Bicycle group says lanes have increased traffic

The number of bicyclists using Pine and Spruce Streets in Center City has nearly doubled since temporary bike lanes were added in September, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia.

Volunteers measured bike traffic at four intersections before and after the traffic stripes were added to transfer a car lane's worth of asphalt to bicyclists. According to the coalition, westbound bike traffic on Spruce rose by 85 percent while eastbound traffic on Pine grew by 112 percent.

If the new bike lanes pass a municipal review this month, the city may consider upgrading them, perhaps with colored asphalt, when the thoroughfares undergo scheduled resurfacing next summer.

The results of the bike lane project will be presented by the city Planning Commission and the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow at Levitt Auditorium, University of the Arts, 401 S. Broad St. - Sam Wood