PHILADELPHIA — The 2025 Philly Bike Ride was my second. As far as I can tell, it was the same course as the 2023 edition. I really enjoyed it, especially since it didn’t rain this year.

Some general observations

• Philly Bike Ride has far fewer riders than DC Bike Ride. The vibe is a little more subdued as well. In DC, it’s feels really joyful. Philly, it’s fine. Perhaps the cooler temperatures contribute to the calmer atmosphere.
• I didn’t hear the Rocky music once. I’m calling this a win – I’m okay when events don’t ride the cliche.
• I clocked in at about 80 minutes, slower than DC. I figured I’d be faster since I’ve done so many rides of late and Philly seems flatter. Maybe it’s because we had more city streets and no closed freeways.
• I wish The Phanatic and Gritty were at the finish line. If I have to put up with E-A-G-L-E-S chants at random times, I should at least get to see the good mascots.
• Packet pickup should stay open until 8 p.m. I wasn’t able to get myself and my bike onto SEPTA until after 6:30 which made me late. Thankfully, there were still a volunteers around. I was third to last to get my packet.
• I really want to make this an annual event – family and friends, come with me!
• It’d be nice to have a phone camera that handles white balance better. I insist on getting the skyline in my post-race photo though.

Biking around Philly, after the ride

Like 2023, I biked around the city after Philly Bike Ride. This time I checked out the Schuykill Banks trail and tried to go kayaking.

Overall, Philly has decent bicycle infrastructure. There are bike lanes all over Center City and even in Southwest Philly, but they are unprotected. I don’t know that I saw a flexpost in the who city. So, I’d say they are several years behind D.C. on that front. It’s a start though. I felt reasonably safe during my rides.

I also biked over to Jim’s Steaks. Now that’s some good cross-training food!

Following my trip to Jim’s, I headed over to PATCO to catch a train over to Jersey so I could ride back across the Ben Franklin Bridge again.

Philly as a bike city

Overall, Center City has a fair amount of bike lanes and I found it fairly easy to get around on two wheels. That being said, most of the bike lanes are just markings and not otherwise separated. As the saying goes, paint ain’t protection. I feel like Philly is a good 5 years or so behind the DC, Alexandria and Arlington that front. I’m hoping they can can catch up.

There are organizations working towards better bicycling and through my Philly Bike Ride registration, I donated a few bucks to Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. Philly Bike Action may be more hands on working on bike lanes. Both had tables at the finish line.