๐ฏ๏ธ Tomorrow: Ride of Silence / ๐ Book Talk Recap / ๐ โ๏ธ No E-Bike License Requirement
May 19, 2026
Weekly Newsletter #26 · May 19, 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.
Philadelphia faces interconnected crises: rising housing costs, skyrocketing gas prices, worsening traffic, and a SEPTA budget shortfall. There's a $0 solution — Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) legislation.
Mayor Parker's proposed TOC bills would allow more housing near transit, boosting SEPTA ridership and helping more residents put down roots in the city.
However the current legislation falls short: only 13 L stations are included (0 B stations!), and parking mandates near transit remain in place.
Coverage expanded to the Broad Street Line, Regional Rail, and trolleys
A ½-mile radius around each transit stop
By-right multifamily housing in residential districts near transit
๐ BOOK TALK RECAP
We had a great time last Thursday hosting Sara Goodyear and Doug Gordon of The War on Cars
podcast for a talk discussing their new book, Life After Cars.
We were thrilled to welcome 194 of you, the most we've ever had at a 5th Square event!
Thank you to our friends at Philly Bike Action for co-hosting and Resurrection Philadelphia for the venue!
๐ โ๏ธ NO E-BIKE LICENSE REQUIREMENT
Last week, Councilmember Young introduced a bill which would require licenses for e-bike delivery riders.
We issued joint statements with the Bicycle Coalition and Philly Bike Action opposing this bill.
Adding barriers to riding an e-bike will only lead to more cars on our streets, which worsens safety for all Philadelphians.
No experience is necessary to join and feel free to bring any other games you'd like to play, especially if it has a "transit" theme! Food and drinks will be provided.
๐ 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.
Organizations like the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and 5th Square
have been sounding this alarm for years. They have the data, the plans, and the advocates. What they need is for those of us in power to match their urgency.
๐จ ACTION ITEMS
๐ T1 TROLLEY MODERNIZATION SURVEY
Take SEPTA's survey
on their plans to improve the T1 (10) trolley as part of their Trolley Modernization Program.
๐ข SUPPORT A SAFER ARAMINGO AVE
Tell PennDOT to make Aramingo Ave safer!
We're calling onPennDOT to improve safety on Aramingo by replacing flexposts with concrete and funding the City's Aramingo Ave Traffic Safety project.
๐ซ UNIVERSAL STUDENT FARES PETITION
Sign this petition
to support expanding student transit cards to cover more students and provide transit access on evenings, weekends, and summers.
โ๏ธ TRAIL SURVEY
Take this quick, 3-minute survey
to help the Bicycle Coalition and Circuit Trails understand how you use trails throughout the region.
๐ฒ LEGALIZE PARKING-PROTECTED BIKE LANES
Parking-protected bike lanes are a great way to make our bikes lanes safer and lower stress, but they are illegal on state roads! Sign the Bicycle Coalition's petition to legalize parking-protected bike lanes!
Connect the Dots will be hosting a candid conversation on changes and challenges in the world of public engagement right now with speakers from the public engagement field.
6:45 PM · North Apron of City Hall to Art Museum steps
Honor the bicyclists killed or injured on our streets with a ride in complete silence throughout the city. The ride will cover 8 miles at a slow, casual pace and will occur rain or shine.
Come play Ticket to Ride, a board game where you build your own railroad! No experience is necessary to join and feel free to bring any other games you'd like to play, especially if it has a "transit" theme! Food and drinks will be provided.
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM · PA Capitol Building / Travel from 30th St Station
Transit systems all across the Commonwealth are facing dire funding shortfalls--join transit riders and workers from across PA in Harrisburg to demand action from our legislators.
5th Square Advocacy is a grassroots nonprofit organization driven to advance a vision for a more accessible, sustainable, equitable Philadelphia for all residents. Donations are not tax deductible.
