“The Last of the Summer Streets”

As the summer is coming to a close, people are starting to move indoors, going back to work and school. This summer has seen a number of events where people have taken over the streets, reclaiming their right to the typically car-dominated thoroughfares and enjoying the outdoors among neighbors and friends. With the rise in concern over gas prices and traffic congestion, people are becoming more aware of their local roads and of alternative modes of transportation. Walking and bicycling are two very low-cost modes of travel, but in order to commute this way, streets must be more hospitable to the slower-paced traffic.

Initiatives like “Summer Streets” in New York City and experimental car-free Sundays in Seattle are attempting to create a place where people can “play, walk, bike, and breathe.[1]” And if all goes well, these initiatives may become permanent and more initiatives may be created in the future. In Philadelphia, bicyclists are taking back the streets for one Sunday in September. In an effort that celebrates “the freedom of car-free Philadelphia streets,” the day-long event offers a number of course distances, including 10, 20, 35, and 50 miles. The Commerce Bank Bike Philly event will be taking place on Sunday, September 14. For more information, please visit: http://ridebikephilly.org/. Come out and join residents of the Greater Philadelphia area in taking back the streets and viewing the city from another perspective!

[1] http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/html/about/about.shtml