In pursuit of our mission to promote bicycling as a safe and fun way for anyone to get around Greater Philadelphia, we advocate for consequential and equitable policy changes at the local, regional and state level. In 2022, the Bicycle Coalition and Transit Forward Philadelphia will be focusing our advocacy efforts on key decision-makers and agencies whose actions have a profound impact on bicycling and active transportation.
These are the policy changes we’re advocating for in 2022 (grouped by decision makers and/or agencies).
Mayor Kenney
- Approve the 3 lane paving reconfiguration for the entire length of Washington Avenue upon completion of community and council discussions
- Propose $2 Million for Vision Zero in the draft FY23 capital budget for the Streets Department, and $250K for Office of Complete Streets in the FY23 operating budget
- Propose $1 Million in a separate line item for Vision Zero maintenance in the Streets Department FY23 Capital Budget
- Increase funding for bus priority treatments and bus shelters/stops in the FY23 budget
- Increase funding for traffic calming in the FY23 Streets Department budget
- Complete 10 miles of new protected bike lanes in the City of Philadelphia’s High Quality Bike Lane network
- Rename Philadelphia Police Department’s Accident Investigation Division by replacing “Accident” with “Crash”
- Procure services to enable Dr. MLK Jr. Drive year-round weekend closures
- Install bollards that will protect the Eakins Oval bike lanes, especially the lane in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art apron
- Finish installation of flexible bollards and green paint on W. Spruce Street
- Fund Spring Garden Street Greenway‘s design & engineering, and program the project’s full construction cost on the PA Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
- Secure property right-of-way needed to build the Wissahickon Gateway. Advance the project through design & engineering to construction, and program the project on the PA Transportation Improvement Program for full construction
- Enter into an agreement to secure access to the Mule Bridge in Manayunk
- Pilot a change to sanitation pickup hours to avoid morning rush hours
Philadelphia City Council
- Approve package of bills that enables Dynamic Meter Pricing & Smart Loading Zones, Contractor Parking Permits, Commuter Benefits, and Camera-Based Parking Enforcement
- Pass ordinances to approve protected bike lanes as requested by Office of Transportation Infrastructure and Sustainability
- Pass a transit priority resolution
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- PA Senate: pass HB140 and send it to Governor Wolf for signature
- PA General Assembly: introduce statewide speed enforcement legislation
- PA General Assembly: pass legislation that defines Class 1 and 2 e-bikes as bicycles
- Governor Wolf: create and fund new full-time positions for Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinators in key PennDOT Districts
- Pass legislation to generate $1.65 billion dollars/year to replace Act 89’s funding for transit
State of New Jersey
- Governor Murphy: issue an Executive Order that adopts Vision Zero statewide and establishes a Vision Zero Task Force
- NJDOT: distribute all funding available via the IIJA including
- Spending at least 15% of HSIP funding on bike/ped, Complete Streets projects
- Using up to 5% of new TA Set Aside funds to expand technical assistance to program applicants and recipients
- NJDOT, NJDEP and the Governor’s Office: advance the creation of a statewide trail network
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
- Approve amendments to the NJ and PA Transportation Improvement Programs that program Surface Transportation Funds for Circuit Trails projects
SEPTA
- SEPTA KEY
- Implement an Institutional Pass program as part of the fare structure
- Install fare kiosks at both the front and rear door entrances of buses to allow all-door boarding
- Install new validators and implement mobile ticketing or payment system (ability to pay by credit card at different locations)
- Eliminate the transfer penalty completely, allowing for multiple transfers for free
- Bus Revolution
- Draft and finalize redesign recommendations that improve the bus riding experience (speed, frequency, reliability) for riders and don’t just increase ridership or save the agency money
- Pressure SEPTA to clearly articulate and be very transparent to the public about what the tradeoffs are and why they are important in order to prevent pushback from the public, operators/unions, and staff/elected officials