๐๏ธ More Homes Near Transit / ๐ฏ๏ธ Rescheduled: Ride of Silence Tomorrow / ๐ฃ Support the Circuit Trails
May 26, 2026
Weekly Newsletter #27 · May 26, 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
๐ฏ๏ธ RESCHEDULED: RIDE OF SILENCE TOMORROW
Due to last Wednesday's heavy rain, the annual Ride of Silence
has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27th
.
To honor the bicyclists killed or injured on our streets over the past year, we'll ride together in complete silence.
The ride will leave from City Hall, traveling 8 miles at a slow, casual pace to the Art Museum for a brief memorial bike lift.
2026 Ride of Silence RESCHEDULED: Tomorrow
, Wednesday, May 27th, 6:45 PM North Apron of City Hall to Art Museum Steps
๐ฃ SUPPORT THE CIRCUIT TRAILS
The Circuit Trails needs your help!
Under the current presidential administration, federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is rapidly drying up.
You can help by sending a letter to officials, asking them to support continued investment, maintenance and expansion of the Circuit trails across the region to ensure they remain safe and accessible for all.
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.
“If we truly want our students in classrooms and participating in extracurricular activities, we must create systems that help them get there safely and consistently,” said Alex Milone, transit committee co-chair for 5th Square Advocacy
, in a statement.
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!
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.
Pennsylvanians from across the state working on improving walking, biking, and accessibility will gather in Harrisburg to meet others doing this work in their communities, see examples of work underway, and discover key elements to help you bring active transportation improvements home for your area.
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM · Belmont Water Treatment Plant, 4300 W Ford Rd
The Philadelphia Water Department is welcoming the public for tours of a drinking water treatment plant. Come see how PWD keeps your tap water safe to drink and use every day.
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM · Parkway Central Library, 4FL Skyline Room
Join WHYY for a community conversation discussing the safety of people walking and biking in Philadelphia and what city leaders, decision-makers, and advocates can do to improve safety.
The Philly Running Alliance is hosting a team race where runners compete for their chosen local running club, featuring races of varying length through historic West Fairmount Park.
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.
