🥳 NO MORE BIKE LANE PARKING
Fulfilling a longstanding ask from 5th Square and other safe streets advocates, Council President Johnson and Councilmember Gauthier have introduced a bill to ban drivers from parking or stopping in any bike lane in the city.
See here for our thoughts on the bill and why this is a huge step forward for making our streets safer for all.
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee, organizing and advocating for better transportation, land use, and public space policies. Our work is made possible through the support of nearly 450 members donating anywhere from $5 to $25 a month.
🥳 NO MORE BIKE LANE PARKING
Fulfilling a longstanding ask from 5th Square and other safe streets advocates, Council President Johnson and Councilmember Gauthier have introduced a bill to ban drivers from parking or stopping in any bike lane in the city.
See here for our thoughts on the bill and why this is a huge step forward for making our streets safer for all.
Read more in the Inquirer: Philadelphia looks to ban drivers from stopping cars in bike lanes following high-profile deaths
👀 VISION FOR ROOSEVELT BLVD TOUR ON MONDAY
Join us this Monday 9/16 on a transit & walking tour to Roosevelt Blvd discussing recent improvements and the potential for rail transit.
Monday 9/16, 9am
$20, Lunch included
The tour will start and end at 17th and Race and will be led by Matt Wysong from OTIS, Pearl Hyunh of NECPA, and Jay Arzu.
💸 SEPTA FARE INCREASE
In the midst of a fiscal crisis after Harrisburg failed to secure a sustainable funding source for PA's public transit agencies, SEPTA has announced an upcoming fare increase.
The proposed fare changes include an increase in contactless fares from $2 to $2.50, bringing it up to the cash fare, as well as a restructuring of regional rail fares.
🚴♀️ BICYCLE COALITION GRAN FONDO ON SATURDAY
Join the Bicycle Coalition this Saturday morning for their first-ever Philly Gran Fondo — “Roll Wit It” — celebrating the region’s beautiful Schuylkill River, rolling hills, and unique culinary traditions.
Choose from three route options ranging from 15 to 75 miles roundtrip from Fairmount Park and help fundraise for their youth programs.
📖 BOOK TALK WITH ANNA ZIVARTS
On October 7th, 5th Square will be hosting author Anna Zivarts to discuss her newly-published book about adapting our transportation system for non-drivers titled When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency.
Pizza and drinks will be provided. A $10 donation is suggested. Check out the book and RSVP here.
🏙️ CENTER CITY OPEN STREETS SEPTEMBER SUNDAYS
Center City District recently announced a series of car-free open streets on Sundays in September. Stop by to see what our city can be when we prioritize people over cars.
📣 PUSH FOR SAFER STREETS
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🚲 47th St Bike Lane Petition
With the upcoming repaving of 47th St, Philly Bike Action is calling for traffic calming measures and the creation of a parking-protected bike lane along 47th St from Chestnut St to the Grays Ferry Bridge. Sign their petition here.
🚏 Support the Old City Bus Terminal
In the year since Greyhound closed its station on Filbert St, one million bus riders have been left stranded with no shelter. They had to contend with hazardous air quality, torrential downpours, and endless days of 90-plus degrees while often waiting hours for a delayed bus.
The proposed temporary bus terminal location in Old City would significantly improve conditions in the short term while a more permanent solution is pursued. Sign our petition supporting it here.
✍️ 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, harming our access to the waterfront, and destroying sports facilities. To make matters worse, PennDOT has been deceitful about its engagement efforts.
Join us in telling PennDOT that highway expansion has no place in the core of Philadelphia by signing our petition.
EVENTS
Bicycle Coalition Roll Wit' It Gran Fondo
Saturday September 14th, 7:00 am | 3250 Sedgley Drive
Join the Bicycle Coalition for their first-ever Philly Gran Fondo — “Roll Wit It” — celebrating the region’s beautiful Schuylkill River, rolling hills, and unique culinary traditions. Choose from three route options ranging from 15 to 75 miles roundtrip from Fairmount Park.
The Vision for Roosevelt Blvd Tour
September 16, 2024 at 10:00am – 2pm | 17th and Race
Join us on this transit and walking tour to Roosevelt Blvd with Dim Sum Lunch! We will discuss recent improvements and the potential for rail transit.
Philly Full Moon Ride
September 17, 8:44 PM | Art Museum Steps
The September Harvest Moon. The route will be anounced a day or two before the ride. Generally the ride will center around this time. Meet up will be generally 8:30PM and rolling 9PM. (the idea is to ride at night under the moon).
Bicycle Coalition Annual Gala & Awards Dinner
September 26, 5:30 to 9:00pm | Ridgeland Mansion in Fairmount Park
Join the Bicycle Coalition for its annual fundraising gala featuring cocktails, a three course plated dinner, an award ceremony, and silent & live auctions featuring unique cycling opportunities, bikes, gear, and surprises!
Delaware River Festival
September 28, 10 AM - 4 PM | Penn's Landing and Wiggins Park
A free family-friendly event on the Delaware River in Camden and Philly with environmental activities, boat rides, prizes, and water-centered learning.
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.
Fast Forward Philly
Tuesday, October 8th, 6pm | 1319 Walnut St
Join us for the 12th annual Fast Forward, a DesignPhiladelphia festival event! A lineup of presenters from various creative backgrounds will Fast Forward through 20 slides at 20 seconds each to answer one question: What's next for Philly?
November 8–9 | Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
The goal of the conference is to provide extensive discussion of new and innovative research in urban and regional economics. Previous editions have convened 40 or more economists from around the world to present, discuss, and participate in the workshop.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
-
fitlerfocus.com /
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
National Association of City Transportation Officials /
Councilmember O'Rourke's Office /
Friends of the Rail Park
City of Philadelphia
SEPTA
DVRPC
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.
Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5 or more.