Officials will host two walk to school events at Gideon Elementary and Gompers Elementary, a ribbon-cutting at N. Broad St, and release the Vision Zero annual report and the “Connect” update.
PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has designated October as Pedestrian Safety Month. Whether it be in a parking lot, crosswalk, or on a sidewalk, everyone is a pedestrian. That is why the City, Vision Zero Task Force, Safe Routes Philly, and partners will join to observe Pedestrian Safety Month 2021.
“2020 was an unprecedented year for traffic deaths where we saw people driving too fast and being unable to control their car and react. One life lost is one too many,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Our Administration is proud to deliver on our promise to implement traffic safety measures on key corridors to help prevent such fatalities and increase traffic safety education in our Philly schools. With the support of each and every Philadelphian, we can save lives and make our city’s streets safer.”
In Philadelphia, 40 percent of people killed in traffic crashes were walking (PennDOT 2015-2019; excludes interstates). Additionally, approximately 36 percent of the city’s traffic-related deaths are a result of aggressive driving, which includes speeding and failure to yield. Without the protection of a vehicle and safety features like airbags and seatbelts, the human body cannot withstand the force of most crashes, especially at high speeds.
During Philadelphia’s Pedestrian Safety Week 2021, officials will host several educational events and activities for children, will release an update for Connect: Philadelphia’s Strategic Transportation Plan and the Vision Zero Annual report, as well as celebrate a ribbon-cutting at a newly completed pedestrian safety project.
“Philadelphians deserve safe streets. Last year more people were killed in crashes in our city than any year on record,” said Deputy Managing Director for Transportation Mike Carroll. “We are dedicated to implementing more safe streets and we urge everyone to slow down and help save lives.”
Events scheduled for Pedestrian Safety Month 2021 include:
Ribbon Cutting at North Broad & Vision Zero Annual Report
Wednesday, October 6 – 10:00 a.m.
Mayor Kenney and City Officials will cut the ribbon on the North Broad Street pedestrian median project (Poplar St. to Cecil B. Moore Ave.) as part of the release of the annual Vision Zero report. North Broad Street in Philadelphia is on the city’s High Injury Network and has a history of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries from crashes. A media advisory with further details will be issued next week.
Gideon Elementary Walk to School Day
Wednesday, October 6 – 8:30 a.m.
Gideon Elementary School will celebrate the re-launch of their Walking School Bus program. School officials and families will gather to walk to school as a group with special guests. The Gideon Walking School Bus is designed to generate excitement about going to school in the morning, encourage coming to school on time, and increase awareness of traffic safety in the community.
Vision Zero Pedestrian Safety Study and Action Plan & Transportation Data Roadmap
Tuesday, October 12
The City will release via blog post two transportation studies, the Vision Zero Pedestrian Safety Study and Action Plan and the Philadelphia’s Transportation Data Roadmap which were completed by the City in partnership with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC).
CONNECT Update Release
Friday, October 15
Connect is the City of Philadelphia’s Strategic Transportation Plan for 2019 through 2025. It highlights the transportation opportunities and challenges that the City faces, including the progress made since the 2018 plan.
Gompers Elementary Bike/Walk to School Day
Tuesday, October 19 – 7:15 a.m.
On Tuesday, October 19, Safe Routes Philly will be celebrating Walk/Bike to School Day with Gompers Elementary School, which was rescheduled from May 2020 due to the pandemic. The day will begin at Tustin Playground, where students in grades 5-8 will meet and ride to the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber to meet younger students in K-4 and all ride together to Gompers. Throughout the day, students will participate in activities about biking and health.