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Debate over $5 million for protected bike lanes on Spruce and Pine divides speakers at budget hearing
Summary
Supporters of Vision Zero and protected bike lanes urged council to fund concrete barriers to protect cyclists and pedestrians; opponents called the $5 million proposal a misplaced boutique project and urged funds be used citywide for speed humps and other treatments.
Supporters and opponents of a mayoral proposal to spend $5 million on concrete-protected bike lanes on Spruce and Pine Streets made opposing cases to Philadelphia City Council during a public hearing on the FY26 budget.
Backers called the protected lanes a proven way to reduce crashes and save lives. "Concrete will save lives," said Matthew Wallach, who described motorists using bike lanes as unsafe shortcuts. Stan Horowitz, of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, said the expanded Vision Zero funding in the mayor’s proposal demonstrates the city's commitment to reach zero traffic fatalities and to fight climate change.
Opponents—including long-term residents, neighborhood activists and property owners—argued the targeted $5 million allocation would divert scarce Vision Zero dollars from higher-need corridors across the city. "This is not a Pine-Spruce problem," Lloyd Brotman said, noting citywide pedestrian and cyclist fatalities occur elsewhere. Several opponents suggested the money could fund speed humps, camera enforcement, or other traffic-calming projects in many council districts.
Some speakers who backed bike-lane safety nonetheless opposed the concrete-barrier design or the concentrated allocation. Debbie Zach Cohen said she supports the existing bike lanes but not the $5 million for concrete barriers; she urged redirecting funds to underserved neighborhoods with higher rates of traffic violence.
Supporters noted Spruce and Pine are high-use east–west bicycle corridors with tens of thousands of monthly rides and said protected lanes improve safety and encourage more people to cycle. "Protected and separated bike lanes increase safety," said Alex Rotor, who lives near Pine Street.
Council did not act on the funding request during the public-comment period. Testimony reflected a deep division among residents over equity and prioritization: whether to concentrate a high-visibility project in Center City or to disperse funding for lower-cost safety measures in the neighborhoods cited as having higher injury rates.
Council members and staff will consider the competing requests during the budget process; advocates on both sides said they would continue follow-up with council offices.
