Philadelphia residents are advocating for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians in the city by calling for protected concrete bike lanes and parking reform. Recently, demonstrators gathered outside City Hall to deliver a petition with almost 6,000 signatures and 4,000 comments to Mayor Cherelle Parker and City Council President Kenyatta Johnson.
The protest was organized by groups like the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and Philly Bike Action, with speakers sharing stories of the tragic loss of Dr. Barbara Friedes, a Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia resident who was killed by a drunk driver while riding her bike on Spruce Street.
Despite the well-planned petition delivery, the process did not go smoothly. When a small group of petitioners entered City Hall to deliver the petition, they were initially denied access upstairs until press and cameras were mentioned. Even then, they were met with silence and indifference from City staffers.
Nicole Brunet, policy director of the Bicycle Coalition, tearfully read a comment from the petition aloud before leaving it on a table in the hallway. Eventually, a representative for the Mayor retrieved the petition.
Activists have criticized Mayor Parker for defunding Vision Zero initiatives for road safety and eliminating traffic fatalities. On the other hand, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson is in support of legislation to restore a million dollars back to Vision Zero funding.
The Bicycle Coalition is advocating for a meeting with Council President Johnson to discuss these issues further, and they are hopeful that legislation to transfer funds back to Vision Zero projects will be introduced when the City Council resumes sessions in September.