Bicycle Coalition and AARP PA host a Vision Zero listening session at the YMCA in West Philly
Over the coming months, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and our partner, AARP PA, will host a series of listening sessions throughout West and North Philadelphia in order to gain a better understanding of the traffic issues local residents face in those areas.
The sessions will be facilitated by an independent, professional facilitator and will not be bicycle-centric, unless, of course, those in attendance make it such. Rather, AARP PA and the Bicycle Coalition are interested in hearing how folks feel about issues like crossing the street, getting to their train, and the many issues that come up living in areas along the city’s high-injury network.
“Crossing the street shouldn’t mean crossing your fingers,” says Yocasta Lora, AARP Pennsylvania’s Associate State Director for Outreach. “Every hour, pedestrians and other users of our roadways are killed because a street, crosswalk, or intersection is unsafe.”
AARP PA and the Bicycle Coalition—along with PECO, who have helped put together these events—believe it’s important for all voices to be heard as Philadelphia moves toward zero traffic deaths. What works for one neighborhood may not work for another, and we want to hear from as many residents as possible how they feel about their streets, and what they want from the City of Philadelphia.
As many know, AARP PA has been a huge partner in the Vision Zero Alliance, and is dedicated to safer streets to provide all people the option to age in place.
Adds Lora: “AARP supports Vision Zero and is committed to eliminating road fatalities and injuries on our streets and making Philadelphia a great place for all ages.”
These listening sessions have not yet begun, but we are in the process of working with numerous organizations throughout North and West Philadelphia to make sure all citizens’ voices are heard. The Bicycle Coalition and AARP will provide updates in the coming months and will be issuing a final report, put together by our independent facilitator, when the sessions are complete.