SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Electric City is in the midst of a full makeover. New sidewalks, changing traffic lights to stop signs, and now even bike lanes are popping up in the downtown.
The average ride for a cyclist, no matter the distance, can be incredibly dangerous, but the addition of bike lanes to downtown Scranton could help with that.
There’s a new view for cyclists riding in downtown Scranton on Wyoming Avenue. After years of anticipation, bike lanes are being painted on the road.
They are on both sides of one section of Wyoming Avenue, giving drivers and cyclists their own space for a short distance. It’s part of the streetscapes project specific to this road.
One cyclist says investment on any scale is thrilling.
“I’m happy that it’s here. I know a lot of people are frustrated, change is always difficult. I think we just need to continue to push forward and give it a try,” Anthracite Bicycle Coalition President and Board Chair, Gene McDonough, said.
McDonough has years of experience cycling, and with that comes many stories of dangerous situations.
He said, “It can be scary. On the ride here, I had two people run stop signs and pull out right in front of me. That’s commonplace when riding a bike.”
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In 2025, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reported 28 bicyclist fatalities and more than 1300 injuries statewide. McDonough himself has been injured while riding.
“I can tell you, I’ve been hit twice a block from here, both at the same corner and both times by a vehicle changing lanes unbeknownst to me. No blinker, came over two lanes, cut me off, and ran me into a car,” McDonough explained.
He said more accidents go unreported, too. So, by creating space on the road specifically for cyclists, they can ride safer, even if it comes with some initial frustration from others.
“Some people say we don’t need bike lanes, others say we do. I think the majority of people in the long run will see the joy of getting on a bike, getting out here, getting on the streets, it’s a little bit scary the first time, but once you get used to it, it’s second nature,” McDonough said.
The Anthracite Bicycle Coalition is already planning routes to use the bike lanes and are eager for more to be painted.
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