Bicycling can be a form of exercise, recreation, or practical everyday transportation. Bicycles have been increasingly used for commuting and other forms of traversing densely populated areas because they are eco-friendly and often provide faster access than walking or driving. Philadelphia’s bicycling culture has increased dramatically in recent years: of the top 10 U.S. cities, Philadelphia is number one for commuters who ride their bicycles to work. 1.6% of the Philadelphia workforce bikes, a figure that is three time the national average. There are multiple organizations and clubs related to cycling in the Philadelphia area, for recreational, environmental, and competitive purposes. These organizations include The Bicycle Collation of Philadelphia, The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association, Philadelphia Ciclismo, and more.
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission, with the assistance of the Toole Design Group, is preparing a Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan for the City of Philadelphia. The plan will identify and help to prioritize strategies to increase the number and frequency of people walking and bicycling in the City by improving the connectivity, safety, convenience, and attractiveness of the pedestrian and bicycle networks. A plan for part of the city was released in 2010, and the Department of Public Health is financing the plan for the rest of the city.
PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future