Philadelphia Transportation Firsts
To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and Philadelphia’s central role in our nation’s founding, each month of 2026 we are sharing a Philadelphia Transportation First.
This month we took a dive into the Department of Records’s photo archive to find examples of our traffic safety history in Philadelphia. While there are no photos of the first vehicle crash in Philadelphia, we do have record of a notable crash into City Hall Station. You read that right—in October of 1961, a driver crashed into the entrance to the Broad Street Line at City Hall. Today we have bollards to prevent this.
The City has been making safety improvements throughout our transportation history. In 1949, trolley boarding islands with flashing beaons were installed on East Erie Avenue at the intersection with I St.
Have you seen our traffic safety messages at bus shelters and on the back of SEPTA buses? Those messages are certainly not the first traffic safety campaign the City has done. On December 15, 1954 and December 1, 1955, the City of Philadelphia participated in a national Safe Driving (S-D) Day with the goal of a “24 hour period with no accidents”. As you can see in the images below, those focused messaging periods had limited impact. Vision Zero works toward a future with zero fatalities every day by implementing the Safe System approach, integrating safe roadway design with effective education and enforcement.
Aggressive Driving and Enforcement
Aggressive driving is one of the top contributing factors to fatal and serious injury crashes in Philadelphia. On June 26, 2026, the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s (PPA) Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras began enforcing the speed on Route 13 from Morrell Avenue to Roosevelt Blvd. This segment includes Frankford Ave, Levick St, and Robbins St. Cameras have been placed using a strategic, data-driven approach to enforce the rules of the road. Currently, ASE is being installed along the remainder of Route 13 in Philadelphia. The remainder of Route 13 includes Baltimore Ave, N 38th St, Powelton Ave, N 34th St, Girard Ave Bridge, N 33rd St, Ridge Ave, and Hunting Park Ave. This segment will begin its warning period this summer after construction is completed.
Local and state enforcement agency partners are also focusing on aggressive driving this summer. Between July 6 through August 16, PennDOT is funding an Aggressive Driving Enforcement Wave. Municipal and state police are participating in enforcement efforts focusing on heavy truck violations, pedestrian safety, red light running, speeding, and tailgating.
E-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motos, oh my!
In Philadelphia, people travel in every way imaginable – and this includes e-bikes and e-scooters. While these can be convenient ways to get around, it is important to remember that using these makes you a vulnerable road user and can make travelling more dangerous for pedestrians if used incorrectly. You must plan for your safe travel and for the safety and comfort of everyone else on the road. Using these vehicles safely means:
- planning before you go,
- wearing a helmet,
- moving predictably,
- and travelling at safe speeds.
Do not ride on sidewalks. Use bike lanes and side paths when they are available. Ride with the direction of travel. Follow the rules of the road.
Motor scooters are heavier and move faster than e-bikes or e-scooters. Motor scooters are sometimes referred to as e-motos, and sometimes incorrectly referred to as e-bikes. Motor scooters require registration, insurance, and a Class M or Class C license. E-motos are not permitted in bicycle lanes, trails, or sidewalks. Wear a helmet when riding a motor scooter.
Riders operating on public roadways are subject to the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and are required to obey the same traffic laws as other roadway users, including traffic signals, stop signs, lane usage, and right-of-way requirements. For more information on the Pennsylvania rules and requirements for micromobility and e-mobility devices, and to determine if your device is legal to use, review the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) PA Micromobility Information Sheet.
Developing Crash Modification Factors
The Vision Zero Action Plan includes Action Item 3.1 “Develop crash modification factors.” This past March, Yihong Hu (Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems), Ariel Ben-Amos (Philadelphia Water Department), and Erick Guerra (University of Pennsylvania) published The Effects of Curb Extensions on Traffic Crashes and Injuries. This research analyzed 94 treated intersections and 269 control intersections installed between 2013 and 2023 and the respective crash data from 2012 to 2024. Findings suggest that a single curb extension may reduce collisions and injuries but that additional studies are needed from fully treated intersections.
Grants
The following grants have been awarded recently. This funding will support transportation projects that make it safer for everyone to get around.
- Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI)
- Transportation Facility Master Plan (Streets) - $200,000
- Cobbs Creek Trail Extension (PCPC) - $150,000
- Regional Trails Program (RTP)
- Cobbs Creek Trail Phase B2– $129,913
- Ivy Ridge Trail– $200,000
- Schuylkill River Trail – Mule Bridge– $38,587
- Schuylkill River Trail – Wissahickon Gateway – $284,300
As the Safe Routes Philly team is preparing for the next school year, we are also getting ready to say goodbye to our Safe Routes Philly VISTA, Luca Johnson. Luca joined the Safe Routes Philly team as a Serve Philadelphia VISTA in August 2025 and since then, has elevated the program to reach more students than ever before. Some highlights of Luca’s year include supporting the organization of Philly’s first Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, the development of 2nd and 3rd grade Safe Routes Philly basics lessons, and relationship building with new schools across the city. Learn more about Luca’s work in this blog from the Serve Philadelphia team.
Partner Updates
Indego
Hot Tips to Stay Cool This Summer!
- Drink plenty of fluids before and after your ride
- Wear a hat or helmet, sunglasses, and put on sunscreen
- Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours as much as possible
- Cool off at a pool or sprayground
- Indego Riding Basics Class at Parkway Central Library
2-4pm, Saturday, July 25th - Pedal for Peace Group Ride with the 12th & 16th PPD
10am-12pm, Sunday July 26th - Pedal for Peace Group Ride with the 12th PPD
10am-12pm, Saturday August 8th
Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development (DPD)
Visit MY Market East, the Market East Revival’s engagement hub! Find out how the City is reviving Market East and share your opinion. This is a City-run storefront at 932 Market Street – inside the Meantime on Market activations – where the public can drop in to find out about the Revival. Talk to a city planner, complete a survey, and submit your own idea for “MY” Market East. Information collected here will inform the Market East Advisory Group’s strategy to revive the street. More information at marketeastrevival.com.
MY Market East
932 Market Street
July 15-31
Wed/Thu/Fri, 12-6 PM
Safe Routes Partnership
Apply for a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini grant! This annual celebration honors Ruby’s courage and highlights the importance of anti-racism, kindness, and community connection. Mini-grants of $500 and $1,000 will be available to support local celebrations. Learn more and apply at saferoutespartnership.org.
If you are interested in attending the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day webinar to learn more about this opportunity on August 26 at 2pm, register here.
Application Period: Tuesday, July 7 – Friday, September 4, 2026, 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Upcoming Events
These events include those hosted by OTIS, as well as events joined by OTIS staff or Vision Zero Ambassadors to share information about Vision Zero with the community.
- July 25, 2026 – Unity in the Community
10-4 pm, Vare Recreation Center (1700 Block of S 26th St) - July 25, 2026 – Jazzing on Ridge
12-6pm, 2200 Ridge Avenue - July 28, 2026 – Chinatown Stitch Market & Movie Celebration
5-9 pm, Chinatown Community Park (227 N 11 ST)
Vision Zero in the News
Philadelphia 
Philly’s e-bike and e-scooter boom comes with a more dangerous price than traditional cycling (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Speed cameras on Frankford Avenue will begin issuing fines (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Pedestrian, cyclist deaths make up larger share of Philadelphia’s traffic fatalities (WHYY)
The City of Philadelphia Unlocks Federal SS4A Funding to Improve Market East Streetscapes (City of Philadelphia)
Predatory towing is alive, well, and totally awful (The Philadelphia Citizen)
Philadelphia’s Zero Fare Transit Pilot Program (Urban Institute)
PennDOT, safety partners announce plan to reduce number of aggressive driving crashes in Philly area (6abc)
2 years after a CHOP doctor was killed riding her bike, loved ones commemorated her (Philadelphia Inquirer)
What We’re Reading 
Report Shows Yet Another Benefit to Congestion Pricing: Faster Emergency Response Times (Streetsblog NYC)
When Bicycles Become Motor Vehicles: A Public Health Reckoning For The E-Bike Era (HealthAffairs)
Vision Zero Jobs
School Crossing Guard, Streets Department
Crossing Guard Supervisor, Streets Department
Join the Conversation
Vision Zero aims to eliminate all traffic deaths and severe injuries on Philadelphia streets www.visionzerophl.com. Follow OTIS on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and help us share safety messages with your networks using the hashtag #VisionZeroPHL.
Do you have events, accomplishments, or calls to action to share with the Vision Zero Task Force, subcommittees, and community? Send your updates for next month’s newsletter by Friday, August 7 to Virginia Lynn at virginia.lynn@phila.gov.