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You are viewing 7 posts with the tag Biking

Help Greater Philadelphia Become More Bike-Friendly

Last year's launch of the CyclePhilly smartphone application provided a valuable glimpse into the bicycling habits of Greater Philadelphia. From May to October 2014, hundreds of bicyclists used CyclePhilly to record thousands of trips, allowing DVRPC planners to see where people rode (to the closest intersection) and why. The app automatically mapped all of the routes, which can be broken down by trip purpose.

Check out the CyclePhilly 2014 data summary and stay tuned for information about exciting app updates that are in the works.

If you missed using the app last year, you have another chance to inform future bicycle infrastructure investments. Urban, suburban, and rural cyclists are all encouraged to participate. Simply download the CyclePhilly app today, press record, and go. Log a trip between now and October 2015 and you could win a GoPro camera!

Ride. Record. Reimagine your Routes with CyclePhilly at www.cyclephilly.org.


Tips for all Beginner Runners and Cyclists

1. Hydration is key - During these hot and humid summer days, drinking water is the simplest and most important tip of all. Runners should drink two cups of water prior to running and one cup of water every 30-minutes. Dehydration can have negative effects on performance and recovery, and poses a huge threat to one’s overall health. If you can, plan your exercise for the early morning or evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day.

2. Looking good = Feeling Good- Ever look at runners or cyclist in magazines and think to yourself, “their workout gear costs more than my entire wardrobe!”? Well yes, some top of the line gear could put a dent in your paycheck, BUT being too stingy with your workout gear can hurt you. I hate to say this, but toss aside your oversize college t-shirts and discounted sneakers and trade them in for appropriate apparel.  Gear does matter for performance. Blisters, chafing, sweat build up, and joint problems are all common issues that arise from wearing improper workout gear. Stay away from cotton, avoid rough fabrics and make sure your shoes provide proper support. If you’re looking for new workout gear, make sure to check out North Wales Running Co and if you're looking for bike gear or repairs, there are several options for you including Breakaway Bikes, Bicycle Therapy and Fairmount Bicycles.

3. Stretch it out- Some of the most common injuries occur because people don’t stretch after a workout. Sometimes after a long bike or run all you want to do is sit down and relax, but relaxing can wait. Stretching helps reduce tightness and possible injuries. It is best to stretch for 10-15 minutes after a short warm up period and again at the end of a workout. Then you may fall to the ground and take a nap.

4. Team up for success- Working out regularly is not an easy task. Often times life gets in the way and forces us to pass on that run or bike we had planned. Finding a group of buddies to exercise with can help motivate you to get moving. Follow a beginning running plan that sets realistic goals for you and your group. Check out The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia or Philadelphia Runner for a list of biking/running groups and lessons in the area.

5. Don’t Overdo It- We all want to be able to run or bike miles at a time without feeling like we are going to pass out. Don’t worry, you will one day! But first stick to a solid, comfortable pace and don’t do too much, too soon. By building up to your goal slowly, you will save yourself a lot of frustration and pain in the long run (pun intended). 


Lawrence Hopewell Trail Urges Bike to Work Day

Calling all Mercer County residents! The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Board of Trustees is urging workers to leave their car keys at home tomorrow in recognition of national Bike to Work Day; and instead hop on their bikes to commute to work. Trustees of the 22+ mile cycling and walking loop through Hopewell and Lawrence Townships ask their neighbors to consider alternative transportation to work. 

That’s not all they are asking! Bicyle enthusiasts are encouraged to do one more thing: take a selfie and share it with others (while being safe!). Ways to share your photos:


Don’t forget to use the hashtag #Onthecircuit if you take the trails to work and share photos! 


DVRPC Shares Data, Revealing Which Philly Streets Cyclists Use Most

CyclePhilly – an app produced by Code for Philly, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, DVRPC, Septa and the City of Philadelphia – logs voluntarily-shared cyclist trip data. DVRPC recently released six months of that data, revealing which routes cyclists like best. The data was gathered from 220 unique CyclePhilly users and 8,340 individual trips.

Some highlights include:

Activity Number of Trips         Top Philly Street
Total Trips 866 Spring Garden, between 9th & 10th
Commuting 672 Spring Garden, between 6th & 7th 
Doing Errands             68 Pine, between 15th & 17th 
Exercise 65 Schuylkill River Trail, between Art Museum & 25th
Social  99 Spring Garden, between 9th & 10th 

Read the full article on Plan Philly here to learn more about the app and what’s in store for the future of biking in Philadelphia: http://planphilly.com/articles/2015/05/06/dvrpc-releases-new-cyclephilly-data-on-which-streets-cyclists-use-most


Phoenixville Community Celebration On SRT Trail: April 25

Calling all Phoenixville-area community members!  This weekend, you are invited to head downtown to for a whole host of family fun events on and around the new two-mile trail segment of the Schuylkill River Trail. Activities include everything from a bike tour along the new trail, a bike check and a complementary bike helmet fitting station to live music, chalk and plein air art (painting outdoors!) and more. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the Walking Bridge at the Foundry and the Phoenixville Farmer’s Market. For more information, visit http://www.schuylkillrivertowns.com/new-events/2015/4/25/phoenixville-trail-opening-celebration


Area businesses welcome Indego bike share docking stations

As reported by the Philadelphia Business Journal, Philly’s bike share program is a welcome addition in Old City.  Read more here about how Smak Parlour boutique owners are happily anticipating an Indego bike dock in front of their shop.


Recent Study Reveals Philadelphia Among Top Cities for Biking

Philadelphia was recently ranked the 10th most bike-friendly city based on the percentage of commuters who bike to work, the number of on-bike fatalities and ongoing infrastructure improvements to support bikers, according to survey results from BetterDoctor.

Some interesting statistics revealed the following:  approximately 2.14 percent of Philadelphia’s commuters bike to work;  there are 2.3 fatalities per 10,000 commuters; the city’s federal transportation funds obligated to bike and pedestrian projects are $6.91 per capita; and Philadelphia has an overall biking score of 57.21 out of 100.

The top five cities for biking included Portland, Ore.; Washington D.C.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Oakland, Calif.; and Sacramento, Calif.

Find more data results at the Philadelphia Business Journal