City Council is back in session after summer recess on Thursday September 5th. There are two in-person opportunities to testify for public comment that we are participating in.
- Whole City Council Meeting: September 5th, 9:15am-12pm
- Streets and Services Committee Meeting: September 17th, 10am-1pm
Public Testimony happens at the end of the City Council meeting. I would suggest arriving at City Hall between 10:30 am and 11am for 9/5 and between 11 am and 11:30am for 9/17. This guide will also be live updated here. If you have any questions, please reach out to Nicole@bicyclecoalition.org
Sign up here on this google form so we can track how many people will testify.
Instructions:
Step 1: Sign up to testify:
Speakers interested in making public testimony should call 215-686-2796 or email Elizabeth.McCollum@phila.gov by 3pm on the day prior to the public testimony session at which they wish to speak and submit the following information:
- Full name
- Callback telephone number where you can be reached
- Identify what you’d like to speak about: Vision Zero and Traffic Calming
There will be a bill number for 9/17, when we know it we will alert everyone to mention it in your emails/calls.
Send an Email to Donald Tippett Donald.Tippett@Phila.gov or Call 215-686-2796 for the 9/5 Public Comment
Send an Email to Jawad Pullin jawad.pullin@gmail.com or Call 215-686-3442 x 14737 for the 9/17 Streets and Services Committee meeting
Sample Email:
Subj: Public Testimony for City Council on 9/5 OR the Streets and Services Committee on 9/17
Hello my name is FULL NAME. And I would like to testify at the [City Council Hearing on 9/5 OR the Streets and Services Committee meeting 9/17] in regards addressing bicycle infrastructure and safety. I can be reached at PREFERRED PHONE NUMBER.
I look forward to hearing back from you soon regarding my testimonial.
Thank you,
YOUR NAME
Sample testimony that you can use to prepare your own testimony:
Hi my name is FULL NAME and I live in NEIGHBORHOOD. I am testifying in support of increasing funding for Vision Zero to upgrade the current bicycle lane network to include permanent protection using concrete.
After another tragic summer of avoidable traffic crashes I am calling on City Council to do your part and restore Vision Zero funding to $2.5 Million in FY25 with the plan to increase funding to $3M in FY26.
[CHOOSE A COUPLE POINTS FROM THE LIST BELOW]
- Since the pandemic, Philadelphia has seen a huge increase in people killed in traffic crashes, an increasing amount being people walking and biking.
- In order for the Vision Zero program to be successful, the city needs the funding to prioritize building safe infrastructure.
- Enforcement is an important part of Vision Zero but its purpose is to change the behavior of drivers tomorrow where infrastructure can change behavior today. In order to reach 0 traffic fatalities the City needs both enforcement and infrastructure.
- As a city that was once again rated the most walkable city in the country, our city has a long way to go to ensure our streets are safe for people walking.
- [Add your own personal comments]
Thank you to Council President and the rest of Council for your time and attention.