Philadelphia Uses Stimulus Funds to Make Philadelphia More Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly

Mayor Nutter Announces New Programs to Build Multi-Use Paths, Educate School Children on Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety and Finish Master PlanrnPhiladelphia, PA. – In celebration of National Bike to Work Day on May 21, Mayor Michael A. Nutter will announce today several programs funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that his Administration is working on to help make Philadelphia more bicycle friendly at an 8am press conference at Dilworth Plaza following his bike ride to work from the Art Museum steps.rnPhiladelphia/Camden is one of 51 communities that received a highly competitive TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for $23 million to build multi-use paths. The Streets Department is over-seeing the $17.2 million that Philadelphia will receive to fill critical gaps in the walking and biking paths along Philadelphia’s riverfronts, expanding active transportation choices. Philadelphia also received a multi-million dollar grant from the Center for Disease Control to fight obesity. The Department of Health is devoting $600,000 to fight obesity by promote an active lifestyle and the planning and infrastructure to support walking a biking. A new safety program administered by the Bicycle Coalition will teach all Philadelphia Public School second graders and fifth graders about safe walking and biking. The Planning Commission will be using funds to complete a city-wide master Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan to facilitate better bicycling and pedestrian facilities.rn“Philadelphia is taking full advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help make Philadelphia more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. These programs are creating jobs, building infrastructure, fighting obesity and creating a more livable and economically competitive region.”rnAlex Doty, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia congratulated Mayor Nutter for working so hard to win federal dollars to make the region more sustainable. “Philadelphia is now in a better position to transform itself into a City where people can safely bicycle and walk to work, school and all kinds of short trips.”