🚲 HB 140: PARKING PROTECTED BIKE LANES
A bill to legalize parking protected lanes in Pennsylvania had a hearing last month, which included testimony by Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia's executive director Sarah Clark Stuart among others. However, no vote has been called. There are a few parking protected bike lanes already, but these are only pilot programs. There is nothing to assure that these would be permanent.
You can help by asking local legislators to bring the bill up to vote! BCGP has provided an easy form to fill out--just add your own thoughts and press "Send"! If you want to know more, check out the Bicycle Coalition website.
🧺 JUNE MEETUP!
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an informal, in-person meet-up on June 2nd at 6pm over at Manayunk Crossing (next to the movie theater)! This is an outdoor, family-friendly event where we will provide updates on our recent campaigns. We will also be discussing mobility, safe streets, and access to transit specific to Northwest Philly neighborhoods.
This is an outdoor picnic-style meet-up. There's no built-in seating, so we encourage you to bring your own chairs and blankets. We will provide hoagies and a cooler with carbonated refreshments for everybody.
Support our ongoing efforts for a more sustainable, walkable, and bicycle-friendly Philadelphia! All contributions go to supporting elected officials and campaigns that shape the city.
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SURVEYS & EMAIL ACTIONS
PennDOT is conducting a survey for the I-95 Girard Interchange. This covers Allegheny Avenue south through the Interstate 676 Interchange at Race Street. Project sections GR5 and GR6 (covered in this survey) will rebuild northbound and southbound I-95 between Frankford Avenue and Race Street, make surface street improvements under and alongside I-95, and redesign PennDOT-owned spaces under and adjacent to I-95.
The City of Philadelphia is conducting a trail and sidepath maintenance study. Survey responses will assist the City in better understanding public priorities for the decision-making process regarding trail and sidepath maintenance.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks has a "Restore Community Land" petition available to sign. Unused land parcels that low-income neighborhoods have turned into community gardens and impromptu parks are being auctioned off at Sheriff Sale. Join the campaign to restore ownership to community land stewards and protect these sacred green spaces by signing the petition.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
Shelterforce / Affordable ADUs: How It’s Being Done
Block Club Chicago / All-Affordable Logan Square Apartment Complex Opens After Years Of Planning: ‘This Is Nothing Less Than A Day Of Resurrection’
The Atlantic / Four Years Among the NIMBYs
Bloomberg / Biden’s New Housing Plan: Fire Up the House Factories
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
New York Post / Albany reaches deal to keep NYC speed cameras running 24/7
Philadelphia Inquirer / Traffic deaths in Pa. and N.J. continued to rise in 2021. Nationally, fatalities hit a 16-year high.
Philadelphia Inquirer / Philadelphia History Museum died a slow death from a thousand cuts
EVENTS
Philadelphia Refinery Legacy Remediation / Evergreen Public Meeting: "Fate & Transport"
Tuesday, May 24, 6:00 PM (virtual)
Evergreen Resources Group, LLC (Evergreen) is hosting its 2nd quarter public meeting on Tuesday, May 24th at 6:00 PM. During this virtual meeting, participants will learn about the basics of "Fate and Transport," interact with others in breakout groups, and learn about updates on the legacy remediation (cleanup) of the Philadelphia Refinery.
How Electric Buses are Moving Cities: Developing a Roadmap to Scale
Tuesday, May 24 at 8 am EDT (virtual)
This two-part webinar series, based on the release of From Santiago to Shenzhen: How Electric Buses are Moving Cities report created by ITDP, examines the electrification of public bus systems, with the primary goal of decreasing carbon emissions from the transportation sector over the next decade. The How Electric Buses are Moving Cities series sheds light on how cities worldwide are embracing and deploying electric buses.
Fishtown Frankford Avenue Walk
Saturday, June 4, 3:00 PM EDT - 4:00 PM EDT
Frankford Avenue & Girard Avenue (outside Johnny Brenda's)
To commemorate ten years of pedestrian advocacy, Feet First Philly is hosting ten walks alongside Clean Air Council across Philadelphia. Join them and Fishtown Neighbors Association on a tour of pedestrian infrastructure on Frankford Avenue. The meet-up spot is an intersection that despite its heavy pedestrian traffic is hostile to all road users who are not in a vehicle. As we make our way up Frankford Ave., we will discuss the community-led improvements to Frankford & Thompson and Frankford & Belgrade. The tour will conclude at the infamous York Street Roundabout, and afterwards everyone is welcome to socialize with us at Philadelphia Brewing Company, a block up from the roundabout. Registration encouraged. Free.
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, CFPs
The City of Philadelphia is currently recruiting Vision Zero Ambassadors and offering a $1,000 stipend! Modeled after Indego Ambassadors, participants will spread the word about traffic safety, get input on messaging, and involve community members in shifting Philadelphia towards Vision Zero. Applications are due by the end of the day on Sunday, May 29. For questions about the program, contact Waffiyyah Murray at [email protected].
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee.
We're an all-volunteer grassroots organization advocating for safe and affordable transportation, abundant housing, and more and better public spaces. You’re receiving this email if you signed up via our website, attended one of our events, or supported one of our advocacy campaigns.
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