Last month was an eventful one for VZ Philadelphia! This past month, Vision Zero celebrated a renewal of its goal of zero traffic deaths. Mayor Parker enthusiastically signed a new Executive Order reaffirming Philadelphia’s commitment to eliminating traffic deaths. Mayor Parker also directed the administration to create a new High Injury Network as well as teaching the Safe Routes Philly curriculum to every child in the city.
In other exciting news, the Bicycle Coalition hosted the annual Vision Zero conference at Temple University where City officials including Managing Director Adam Thiel, Streets Commissioner Kristin Del Rossi and Councilmembers Anthony Phillips, Jamie Gauthier, and Rue Landau spoke to the group alongside many traffic safety and community experts. The group discussed the present state of Vision Zero in Philadelphia and what to be excited about in the future.
Program Updates
New Executive Order
On March 21, Mayor Cherelle Parker signed a new executive order recommitting Philadelphia to the goal of reaching zero traffic deaths. The announcement was made at the 2024 Vision Zero PHL Conference. This new version of the executive order directs the re-branded Office of Multimodal Planning and the Vision Zero Task Force to deliver a roadway network that reflects the Mayor’s commitment to a clean, green, and safe city.
The new order builds on the goals laid out in the original 2016 Vision Zero Executive Order and updates them to respond to current crash trends and other needed changes, which includes creating a new High Injury Network (HIN), setting the new goal of programming safety improvements to every mile of the High Injury Network by 2030, and working with the School District to educate students about traffic safety.
Vision Zero Conference
On the weekend of March 22nd, The Bicycle Coalition hosted the Vision Zero Conference at Temple University. At the event elected officials, industry experts and community leaders all met and discussed what’s being done now as well as what the future holds for safe, inclusive transportation here in Philadelphia. A recap of the event can be found here.
National Bike to School Day
This coming Wednesday May 8th is National Bike and Roll to School Day! Instead of taking the bus or being dropped off, rethink your trip to school by biking, scootering, or walking to class. You can learn about events planned in your community or create your own event on National Walk and Bike to School Day’s website found here; or contact Safe Routes Philly at saferoutesphilly@phila.gov.
Grants
In other exciting news, the City of Philadelphia is continuing to secure discretionary Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) money to fund traffic safety projects! Philadelphia has secured hundreds of millions of dollars from the BIL already, including $46.4 million from the first two rounds of the Safe Streets for All grant program, $78 million for the Route for Change plan for Roosevelt Boulevard from the Mega grant program, $25 million for North Philadelphia School Slow Zones from the RAISE grant program and – just last month – $159 million for the Chinatown Stitch plan to cap the Vine Street Expressway from the Reconnecting Communities grant program.
The new additional funding will be dedicated toward a series of projects that calm driver speeds, make more space for people walking and biking, and encourage use of public transportation.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday May 8th: Join Vision Zero for National Bike and Roll to School Day! Students are encouraged to use active modes of transportation like biking to get to school. For more information you can check out Walk & Bike to Schools’ website, Walk & Bike to School (walkbiketoschool.org) or contact Safe Routes Philly at Saferoutesphilly@phila.gov.
Friday, May 17: Bike to Work or Wherever Day. Save the date and keep an eye out for information on group rides from your neighborhood.
Partner Updates
DVRPC:
Bicycle Cyclical Count Program Story Map – The Bicycle Cyclical Count Program story map analyzes bicycle volumes from 2014-2022 to help uncover trends in cycling behavior and inform policy decisions and future bicycle infrastructure investments.
Impacts of E-Commerce – This report explores strategies and considerations for accommodating new forms of distribution activity to assist the region and municipalities as they plan for new patterns of development and accommodate shifts in retail activity.
Indego:
Indego and the City of Philadelphia are now offering Wheels to Work—a free, 4-week virtual course that provides lessons on building your resume and LinkedIn, as well as building cycling skills for riders both old and new! Learn more about the Wheels to Work program and apply to participate here!
PennDOT:
95 CAP Project: Major demolition is now complete. Additional project details, construction updates, project detours, and other information are available at https://95revive.com/ and parkatpennslanding.com.
Bicycle Coalition:
This month the Bicycle Coalition co-hosted Vision Zero PHL 2024! This years’ conference was the best attended in its 10-year history.
Mario D’Adamo III Esq. was struck and killed while riding his bike in FDR Park in August of 2023. Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia, Friends of FDR Park, and the family of Mario will be hosting an event in honor of what would have been Mario’s 38th Birthday and to place a ghost bike for Mario at the crash site. RSVP is requested. More Info and RSVP here.
Vision Zero in the News
- Mayor Parker signs executive order recommitting Philly to reaching zero traffic deaths on eve of Vision Zero (msn.com)
- Feds Seek to Heal Community Scars from Interstate Highways (governing.com)
- Washington Avenue in Philly is safer, more efficient after redesign, report says (inquirer.com)
Join the Conversation
Vision Zero aims to eliminate all traffic deaths and severe injuries on Philadelphia streets by 2030, while increasing safety, health, and mobility for all. To learn more about Vision Zero, visit www.visionzerophl.com. Follow OTIS on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and help us to 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 and subcommittees? Send your next month’s updates by Wednesday, April 10th to Cole Appelman at nicholas.appelman@phila.gov.