these people do so, some will end up eating, getting their bikes fixed, run errands, and so on in the slum. The economic activity then would have a gentrifying effect, and the slum would then get fixed and become nice again. More reason for improving the cycling infrastructure. (Of course, all this is assuming that the crime is not TOO bad, to the point that everyone detours or ends up driving via expressway to avoid being robbed/shot.)

It would be nice to know how many convert after the strike.


Its a tough time of year of course, but lets hope some of 'em stay on their bikes. I'll bet though that most of the transit riders didn't have cars to begin with, and given how inconvenient mass transit is, saying that cycling is a 2nd alternative isn't much of a boast.

roughstuff

Here's a thought - so if the large surface arterials that go from the suburbs to downtown get nice bike lanes built, then we would/should have decent numbers of downtown and suburban cyclists passing through the slums to and from work. As these people do so, some will end up eating, getting their bikes fixed, run errands, and so on in the slum. The economic activity then would have a gentrifying effect, and the slum would then get fixed and become nice again. More reason for improving the cycling infrastructure. (Of course, all this is assuming that the crime is not TOO bad, to the point that everyone detours or ends up driving via expressway to avoid being robbed/shot.)I was waiting for someone to smack you out of your daydream.

I was wondering about the SEPTA strike! The traffic was incredible the majority of commuters did not take their bikes to work but drove into the city. Philadelphia is like Newark NJ in a way because it's a small downtown encircled by a large slum! Those in the burbs would have to drive right through the ghetto which is why everyone drives!

What? I mean, seriously, what!? The areas surrounding Center City Philly are far from a "slum," and there are plenty of us who live well outside downtown who aren't in a "slum." This isn't to claim that Philly doesn't have its less-pleasant low-income areas like any other, but... wtf? Also, most of the routes people take from the Suburbs into the city via car are entirely highway-based, so they're not going through any "slums" if you're thinking of, say, far West Philly.

Also, one of the key ways people commute from the burbs to the city - the regional rail lines - were still running during the strike. The strike primarily impacted people who live <i>and</i> work inside the city.

As for the strike itself, I wouldn't expect too many converts, though it won't help that we're on the verge of winter - I'd expect a lot more might convert if it had come in springtime, with more time in pleasant weather for people to keep going. As it is, even a short-term convert will be quickly tempted to return to their bus or subway to avoid the cold.

What? I mean, seriously, what!? The areas surrounding Center City Philly are far from a "slum," and there are plenty of us who live well outside downtown who aren't in a "slum." This isn't to claim that Philly doesn't have its less-pleasant low-income areas like any other, but... wtf? Also, most of the routes people take from the Suburbs into the city via car are entirely highway-based, so they're not going through any "slums" if you're thinking of, say, far West Philly.

Also, one of the key ways people commute from the burbs to the city - the regional rail lines - were still running during the strike. The strike primarily impacted people who live <i>and</i> work inside the city.

As for the strike itself, I wouldn't expect too many converts, though it won't help that we're on the verge of winter - I'd expect a lot more might convert if it had come in springtime, with more time in pleasant weather for people to keep going. As it is, even a short-term convert will be quickly tempted to return to their bus or subway to avoid the cold.

And if West Philly is what you mean by slum, you need to get out more. Large swaths of W. Philly are lovely places these days.