by KYW's Steve Tawa

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is rolling out a report highlighting a bike parking shortage in the city, and what could be done to create more capacity.

Study author Sarah Clark Stuart says bike parking racks are needed everywhere -- on city streets, in public garages, outside businesses, and at major cultural, entertainment, and sports destinations:

"There's a parking shortage in Philadelphia for those who want to bicycle to work, those who go shopping or out for the evening."

Bicycle Coalition executive director Alex Doty says they got a permit from the Streets Department allowing them to take over an on-street parking space and set up a "bike corral" -- a bike rack -- at 16th and Chestnut Streets, across from the Art Institute of Philadelphia:

"When we see bikes parked up against trees, and parking three or four to a meter (pole), this indicates we need more bike parking at that location."

They've set up another bike corral at 40th and Walnut Streets, in front of the Bridge movie theatre.

Advocates say ample bike parking is an essential foundation to a bike-friendly, greener Philadelphia.

(File photo)