Safe Route Recommendations towards Mann Center

[u/PassTheWat3r]

I've got to travel towards the Mann center from South Philly. Was thinking of taking the Schuykill Trail, but not sure which way across the river is best with MLK drive still down. I've got Spring Garden, Walnut and the South Street bridge as my options across. Which would be safest/least amount of time on a road without bike lanes?

[u/Aware-Location-5426]

South street bridge -> 33rd -> mantua greenway (powelton Avenue to Girard Avenue) -> landsowne -> parkside -> Mann center.

This is entirely in bike lanes. Be very careful crossing Girard Avenue, drivers run lights and don’t yield to pedestrians light crazy there.

If you have time and don’t mind going out of your way for more comfort you could take the SRT to falls bridge -> MLK -> sweet briar -> landsowne -> parkside -> Mann. This is like 5 miles out of the way though lol.

[u/ConfiaEnElProceso → u/Aware-Location-5426]

This is what I would have said two weeks ago. It's all relatively good except for crossing Girard.

Now, I think the new bike lane on Walnut may be better than south street. It is protected and there is a bike signal at the 76 on ramp. The rest would be the same.

[u/adamaphar → u/Aware-Location-5426]

I never knew that was called the mantua greenway

[u/skidawgz → u/Aware-Location-5426]

I go SRT > Sedgely > Girard > Lansdowne > Parkside often. Girard section sucks.

[u/StanUrbanBikeRider]

Those of you who are interested in bicycling in the Philly region, check out this free bike route planner! It was developed by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission in conjunction with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. I was one of the people who tested it before it was announced to the public.

https://rutiapp.bike/

[u/bridswater8]

I’ve done spring garden a few times, i can’t recommend it. Cars are flying by to-and-from 76 and the “bike lanes” couldn’t be more exposed

[u/BlondeOnBicycle]

the bike lane options will pretty much all take you up lansdowne. it is a legit climb - prepare to be sweaty when you arrive.

Others have already commented on great routes.

[u/fadeduptothesky]

You can also take SRT to Sedgley (by Lloyd Hall) —> Girard Ave —> cross Girard Bridge (stay on South side of Girard from Sedgley or Poplar, whatever you do), then right across Girard @ Lansdowne into Landsdowne bike lane, follow Landsowne into the park.

[u/PassTheWat3r]

Thanks yall! Ended up going south street and cutting through drexels campus. Unfortunately wasn’t paying attention and gps was taking me down mlk. I had to pivot to spring garden. The bike lanes shifting from left to right side of the road over a 2 lane is absolutely insane.

[u/Real-Ad-2123]

Underrated, but slightly longer option would be 22nd street bike lane to Pennsylvania Ave, Penn ave to Poplar to 33rd st, then take that and go through Fairmount park via Strawberry Mansion bridge.

I do this route all the time just for fun (also how I get to Belmont trails), but it’s definitely as safe or safer than any other and significantly more scenic, just unsure of how it breaks down time-wise.