E-bikes hike bikeshare cost; Parallel parking contestants; Another measles death

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

Graffiti Pier peninsula
(Photo by @jim50tim)

Indego’s e-bike boom comes with a cost for Philly riders

About 70% of Indego’s fleet is electric, leaving some riders frustrated by extra fees and fewer traditional bikes at the dock.

“There is a pretty big price disparity in using the two,” said Jacob Russell, an organizer with Philly Bike Action. “If you’re expecting to use the regular bike, then it’s not available to you; you’re forced to pay the fee or change your entire subscription plan. I think that’s certainly pretty unfair.” Continue reading…

Indego bikes at a docking station in Philly. (File photo/Billy Penn)

Meet some of the contestants in Saturday’s parallel parking competition on South Street

Fifteen pros and amateurs will test their parking skills in the inaugural edition of the Philadelphia Parallel Parking Authority’s competition.

Some had experience. Some had swagger. All of them wanted to prove they were the city’s best parallel parker. We spoke with four of the contestants to get an idea of their skillsets and motivations for the tournament. Continue reading…

Philadelphia Parallel Parking Authority mascots Parallel Pete and Curbie (center), and competitors One-Shot Mar (from top left, clockwise), Mary Zheng, Nemesis and Dark Transit.

BP Quizzo Question of the Day

The first real labor union was formed in Philadelphia in 1794, among what kind of workers?

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• A 5th person in Pennsylvania has died after contracting measles as cases statewide reach a record high. [WHYY]

• Not sure if you’re vaccinated against measles? Here’s how to find out. [PhillyVoice]

• Philadelphia School District teacher and activist Hannah Gann lied for years about her background. The social justice groups around her paid a price, one dissolving and one going on hiatus. [Inq$]

• Philadelphia’s state test scores are delayed by more than a month. Middle schoolers are fed up. [Chalkbeat]

• PennEnvironment and Drexel University researchers found microplastics in more than 20 waterways across the watershed. [WHYY]

• WHYY finalizes deal with Penn State to take over and operate WPSU, saving public PBS, NPR affiliate from likely closure. [WHYY]

• Pope Leo Village: In Brewerytown, students turn vacant properties into affordable homes for first-time buyers. [WHYY]

Celebrate Philly’s finest at the Billies!

Join us for Billy Penn’s 12th annual Billies Awards from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at WHYY Studios!

We’ll honor the people and groups making Philly better — with food, refreshments and plenty of hometown spirit.

Admission is free with an RSVP. Optional donations support WHYY’s community programs. The Billies are supported in part by Every Voice, Every Vote.

Sign up to attend the Billies →

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Thursday.

Highlights from Billy Penn’s City Guide

Finding the Forgotten Bottom of Grays Ferry
Once cut off from the Schuylkill by industry, railroads and highways, this secluded corner of Grays Ferry is opening up to the river—even as residents grapple with who gets to shape what comes next.
How to get a library card in Philly (and everything you can do if you get one)
The Free Library of Philadelphia has tons of resources beyond just books — from banjos to virtual homework help — and getting a library card is the first step to being able to use all of them.

ON THE CALENDAR

DesignPhiladelphia Festival kicks off,
Shop small Fridays at Jabali Market,
Smokin’ Joe Frazier Run, Walk, Roll (Saturday),
the 20th annual PAWS Mutt Strut (Saturday)
AND MORE!

See the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!