You are viewing 2 posts with the tag Manayunk Bridge Trail
Circuit Spotlight: Stuart Leon, Bicycle Crash Law Expert
When it comes to defending cyclists around the Greater Philadelphia region, Stuart Leon is the go-to guy. Stuart has been in bicycle crash law for nearly 30 years and works exclusively for bicyclists. When he’s not in the court room defending his clients, you can find him cycling on the Schuylkill River Trail with his wife and daughter. Here’s what Stuart had to say about his involvement with the Circuit Trails and bicycle safety:
Can you describe your connection to the Circuit Trails?
I've been riding from the Art Museum to Manayunk and Conshohocken since the late 1980's. I first learned about the Circuit trails through the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and have been a fan ever since!
What is your favorite trail?
I was overjoyed when the Schuylkill River Trail opened from Locust Street in Center City connecting me directly to Kelly Drive. I use that trail recreationally and for commuting every week – that’s probably my favorite. I value the safe and easy access to the trail at Kelly Drive instead of working my way over to and up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on the streets.
Are you a part of any cyclist groups?
I belong to the Philadelphia Bicycle Messenger Association. I attended the Manayunk Bridge opening with my cyclist group and am looking forward to the exciting kick-off event on April 15!
Can you discuss primary threats to bicycle safety?
As a lawyer working only for bicycle accident and crash victims, I see the worst case scenarios. The primary threats to a bicyclist's safety are the following:
- Distracted Drivers – Drivers are often distracted by their smart phones, using social media and texting, meaning they only give half their attention to the road and what is going on around them. When drivers are distracted, they can hit bicyclists in bike lanes and often don't even know how or why it happened.
- In-Road Obstacles – Slippery trolley tracks and deteriorated street surface also cause a lot of accidents. The trolley tracks coming in and out of South Philadelphia have been abandoned since 1993 and have caused several incidents for my clients. The Circuit Trails provide a reprieve from these threats, protecting riders from distracted drivers and obstacles in the road.
Where does your passion for the Circuit stem from?
I love the Circuit Trails because they are designed for the commuter and provide a safe path to many parts of the city and suburbs.
For more information about Stuart Leon and his Bicycle Crash practice, read the Bicycle Coalition Blog or check out his website.
Photo Credit: Suart Leon
A Look Back: 2015 Trail Development
It’s been a great year for trail developments in Philadelphia! The City of Philadelphia released the 2015 Philadelphia Trail Plan Update, which reflects the work in the past year of the Philadelphia Trail Committee and non-profit trail development partners.
As we move on to 2016, let’s take a look at last year’s notable accomplishments:
- 23 completed miles of trail between the beginning of the planning process in 2011 and the end of 2015!
- 4 miles of trail under construction, including a major link along the North Delaware Trail, the Baxter Trail and two sections of the Schuylkill River Trail
- 11 miles of trail in planning
- 19 miles of trail in preliminary or final design, including portions of the Tacony Creek Trail, Frankford Creek Greenway Phase 1 and 2 and K&T Trail Phases 1 and 2
Additionally, several notable projects were completed on the Circuit, including the Manayunk Bridge Trail that links bicyclists and pedestrians between Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties and the extension of North Delaware Avenue from Lewis Street to Orthodox Street in Bridesburg.
Lastly, let’s talk trail funding. The City of Philadelphia and trail development partners secured more than $14.5 million in state, federal and local funding for construction, design and planning studies for trail projects in 2015.
Click to read the full report: http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/plans/PDF/PhilaTrailPlan_2015Update.pdf.
We are looking forward to our continued Circuit Trails partnerships in 2016!
