๐Ÿ“š Life After Cars Book Talk / ๐Ÿ“ฃ Become a Better Advocate / ๐Ÿš‹๐Ÿ’จ Faster Trolleys

April 3, 2026
Weekly Newsletter #19 · April 03, 2026

5th Square Advocacy is an urbanist organization of grassroots advocates building a coalition for better transportation, housing, and public space in Philadelphia. Thanks to our growing network of sustaining members for making this work possible.


๐Ÿ“š LIFE AFTER CARS BOOK TALK

Get your tickets before they sell out!

Life After Cars Book Talk โ€” May 14

Thursday, May 14 at 7 PM — Spend an evening with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, hosts of the War on Cars podcast and authors of Life After Cars. They'll discuss the negative impacts of car-dependency and how we can build safer, more livable streets in Philadelphia.

Get Your Ticket Today

๐Ÿ“ฃ BECOME A BETTER ADVOCATE

Want to learn how to be a better advocate for transit and Vision Zero?
Join us for a mobility budget advocacy workshop on April 20th at 5:30pm!
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๐Ÿš‹๐Ÿ’จ FASTER TROLLEYS

We're excited to report that our trolleys are on track to get a lot faster!
Starting this past Wednesday,  drivers who block trolleys will receive $51 fines thanks to bus- and trolley-mounted automated cameras.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ OPEN STREETS THIS WEEKEND

This Sunday , portions of Walnut and 18th Streets in the Rittenhouse area will be car-free from 10am to 5pm as part of Center City District's  West Walnut Open Streets.

Enjoy the beautiful spring weather and see how great our city can be when our streets put people first.


๐Ÿ‘‹ BECOME A MEMBER

Thank you to everyone who has already joined as a member! Our members fuel our grassroots work for a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable Philadelphia.

BECOME A MEMBER


๐Ÿšจ ACTION ITEMS

๐ŸŒณ SHAPE OUR FUTURE TRAIL NETWORK

The City is working on a new Trail Master Plan and they're looking for your feedback! They want to know how you use trails and how you think the existing trail network can be improved.  Take their survey here!


๐Ÿ“…  EVENTS

Apr 09

Fully Funded CCP - Press Conference

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ·  CCP Bonnell Courtyard, 1700 Spring Garden St

Join Transit Forward Philly as they rally with the Community College of Philadelphia Federation of Staff, Student and Community Leaders to support their fight for SEPTA passes.

Apr 15

SEPTA Annual Service Plan Open House & Public Hearing #1

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM · 1234 Market St, hearing virtual via Webex

In-person only open house at 11am, followed by a hybrid public hearing at 12pm as SEPTA prepares to roll out New Bus Network.

Apr 15

SEPTA Annual Service Plan Open House & Public Hearing #2

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM · 1234 Market St, hearing virtual via Webex

In-person only open house at 5pm, followed by a hybrid public hearing at 6pm.

Apr 20

The Big Dig Podcast Live

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Pen and Pencil, 1522 Latimer St

Every American city is divided by crumbling old highways. Every city is trying to figure out what to do with them. Join Ian Coss, host of the Peabody-Award winning podcast “The Big Dig” – along with special guests – for a live taping about Philadelphia’s own attempts to solve that puzzle, and undo the harms of the past.

May 14

Life After Cars Book Talk

7:00 PM, doors open 6:30 PM · Resurrection Philadelphia, 123 S. 17th St

Spend an evening with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, hosts of the War on Cars podcast and authors of Life After Cars. They'll discuss the negative impacts of car-dependency and how we can build safer, more livable streets in Philadelphia.