Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Bicycle Coalition Center City Town Hall is TOMORROW! Your voice matters. Speak with BCGP staff and community members on the state of on-road safety, trail development, and our education and policy efforts in the region at our Center City Town Hall. Be a part of shaping a better biking future in Philly. RSVP through the link: https://give.bicyclecoalition.org/event/center-city-town-hall/e610035
Bucks County and Main Line town halls to be announced.

Last weekend, Chester County Commissioners celebrated funding for trails over the weekend with a ride that highlights the future of the growing Circuit network.🌱🚲 With a total investment of over $200 million planned for the network via DVRPC's new transportation plan (TIP), Greater Philadelphia is now leading the U.S. in using federal Carbon Reduction Program funds to enhance active transportation! We're extremely excited for these investments in walking and biking infrastructure that makes a difference to the health of people and the environment.

Yesterday, August 15th, advocates and loved ones delivered almost 6,000 petitions and 4,000 unique comments from individuals to Mayor Parker and Council President Johnson asking for protected bike lanes and Vision Zero funding. The chorus of calls from activists, families of crash victims, and concerned citizens call on City Hall to do more to protect pedestrians and bicyclists.

We want to thank our partners Philly Bike Action , 5th Square and Families for Safe Streets National and all of the volunteers for their dedication to making our streets safer for all who use them. While we are disappointed in the reception from the Mayor's Office at the petition delivery event, we look forward to working together towards our shared goals: a greener, cleaner, and safer Philadelphia with no more traffic fatalities. We will continue to advocate for safe streets all throughout the city and plan to engage more with City Council when the session begins again in September.

You can read more about petition delivery: https://bit.ly/3ArA5fL

While it seems that the shooting of 25-year-old bike rider, Kaishef Johnson, was a targeted hit, gun violence, and violence against cyclists has no place in our city and communities. Our hearts go out to the victims family and loved ones.

We're looking to hire a policy intern to manage our Fall 2024 Bicycle Counts.

More details here - https://tinyurl.com/2024bike-count-intern

Today marks the final practice of the Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling summer season ☀️🍦🚲! After today's ride, all three teams will be gathering at Sedgley for some well-deserved food and a celebration of their incredible accomplishments this summer. We're so proud of the BCYC All-stars ⭐ who cycled through the season and grateful to all the staff, support staff, and coaches who made it happen!

Huge shoutout to our amazing sponsors Piscitello Law and PICL for their vital contributions to developing and growing our mountain biking program and Philadelphia Foundation and Rapha for their continued support.

Follow Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling for exciting updates and adventures!

🌠 The Annual Gala & Awards Dinner celebrates Greater Philadelphia’s agents of change in the bicycling community, from youth athletes and their supporters to community organizers and advocates. 🌠 🚲 💚 This year, Camden County Commissioner Jeffrey L. Nash will accept the Connect the Circuit Award for their commitment to further develop the LINK Trail, a key component of the regional Circuit Trails network. We're also honored to present and with the I Bike PHL Award whose multi-regional reacing community of united riders began with 4 eager riders from northwest Philadelphia. Read more: https://bit.ly/3SORzci
We hope you will join us in celebrating these change makers on September 26th.

We're still seeking silent and live auction items! If you’d like to contribute a unique item or experience, please fill out the form at bit.ly/BCGPauction. Funds raised at the Gala support our year-round education and advocacy work on behalf of all people’s right to safe mobility.

As of this afternoon, the petition led in partnership with 5th Square, Philly Bike Action and Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia addressed to Mayor Parker, Council President Johnson, and all other members of Council has closed with nearly 6,000 signatures in support of fully protecting Philadelphia’s protected bike lanes with permanent concrete barriers 🎊 🎊 🎊

With that, what does a permanent protected bike lane look like? Our blog with more examples is available here: https://bicyclecoalition.org/prioritizing-safety-over-convenience-the-benefits-of-concrete-protection/

ATTN: PETITION CLOSES AT NOON. If you are a Philadelphia resident and haven't already signed the petition, view here: https://bicyclecoalition.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/component/sbxpetitions/35

** CORRECTION: Town Hall is on August 19 ** Your voice matters! Speak with BCGP staff and community members on the state of on-road safety, trail development, and our education and policy efforts in the region at our Center City Town Hall. Be a part of shaping a better biking future in Philly. RSVP through the link: https://bit.ly/46HO1hE
Bucks County and Main Line town halls to be announced.

Get ready to pedal through the picturesque landscapes of Philadelphia as we host the first-ever Philly Gran Fondo — "Roll Wit It" celebrating the scenic beauty of the Schuylkill River, rolling hills, and the unique culinary traditions of the region! 🚵‍♀️ 🌳 🥨

Join us September 14th for an exhilarating ride that begins and ends at Sedgley Porter House, the proud home of the Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling (BCYC) program. This event is a fundraiser aimed at supporting BCYC youth athletes. Sign up at the link: https://bit.ly/4fHFHTg

World Cycling Day is tomorrow -- how will you spend it? We'll be tabling at the Ardmore Rock N Ride, watching some great racing, enjoying the street fair, and listening to live music. It's free, family-friendly, and easily accessible by Regional Rail. Come check it out and stop by our table across from the bounce house to say hello!

Join the Bicycle Coalition, Philly Bike Action, 5th Square, and Families for Safe Streets of Philadelphia on Thursday, August 15th at 4 pm for a rally and press conference on the north side of City Hall before we deliver upwards of 6,000 petition signatures to Council President Johnson and Mayor Parker. RSVP at this link https://bit.ly/46CWkv3

We are holding the City accountable and making sure they know exactly what their constituents demand of them to keep our community safe: creating a permanent protected bike lane network and increased funding for Vision Zero.

Written petition signatures are now closed but we are still taking signatures digitally at until August 13th at bit.ly/PROTECTOURSTREETS

Indego's Single Ride Pass is back! 🚲 We broke down the bike share's pricing structure in our newest blog so you can decide the right plan or pass for your needs and answer other questions you may have like: Why are E-bikes so expensive? To pedal your way to the best deal read the blog: https://bit.ly/4dDCFxt

🚧 Cameo Drive Improvements and Closure Alert! 🚧

Starting August 1, Laurel Hill will upgrade Cameo Drive, a key part of the Circuit Trails Network adjacent to the Cynwyd Heritage Trail’s Barmouth Gateway. Several roads surrounding the construction site will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic as well.This 10-week (until mid-October) project will enhance stormwater management, repave the road, add new benches, a picnic table, signage, and plant over 30 trees and hundreds of shrubs and bulbs.

During this period, Barmouth Gateway and surrounding roads will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles. Please follow all posted signage and road closures for your safety. For questions, call 610-668-9900. 🌳🚴‍♂️🚶‍♀️

Last Sunday, we gathered with Families for Safe Streets of Greater Philadelphia and the D'Adamo Family in FDR Park to remember Mario and celebrate his life on the one year anniversary of his passing. We were honored to be joined by OTIS leadership and Council President Kenyatta Johnson who shared his personal experience with the park and renewed focus towards Vision Zero. We look forward to continue working with Council President Johnson and the City to pass policy and put more money into programs that keep cyclists and pedestrians safe.

For Bike Month this year, we were pleased to offer Bicycle Coalition supporters the chance to win a Retrospec Ascent mountain bike (courtesy of our friends at Keswick Cycle) and we are happy to announce our lucky winner! 🌈🚲🌟

Thank you again to all who made such generous gifts, who rode with us and made some time to share what you think is important—what we hear again and again, over and above utility and despite all obstacles, is that cycling is a source of joy, peace, and well-being, which is exactly why the mission to make our streets safe, reliable, and welcoming is so important.
Hear from more giveaway winners in our blog: https://bicyclecoalition.org/bike-giveaway-winners/

👋🏼 We're excited to introduce two of our new board members: Latanya Byrd and Chris Jandoli!

Latanya joins the board as one of the Co-Founders of of Greater Philadelphia and brings expertise in advocating at the city, state and national level. Currently she is the Director of Student Financial Services at Orleans Technical College.

Chris is a transportation and environmental planner with broad experience on a variety of multimodal transportation, public transit, environmental, and land use projects. He brings years of experience helping to plan the Vision Zero Conference.

Welcome, Latanya and Chris! 🎉

Cycling is a way of life for many of us. And, unfortunately, part of that lifestyle means dealing with scumbags.

In his near-30 years riding a bicycle in Philly, Mike Kokayko has seen it all. But there’s one night, and one driver he encountered in June 2022, that stands out in particular... Click the link to read how it all turned out: https://bicyclecoalition.org/oh-sh*t-insurance/

We're hosting a data-entry party ahead of the Protect Our Streets petition delivery to aggregate collected signatures and make sure all our voices are counted 👊 💪

Interested volunteers should email [email protected] to RSVP
📅 Monday, August 12th
🕢 6:00 - 7:00 PM
📍 1500 Walnut Street Suite #1107
Philadelphia, PA

🥂 🌠 Tickets are LIVE for our 2024 Annual Gala & Awards Dinner 🌠 🥂 Think cocktails, three course plated dinner, silent & live auctions, and celebrating greater Philadelphia's agents of change in the Bicycling Community. It'll be a evening you won't want to miss 😉 Event page: https://bicyclecoalition.org/gala2024/

Many thanks to Independence Blue Cross, Arcadia Land Company, Amy Branch and Jeff Benoliel, and HaydenAI for sponsoring this event and Bluecoat American Dry Gin and Yards Brewing Co. for supplying libations!

We hope you will join Families for Safe Streets of Greater Philadelphia, Friends of FDR Park, and the family of Mario D'Adamo this Sunday, August 4th, in FDR Park for a Memorial Ride for Mario. Plan to meet us at the Swedish Museum in FDR park at 10 am; the 1.3 loop slow roll will start at 10:30, ring bells at the ghost bike and end back at the Swedish Museum for refreshments. Please RSVP here https://bit.ly/3LJV7s7

Last Friday, the Philly biking community, led by Philly Bike Action, called upon the city to restore the Vision Zero budget and commit to concrete protection for bike lanes across the city. Re-cap of the ride and our executive director, Chris Gale's thoughts on the issue available in new Billy Penn at WHYY article (https://bit.ly/3yjOqde) This is also a reminder that a second "Safe Streets Now" ride organized by Cycle Scene PHL is happening TOMORROW. Full details on their instagram page.

Kelly McNult and Olivia Legan, CHOP co-residents of Dr. Barbara Friedes, call on Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and the City to invest in safe streets for all Philadelphians.
We are grateful for them, and everyone who is speaking out for our children, families, and communities. Read the full Inquirer article here: https://bit.ly/46mY5MN

Come find us at the Ardmore Rock N’ Ride, a community fundraising event benefiting Narberth Ambulance Emergency Services! This free, outdoor, family friendly event presented by Main Line Health and Independence Blue Cross, features an official USA Cycling bike race, a multi-stage concert featuring nationally renowned talent produced by Ardmore Music Hall, a youth bike race, and a family fun zone.
Event info: https://bit.ly/3SoipaQ

We're happy to join our friends from Philly Bike Ride next Saturday August 3rd for a joyful, social bike ride all about celebrating cycling and community 🚴🏽‍♀️🌇
Come pedal through the season with us, KRT Cycling, Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling Soar Racing and Independence Blue Cross
This social bike ride is a free event, recommended for cyclists who feel comfortable cruising through the city while sharing the road with other vehicles.
Click below to RSVP now!
🌐 phillybikeride.com/summertime-rides/
🚲 Philly Bike Ride 2024
📆 October 19th
Meet up: 9:00 am
Roll out: 9:30 am

We were honored to stand next to the District Attorney Larry Krasner, Rep. Ben Waxman, Neighborhood Bike Works, and the PPD Commissioner at the DAO's press conference announceing chargers of Michael Vahey, the driver who struck and killed Dr. Barbara Friedes. While we seek justice for Barbara we will continue to fight for protected bike lanes and parking protected bike lanes all over the city.

You signed the petition and you want to do more: we've created a grassroots action toolkit: https://bit.ly/4fh4VaF This toolkit is designed to equip you with the strategies and resources needed to engage with local officials, community leaders, and fellow advocates. Together, we can drive meaningful change and ensure that our streets prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone who uses them.

Protect Our Streets: Grassroots Action Toolkit - Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Welcome to the Grassroots Action Toolkit for Safer Streets in Philadelphia. This toolkit is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations who are passionate about improving road safety and advocating for change in our city. Recent tragedies, such as the deaths of Dr. Barbara Friedes and Chri...

The third annual "Bike the Power: Pedal for Peace" rally will be held in Mantua THIS SATURDAY, July 27th from 9 am to noon, hosted by We Embrace Fatherhood. The rally will begin with opening marks, followed by a ride beginning and ending at the HUB playground and will be honor sites where community members' lives were cut short in acts of violence, and concluding with a community gathering and cookout at the park.
Participants who bring their own bikes at 9:00 am will have an opportunity for free tune-ups and minor repairs from Neighborhood Bike Works; Indego will be providing a limited number of bike for riders without bikes of their own. Come out, amplify the community's calls for peaceful problem-solving and an end to neighborhood violence, and celebrate life in West Philadelphia.
*photo from last years Pedal for Peace ride