💔 TRAFFIC VIOLENCE CRISIS
This past Wednesday was an especially tragic day for traffic violence. A pedestrian on Allegheny Ave was killed in Kensington, a woman was left in critical condition by a hit-and-run in Germantown, and a pediatric oncologist killed while biking on Spruce St.
We are heartbroken and furious. Make no mistake, these deaths, these critical injuries, are fully preventable.
We need our city government to respond with real change and real investment in roadway safety. We want everyone to be safe whether they are riding a bike lane in Rittenhouse, standing on a corner in Kensington, or crossing a street in Germantown.
Since that day, at least three more Philadelphians were killed by motorists. A one-year old was killed in her stroller in North Philly while crossing the street with her mother and sister, a man was killed in a hit-and-run in Frankford on Aramingo Ave, and a woman was killed on 47th St while the street awaits safety improvements
🚲 TAKE ACTION TODAY
We real protected bike lanes on Spruce, Pine and Allegheny with permanent hardened barriers and an end to the dangerous practice of using these lanes for vehicle parking and loading. We demand more funding for Vision Zero.
1. ☎️ REACH OUT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS
Keep their phone lines HOT and their inboxes FULL.
- Use your own words & personal experience.
- Identify yourself as a constituent & include your name and address.
- Keep it short -- Two or three sentences is fine!
Council District 2 (map)
Council President Kenyatta Johnson
☎️ (215) 686-2070, (215) 686-3412, (215) 686-3413
📧 Email Link for District 2 Residents
Council District 1 (map)
Councilmember Mark Squilla
☎️ (215) 686-3458, (215) 686-3459
📧 Email Link for District 1 Residents
All Other Districts
📧 Email Link for All Other Districts
Mayor Cherelle Parker ☎️ 215-686-2181
Local RCO - Contact your local Registered Community Organization and ask that they issue a letter to the Mayor and Council with the ask for real protected bike lanes.
Share this Action - You can share using this link or forward this email
2. 📋 SIGN THE PETITION
The petition calls for real protected bike lanes and is co-sponsored by us, the Bicycle Coalition and Philly Bike Action. It will be hand-delivered to City Council and the Mayor's Office.
Starting at the Art Museum Steps and ending at City Hall
This Friday at 6 PM
🔰 LAND VALUE TAX PANEL + MEETUP
Next Tuesday, we are hosting our July Monthly Meetup which includes a panel discussion on Land Value Tax.
NEXT Tuesday, July 30th, 6 - 9 PM
Indy Hall, 709 N. 2nd St, 3rd Floor
Could taxing land more and buildings less -- the so-called land value tax (LVT) -- encourage homebuilding, and discourage holding and speculating on vacant or underused land?
Our organizers will be on hand to also update on our recent campaigns, including a discussion of our work on Vision Zero and how you can get more involved with us.
💳 SEPTA ROLLS OUT APPLE EXPRESS TRANSIT
Paying your SEPTA fare is becoming easier for Apple users as SEPTA has just rolled out Express Transit mode. This allows you to simply tap an Apple phone or watch to pay your fare without needing to unlock or turn on your device.
This news comes as SEPTA faces service cuts after not receiving the additional state funding that would have been necessary to preserve current service levels. We will continue to push to fully fund SEPTA so stay tuned for more opportunities to advocate for transit funding.
Want to help get better elected officials in office? Become a 5th Square member for as little as $5 per month.
🗞️ 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🛡️ Protect Vulnerable Road Users
In the wake of a tragic week of traffic violence, we are calling on our leaders to make our streets safer by installing permanent hardened barriers across our city's bike lanes. Sign the Bicycle Coalition's petition for safer bike lanes and contact your councilmember and Mayor Parker.
✍️ Historic District Petitions
5th Square opposes the proposed historic district in Washington Square West because we believe it will raise rents by restricting the development of new housing as well as increase costs for existing homeowners by making home repairs more complicated, expensive, and time-intensive. We are instead calling to preserve historically significant buildings with individual historic designations. Learn more and sign the petition.
🛣️ Stop I-95 Expansion
PennDOT is planning to expand I-95 in Center City and South Philly by adding lanes and new ramps. This will threaten the well-being of our neighborhoods by worsening air quality, increasing noise pollution, and harming our access to the waterfront.
Join us in telling PennDOT that highway expansion has no place in the core of Philadelphia by signing our petition.
EVENTS
League of American Bicyclists - Cycling Advocate Workshop
July 24 · 5pm - July 26 · 3pm | Venue TBA
The workshop will cover advocacy basics such as the history of bike advocacy, how to get organized, effective political engagement, making the case, coalition building, policy basics, funding, storytelling, equity and mobility justice, and more.
Philly Bike Action Safe Streets Now Ride
Friday, July 26 at 6:00 PM | Art Museum Steps
Ride through the city to City Hall to demand immediate safety improvements for pedestrians and people on bicycles.
NightCycle and Northwest Night Ride Ardmore Ride
Sat, August 10, 6:30pm meet, 7pm roll | Manayunk Bridge
Ride to Ardmore. Rock the bridge. Meet up at 5pm at the art museum for a ride to the ride. Actual ride meets at Manayunk bridge at 6:30pm, rolls at 7pm.
Take the Lane for Safe Streets Broad Street Ride
Wed, July 31, 7pm | Broad and Cheltenham
Meet at 6pm at McMichael Park for a pre-ride to the ride by Northwest Night Rides. Meet at City Hall to do half ride.
Panel on Land Value Tax + Meetup
July 30, 6:00pm – 9pm | Indy Hall 709 N 2nd St
Join us for a land value tax focused meetup with a panel discussion of experts, advocates, and policymakers. Pizza and drinks will be provided with time before and after for meet and greet.
Bikepacking Roots Mid-Atlantic Bikepacking Summit
August 23-26 | Confluence, PA
Bikepacking Roots is hosting a bikepacking summit along the GAP Trail in Confluence, PA. Join them for a summit that's all about building a vibrant community, exploring the stunning Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian landscapes, and making bikepacking accessible to everyone.
Philly Naked Bike Ride
August 25 | Route TBA
A FREE, no-registration-required ride, with thousands of naked (or bare as they dare) cyclists, riding together to promote fuel-conscious consumption, positive body image, mutual aid, and cycling advocacy!
NABSA Annual Conference
October 7-9 | Convention Center
The North American Bikeshare & Scootershare Association will be holding its annual conference in town which will serve as a cross-sector gathering space for shared micromobility professionals.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
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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