Tell Mayor Parker: Don’t Defund Traffic Safety!

"Please keep vision zero going. It saves love and makes the city more accessible to us its residents"

"Please protect the lives of the people you were elected to protect. Our safety is the most important thing we value."

"More protected bike lanes plz"

"How exactly will defunding Vision Zero projects help turn Philly into the "safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the nation"? Practice what you preach Mayor Parker. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/city-council-approves-mayor-parkers-6b-budget-proposal/3878452/"

"Yesterday, my family and I were almost hit by a careless driver at a residential intersection. Now is not the time to reduce funding on Vision Zero! It's a cornerstone of a safer Philadelphia."

"Philadelphia has the potential to be a safe and active city but we need full funding to make these streets safe."

"Please commit to making Philadelphia safer for me and my kids, who often bike to get around the city."

"Bicycle commuter here. The streets are congested, loud, and not safe for children to play in. There are way too many cars. They’re fast and more likely to kill or injure me than gun violence or drug users. People are afraid to commute by bike because there are not enough safe ways to get around. We need more protected infrastructure so that people can try it out, feel safe, and reclaim the streets for PEOPLE, not cars."

"As I bike across the city, I am constantly weaving around cars parked in the bike lanes and dealing with cars impatiently honking behind me and riding very close to me when there are no bike lanes or when I'm forced to be in the street because the bike lane is blocked. Biking means I can get around our city quickly, without contributing to climate change, and without contributing to car congestion. But I'm also scared. I'm scared that one day I'm going to be splayed across the asphalt simply because I was riding a bike. The time to act is now - not one more death."

"I would like my kids to be safe in the streets and reducing that funding puts them at risk."

"I am a bike commuter and was hit by a careless driver 2 weeks ago, causing a dislocated shoulder and other injuries. I could have been killed. Cycling is good for Philadelphians’ health, the environment, local businesses, and general happiness but most people do not feel it’s safe (which is true!). Please please do not throw away more lives."

"I have little kids at home and we plan on living in the city indefinitely. It is especially important to my family that we make the streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists."

"The city's streets are congested and dangerous. We're seeing more crashes, more people getting hit by cars, and getting killed in the street by collisions. The only way to fix all of these problems is to prioritize safe street designs such as protected bike and bus lanes coupled with more automated traffic enforcement."

"Find bike safety and healthy transit systems!"

"Safe streets make life better for everyone - drivers too! No driver wants to hit a pedestrian or a person on a bike. We've seen the kind of policies that have been effective in places like Jersey City and Hoboken, such as daylighting and road diets. There's no reason it can't work here too."

"My father was recently killed when a car struck him while he was cycling. Cutting the Vision Zero budget makes streets less safe for cyclists and pedestrians and we need to prioritize safe streets for all."

"As the number of bicycling riders continues to increase, Vision Zero should increase it's efforts to make our streets safer."

"Please protect bikers and pedestrians. It’s already dangerous enough to bike in this city. This is a small amount of money with respect to the overall budget."

"Please keep our neighbors safe"

"Vision Zero has had positive results in NYC. It’s a disgrace that support in Philly has dried up."

"As a parent of two young children in Philadelphia Public Schools who walk to school everyday, I am particularly concerned about this issue. We need more safety infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, not less. Walking and biking are the safest, cleanest, greenest, and healthiest ways to navigate the city (for those who are able). Every child should feel safe walking and biking around the city, and every parent should feel comfortable letting their child do so. We are a far cry from there in terms of protected infrastructure, but it is relatively low-hanging fruit. The city should be investing more toward this, not less."

"-Father of three with extended family in the city and we all bike everywhere."

"Investing my tax payments in reducing the number of Philadelphians KILLED by being hit by automobiles is one of the wisest I could choose. If you have people’s well-being in your concerns as Mayor, you should not cut Vision Zero spending in next years budget."

"Cities are for people, not cars! Please prioritize the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. As a bike commuter in the city, I feel unsafe every day due to cars currently being prioritize. . Please remedy this!"

"Safe streets benefit every Philadelphian. This is not controversial. You represent people, not cars."

"I am a lifelong Philadelphia resident who commutes to work in Center City. I recently got a bike to commute to work due to the unreliability of SEPTA causing me to be late. I am very concerned about my safety as a cyclist commuter. If it’s too unsafe it might make more sense for me to request a transfer to my job’s suburban office, which I don’t want to do. Bicycle and pedestrian safety is key to people like me who live and work in the city. Please don’t drive people away by defunding Vision Zero."

"A bikeable, walkable city for all people is a liveable city."

"If you build your city around convenience for cars then those who choose to walk or bike, or those without the means to own a car, are put at risk. We need to encourage walking and cycling. It will reduce traffic, create healthier citizens, and make the city more pleasant to live in. Cycling in the city shouldn't involve a constant fear of death or injury. Help create a world where children are safe to go out and play."

"We need safety for bikers car don’t pu attention"

"Your disregard for the physical safety of our children is shameful. Unlike you, many Philadelphians do not drive everywhere they go. Thousands walk and bike to school and work daily. Wake up to the needs of actual Philadelphians. Expand your bubble just an inch and see how vital this issue is."

"I have yet to ride on spruce or pine street where there isn’t a car parked in the bike lane. Drivers who stop in bike lanes put every cyclist at risk. How does that square with you, Mayor Parker? Are cars with one or two people in them more entitled to stop and inconvenience multiple cyclists? At the moment, the answer is yes until you enforce no STOPPING in bike lanes. Omg, please fix this."

"This will help reduce traffic, reduce carbon emissions, and create a healthier community with less deaths."

"There’s no excuse for not doing what we can to save lives!"

"Cycling is a preferred mode of transportation in my household — for me, for my wife, and for our 1 year old son who rides as a passenger. Making our streets safe for cyclists is a relatively modest investment that comes with huge benefits. We cannot be the “cleanest greenest” city in the nation while our cycling infrastructure lags behind. Further, even those who drive become pedestrians whenever they park their cars. Please don’t slash the budget on the greatest tool the city has to prevent these senseless killings."

"What about our children, Mayor Parker?"

"As a public health scientist and epidemiologist, I know that safer streets encouraging active transport has a massive cost benefit in terms of public health, injury prevention, and social cohesion. Do right by the citizens who elected you and keep us safe from cars!"

"As someone who commutes exclusively by foot, please do not reduce the budget for vision zero. The roads and crosswalks are chaotic and vision zero funds could go towards efforts related to reducing this chaotic-ness and making safer streets for all, drivers included!"

"VisionZero is improvements for everyone: communities, residents, workers, drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and others. We need safer, greener, and more inclusive streets. The roads should enable children, young adults, elderly, and all others to safely get from one place to another without putting their lives at risk. Reducing VZ budget is a huge leap in the wrong direction! We need leadership with strong willpower and effective plans to improve this city."

"Hello. Bicycle is reasonably fast and reasonably convenient way of transportation. Especially in a city. Philadelphia has good potential for biking. It’s mostly flat. Mild climate. We just need more friendly infrastructure."

"Safe streets for all!"

"Safe streets are vital, allowing people to get around without expensive cars and reducing car related injuries and deaths which are a plague upon our community. Creating a city that embraces it's dense and walkable nature is vital to it's success."

"As a family that commutes by bike to drop off our child to school and go to work, this means a great deal to us."

"Philadelphia can and should be a leader in bike safe communities. Bikeable/walkable streets are great for the community at large."

"Please invest in safe street practices. It saves lives, promotes physical activity, and makes communities more enjoyable to live in."

"I walk to work every day and as a pedestrian I frequently feel unsafe due to drivers' reckless behavior. My partner uses a wheelchair and I worry the cars won't see him / won't brake in time because they're going too fast. Well lit intersections, narrower streets with traffic calming, and greater enforcement of traffic laws (speeding, red light running, illegal turns, etc) will make the city safer for everyone."

"Drivers in this city are a menace to pedestrian and bicycle traffic."

"Slow cars down in the city. In European cities top speed for cars is often limited to 20 mph. That restriction alone dramatically reduces pedestrian and cyclist deaths"

"I commute to work every day on a bike decreasing congestion and pollution. Please keep me safe on the road."

"We have an opportunity for Philadelphia to be a leader in safer streets, especially for cyclists, but time and again our leaders put cars ahead of people."

"Why are we defending traffic safety and prevention programs when cyclist fatalities hit a record in 2023?"

"Safer streets benefit everyone! Funding Vision Zero initiatives is vital for safety and also furthers creating a culture that values carbon neutral and healthy transportation like bike riding and walking!"

"We cannot afford to cut funding!"

"Walking and biking are my primary means of transportation. I would like to feel safe while I'm moving about the city. Reducing funding for vision zero, and changing the goalpost from 2030 to 2050 makes it clear that safety is not a priority, and will enable 2500 traffic deaths in the meanwhile."

"Defunding vision zero is shortsighted. Zero vision."

"As a concerned citizen and active member of the community, I am writing to emphasize the critical need for increased capital funding to bolster safety measures for pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists in the city of Philadelphia. Recent events, such as the push for corporate employees to return to office spaces without commensurate attention to safety infrastructure, have underscored a concerning gap in our city's priorities. While economic growth and development are undoubtedly important, the well-being and safety of our residents must always remain paramount. Having experienced firsthand the thriving biking culture and safety measures in cities like New York City, I am acutely aware of the transformative impact that robust infrastructure can have on promoting alternative modes of transportation and fostering a vibrant urban environment. The sight of pedestrians, cyclists, and visitors leisurely navigating dedicated biking trails instills a sense of community and vitality that is sorely lacking in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, the current state of affairs in our city paints a starkly different picture. Many of my acquaintances, including gym friends, express genuine fear and reluctance to navigate Philadelphia's streets on their bicycles due to inadequate safety measures. This apprehension not only stifles individual mobility and recreational opportunities but also undermines the collective well-being of our community. Investing in comprehensive safety initiatives, such as protected biking lanes, improved pedestrian crossings, and enhanced traffic management systems, is not merely a matter of convenience—it is a fundamental obligation to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of all Philadelphians. By prioritizing the allocation of capital funding towards these essential projects, we can proactively address safety concerns, foster a more inclusive transportation network, and ultimately enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Moreover, it is imperative to recognize that investing in safety infrastructure is not mutually exclusive to economic prosperity. On the contrary, by creating safer streets and promoting active transportation options, we can attract new businesses, bolster tourism, and stimulate local economies. The tangible benefits of such investments extend far beyond mere financial gains—they encompass a tangible commitment to fostering a healthier, more resilient, and equitable city for generations to come. I urge you to consider the pressing need for capital funding to prioritize pedestrian, motorist, and cyclist safety in Philadelphia. By seizing this opportunity to invest in our infrastructure, we can cultivate a more vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive city that truly reflects the values and aspirations of its residents. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your proactive leadership and decisive action in addressing these critical issues."

"I want my young daughter to be safe living in Philadelphia but every day I worry that an inattentive or hostile motorist will harm her. Please work to make this city safe and functional for all of its residents."

"Philadelphia has twice as many traffic fatalities than its peer cities such as New York, Boston, and San Francisco. Unless this changes I plan on leaving Philadelphia as soon as my career allows me to. Most of my friends have been hit by cars and practically all have had close calls. I do feel comfortable raising children here just so they can be run over by reckless drivers."

"As someone who uses the Indego system almost daily, I need to feel safe sharing the road with vehicles that weigh well over a ton."

"The streets are dangerous enough! Keep bike riders safe."

"Investing in cyclist safety = investing in safe communities"

"Campaigning on “safer, cleaner, greener” and then immediately slashing the budget of a successful program that protects the people of Philadelphia and encourages clean, green transportation is bold, egregious hypocrisy spiced with a blatant disregard for the health and safety of the people of Philadelphia. Those campaign buzzwords have meaning. Please consider embracing them. Please fund Vision Zero."

"Slashing Vison Zero funding is unacceptable if the city is truly committed to becoming the safest big city in the U.S. So many fellow Philadelphians will die avoidable deaths if Vision Zero is not taken seriously. Vision Zero gives Philly the power to prevent these tragedies."

"If we're a future-oriented city, we have to prioritize sustainable transportation and the safety of our citizens who are doing their part."

"Mayor Parker, please help make this city safer to bikes and pedestrians. Walkability is one of the strongest assets of this city, throwing that away or decreasing it at all means turning our back on what is great about this place."

"The best traffic calming measures are streets that are safe for pedestrians and cyclists. Please continue to invest in pedestrian and cyclist safety."

"Biking is one of the most reliable, quick ways to get around the city. Please invest to keep our streets safe for bikers"

"Parker should commute to city hall via bicycle for a month before slashing funding for Vision Zero."

"Make our streets safe for pedestrians & bikes! Private cars have taken over the city and make life worse for everyone who lives and works here."

"Philadelphia streets are for all! Please help make them safer for cyclists!"

"Philadelphia needs continued support to prioritize safe travel via micro mobility."

"I was in Boston recently It is a bicycle friendly city. Bicycles are part of the transit system. it makes economic sense"

"Please support bike safety"

"This is incredibly short sighted to defund vision zero. I bike to work every day and so do many of my coworkers. We deserve the same rights that car owners do, the right to not have to fear getting ran over and dying on my way to work. Please reconsider, this is for the safety of your citizens."

"As a child care worker on the city it is of utmost importance that we do everything we can to protect pedestrians. I have almost been hit by cars walking with a stroller more times than I can count. I have had to dive in front of children to protect them from careless drivers who are behind the wheels of bigger and bigger cars. As a cyclist I have been hit by careless and aggressive drivers who hate to see anything else but cars on the road. Being a pedestrian and cyclist has become increasingly more dangerous in one of the most walkable cities in the country."

"Ride a bike yourself some day, all will become clear. We are the most vulnerable road users. One death is too many. Thanks you for your verbal commitments, now please put our money where your mouth is."

"Reducing funds to Vision Zero will send Philadelphia backwards in terms of being a leading city progressing to a better future."

"Please match your budget with your stated values. Philly can’t be clean, green, or safe without high quality, reliable options to walk, roll, and ride."

"I bike to work through the city everyday and every day feels like I am being hunted."

"Keeping our streets safe for pedestrians is essential to having healthy communities."

"Dear Mayor Parker and Council President Johnson, I'm embarrassed for you. Your lies have been exposed by cutting Funding for vision zero. As elected officials, you shake hands with US to get elected then turn around and implement policies that PUT OUR LIVES at risk. You DON'T care for human lives at all. Traffic death is HIGHLY PREVENTABLE and other cities have successfully stopped it where implementing Vision Zero aggressively. Every traffic death is an absolute TRAGEDY yet you are taking steps in the wrong direction to prevent them. With abhorrence, -Pizza"

"Reducing the budget for vision zero is pretty irresponsible. More things need to be done to make pedestrians safe from these drivers that have zero regard for other people. What you should do is allocate some of those resources and announce the total ban on paper tags in the City of Philadelphia. Not only does it reduce the amount of illegal cars on the road, it will reduce the amount of crime significantly. Do what needs to be done. Please, this city is tired of paper tags. People who follow the law are consistently punished in this city because uncivilized people just continue to break the law."

"If Philadelphia is going to be an a hub of innovation and creativity in the 21st century, then 20th century thinking must be put to rest. Clean, safe streets pay for themselves many times over in recovered dollars, less idle time, and QOL improvements. You can either move forwards or get run over. Fund Vision Zero!"

"As an ER doctor who has spent 3 years working in North Philadelphia, I know first hand of the dangers of walking, biking, or driving through this city.. The number of unsafe intersections, lack of enforcement of speeding and traffic laws, and poor biking infrastructure is appalling! Vision Zero NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT."

"Please don’t cut funds. Vision zero needs the funding. The city’s roads are not safe and your constituents are feed up with drivers’ reckless behavior that law enforcement has turned a blind eye to. I will make certain not to vote for you in the next election if you cut funds for this important initiative."

"Are streets are so violent and it’s so avoidable. Traffic deaths are so avoidable and they are the worst thing that can happen to a community."

"Hoboken, NJ has gone 7 years without a traffic death, while Philly is still over 100 as of last year, in no world should it be acceptable to cut funding for Vision Zero with such a glaring failure on Philadelphia's record. The people of this city deserves better than being fodder for vehicles."

"We need MORE bike lanes not less!! Pedestrians deserve to be a priority in this city!"

"The police are not maintaining safe streets for pedestrians, bikes, and honestly even normal safe drivers. Increasing bike and pedestrian infrastructure must be prioritized in the budget."

"I recently discovered indego bikes and it's my fav way to get around and enjoy the city, but chaotic/careless drivers and limited bike lanes make it a scary experience. Would really like such a walkable city to level up into a bike friendly city too."

"We need to be investing more, not less, in protecting people from reckless drivers in this city. I don't think I know a single person who hasn't nearly been run over by a speeding or texting driver while trying to cross a street. Better infrastructure prevents people from driving like this."

"Having been in the room for the Vision Zero executive order and all the fanfare surrounding it, I was surprised and dismayed to see that the actions that matter—the proposed budget commitment —were a step in the wrong direction. Our city won't be cleaner, safer, or greener without a commitment to infrastructure- and policy-supported pedestrian and cyclist safety."

"Please, please, please don’t defund this. My mother was recently struck by a car as a pedestrian, ending up in the hospital with a broken wrist, twisted knee, and concussion. She lost weeks of wages and the motorist wasn’t even ticketed despite not having insurance. We need safer roads."

"Without fail every time I go for a walk in this city I am the victim of a near miss with a driver. My neighbors and I are tired of near death experiences. Poor urban design and car dependent infrastructure is not only deadly to your constituents, but is financially deadly to this city. Fund good urban design. Fund pedestrian only streets. Fund SEPARATED bike lanes. Fund SEPTA. Invest, don't divest, in your city and citizens."

"Please commit to Traffic Safety."

"There is no good reason to decrease investments in safer streets."

"Philadelphias streets have been too dangerous for too long! Don't defund safe streets!"

"I moved to Philadelphia for a year of service through AmeriCorps. Philadelphia was my city of choice BECAUSE it is a city built for walking, biking, and taking public transit, moreso than most cities across this country. I have used my bike to reach nearly every corner of this city, and kept myself afloat financially by doing food delivery by bike in my spare time. If Philadelphia wants to keep attracting people to serve this city, and keep improving the quality of life of its residents, safe and enjoyable streets should be a priority of the city government."

"Please commit to even safer streets by increasing funding for Vision Zero. Cyclists and pedestrians LIVE in the city. They pay taxes and support city businesses. Please make their safety a priority. Thank you!"

"I was hit by a car while riding my bike this year on the corner of 31st and spring garden. I am so lucky I wasn’t seriously injured. We need more bike safety- our lives are at risk! Please don’t defund vision zero"

"I live in the suburbs, but take the train into the city frequently. Each time I am shocked at how bad traffic is, and how drivers completely disregard the safety of peds and cyclists."

"Please keep funding the speed cushion program! One street in my neighborhood became significantly safer with the addition of a speed cushion, but there are so many more than need to be addressed. Keep us safe on the streets!"

"Don’t defund it."

"Many neighborhoods are inaccessible by bikes due to how dangerous they are to ride in. Safe cycling should be a priority because it benefits everyone making the city a more accessible place. No more deaths!!!"

"Please fund safer streets. We have people dying out here"

"As a resident in Philadelphia, walking around the city is my main mode of transportation. It is critical that we invest in safe streets so all Philadelphians can be safe."

"Its hard enough to bike around the city without getting hit, don’t make it harder"

"Now is not the time to go backwards on Vision Zero. Thank you."

"I’ve witnessed multiple auto accidents in the short time I’ve lived in Philadelphia. Multiple pedestrians and cyclists have died from being struck by drivers (careless or not) on the road I live near just in 2 years. Your commute shouldn’t turn deadly because someone decided to drive a car. Make philly safe and increase V0 funding."

"Stop criminalising homelessness and addiction while we're at it."

"I was two seconds from being hit by a car running a red last night. The absolute lawlessness of Philly streets needs to change."

"Come on, man. I always wanted to raise a family in Philly. Now that we have a second kid on the way...I just need you to mitigate these traffic concerns a little for us to feel justified in not moving out to the burbs. I've been here 21 years. I wanna stay. Make the choice easier for me! Fund policy and programs that make streets safer for toddlers, bikers, people, etc. PLEASE."

"Cars in this city are OUT OF CONTROL. Stop this madness"

"As someone who almost got hit yesterday walking his dog, the way people drive in this city is criminal and there’s no reason to prioritize drivers’ convenience over all else"

"This may be my number 1 issue. Drivers are out of control these days! You're controlling something that weighs at least a ton though a city that wasn't really laid out well for them - recognize that you have to do it with a little responsibly! We've always had a handful of really wild drivers, but it feels like there 3x as many as there were before COVID."

"Please keep bike safety as a priority! Myself and others can be fewer cars on the road!"

"I love Philly's walkability, but it can still be improved. Nobody deserves to be a victim of traffic violence; Vision Zero needs to be a priority!"

"Please stop prioritizing the conveniences of motorists over the safety of non-motorists."

"Let's prioritize people in our city. Philadelphians old and new deserve safe streets and safe means of getting to and from their destinations."

"Make our streets safer. Not just for cars. We need more bikes lanes that are protected, more transit, and more street side dinning and less prioritization of parking."

"Pedestrians and cyclists are the most vulnerable people in the roads and need protection. We should not have to fear for our lives just getting from a to b. Please prioritize us!"

"In a city where walking and biking is so much more accessible than other places due to the why Philadelphia is built, it’s value is lessened by the lake of safety we feel when not in a car. We need Vision Zero funding to make progress toward better safety."

"Please help keep me and my family safer!"

"It’s very dangerous as a cyclist in Philadelphia. I please ask that you consider those at risk as guns are not the only thing killing people on our beloved streets. It’s cars and the Philly driving attitude. Please, Mayor Parker. Thank you"

"We need to continue to prioritize the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in the city."

"I commute to work by foot and on Septa. Even though I walk defensively and ALWAYS cautiously, I have near misses with careless drivers most weeks. Given Mayor Parker's vision of a cleaner, greener city, it is a no brainer to increase funding for Vision Zero projects. I really believe Philly is an amazing city, and it already has the design to be an incredibly walker and biker friendly city if projects to make these safer ways of getting around, are made a priority. Cutting funding for Vision Zero projects is a short-sighted move that doesn't align with the mayor's stated priorities. Please reconsider!"

"A bikeable Philly is a better Philly!"

"I commute to school by walking and biking. I am frequently unsafe due to aggressive driving dangerous intersections. Please consider increasing funding to support commuters that aren't in cars. Biking and walking are not just leisure activities for the wealthy: they allow people of all walks of life to get to work safely and efficiently. Please make it easier to walk and bike in Philadelphia rather than harder."

"We need to keep making progress! Traffic deaths are a policy decision."

"Mayor Parker, please make the lives of Philadelphians a priority!"

"Mayor Parker must not endanger the lives of taxpaying pedestrians and cyclists. Cutting the vision zero budget would be a reprehensible degredation in safety for Philadelphians."

"Philly bikers and pedestrians deserve safety and our city needs this funding!"

"Between this and the pogroms against people struggling with addiction it almost seems like the administration: wants? people to die?"

"At least commit something to repainting the lines on the road, it’s absolutely ridiculous."

"These actionable quality of life improvements should be an absolute no-brainer as a funding priority. Wasn't the Mayor Parker's slogan "cleaner, greener, safer" ? Vision zero capital projects cover all three!"

"Funding pedestrian and bike safety in Philadelphia enhances economic equality by providing affordable transportation, improving job access, and reducing the financial burden of car ownership."

"I wanted to add that investing in safe streets adds to the quality of life issues that the city is facing. You cannot focus on one problem and expect others to go away. The city is holistic, meaning everything affects everything else. Additionally, this issue is faced by ALL citizens of the city, not just one neighborhood. Therefore, statistically this is a much bigger problem than anything else. Please be critically minded when making these kinds of decisions and work to make transportation in this city safer not worse."

"Pedestrian and Cyclist safety must improve if we want to become a world class city."

"Philadelphia needs to do more to enhance the quality of life for people without cars"

"Philly should be a city that moves forward and not backwards. Our city should be the most walkable city in the US with how the city is designed but due to dangerous road design it’s not. Enforcement of driving laws will never prevent car caused deaths. Road Redesign is the only way. Killing the minuscule budget of vision 0 is a regressive move that will only harm this cities growth."

"I understand and sympathize with the mayor/city council's task of creating a budget that aligns with multiple stakeholders and various campaign promises. But please do not continue to overlook the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Continued investments are necessary to make the city a safe place to live and work in as an increasing number of people have turned to bikes, e-scooters/e-bikes, and walking to commute."

"My mother was killed crossing Springgarden Street in 2003, and it hurts my family to this day. My children did not get to know their wonderful grandmother. We need better traffic calming measures. No one should suffer a needless tragedy on the streets of Philadelphia."

"Across the world, cities are improving their infrastructure to better the safety and experiences of pedestrians and cyclists. Why does Philadelphia always have to be the city trailing behind, limping along with a 20th century mentality as the cities around us improve? The people of Philadelphia deserve better."

"No one should be risking their lives by crossing the street. The city must invest *more*, not less, in high-quality, people-first infrastructure to protect people walking and rolling in our neighborhoods. Until we truly reach Vision Zero, it's unacceptable for funding to decline."

"The only way to achieve a cleaner, greener, safer Philadelphia is by putting money towards safer streets. Funding vision zero is an absolute necessity for these goals."

"As someone who enjoys biking to Philadelphia from the suburbs I see Philly as a safe haven at times with its protected bike lanes and overall better infrastructure for vulnerable road users. Please do as you promised and make this initiative a priority to ensure vision zero is met and Philadelphia continues to shine as an example of how the surrounding areas can implement safe streets for all."

"Defunding visionzero would be a big mistake considering that the city of Philadelphia is one of the largest Bicycle modal transport cities in North America. It makes no sense to state that Philadelphia will be a safer city and then cut funding to safer infrastructure and policy to cyclists and pedestrians."

"Please do not decrease in spending on Vision Zero projects!"

"As a South Philly resident who walks, bikes, and drives, I know that Vision Zero works to protect EVERYONE. Funding infrastructure for safe streets keeps us ALL safe as we move throughout our city. Cutting funding will cost lives."

"Vision Zero is one of the most important initiatives to improve the safety and well-being of philadelphians. If anything, its budget should be doubled. These are the kinds of things that make a city special, attractive to potential new residents."

"Let's be fair, this city sees roads and road safety as budget line only, but the people who live in this city see it as a real world life and death situation. You campaigned on cleaning up, but I'd rather be safe surrounded by trash than in a tidy city that kills me."

"Vision Zero is critical for a safer, greener Philly."

"Please do NOT rollback badly needed funding for pedestrian and bike (and general roadway) improvements badly needed to save lives."

"What you're doing is enabling Philadelphia drivers to kill more innocent people. You cannot cut funding in this vital program. Do you even care about your citizens?"

"Make Philly more bicycle and pedestrian friendly and the city will be happier, safer, healthier, cleaner, and more attractive for people to live and work and visit here. Invest in making this city more pleasant to be in. Less cars, less traffic and noise and danger on the streets. Funding bicycle and public transit give citizens of Philadelphia the freedom and accessibility to love commuting, working, and ein this amazing city. Thank you!"

"Please fund Vision Zero! Philly should be safe for people outside of cars."

"As a resident of Roxborough and daily bike-commuter to Center City, I rely on the drivers of Philadelphia to make it to work & back safely every day. I believe the goals outlined in Vision Zero will keep me safer during my commute & reduce the close-calls that I encounter multiple times per week. I wholehearted encourage Mayor Parker to re-evaluate the significant cut that PZ received in this upcoming budget. Thank you."

"Pedestrian and biker safety must be addressed and treated as a necessity. My partner was seriously injured last fall by a reckless driver in the bike lane. Nearly every biker I know has had an accident/near accident due to the negligence of drivers. Vision Zero will impact the lives of those that navigate the community without a car and we owe it to protect them."

"As a cyclist for a local race team representing a highschool in the heart of philadelphia, this city is our campus. The installation and maintenance of the Schukyl river trail and protecting bike lanes in Belmont area is critical. We need more, not less."

"As someone who lives in the city car-free Vision Zero is essential for making sure that my girlfriend and I can safely walk through the city and that I can safely bike to work without risking my life in high speed traffic."

"Bike lanes are necessary. Everyone deserves to feel safe. The roads are not just for cars."

"As a bike commuter who works for the city, I cannot count the number of times I’ve almost been killed trying to get to work. Vision zero is every bit a part of any strategy to make the city safer, cleaner, and greener."

"Maintain vision zero investment that is necessary for health, safety, and the future of our city."

"Yesterday. I was nearly run over by a car in manayunk. The person then yelled at me for 6 blocks that I was breaking the law because bikes have to be within 4 feet of the curb. No such law exists. Learning that very next day, efforts to make a safer commute have been defunded is disheartening. Please reconsider your decision to help me make it safely to my destination."

"Walkability and bike-ability should be Philadelphia’s greatest strength. Vision zero is crucial in making that a safe reality for a Philadelphians"

"Part of making this wonderful city more livable, cleaner, healthier, and more equitable is ensuring safety for pedestrians and cyclists! Cutting funding for the exact infrastructure to accomplish this should be reconsidered. Surely there are budgetary items that can be cut that are less critical than those designed for safely traversing the city."

"This is important to me as a constituent of yours and a citizen of this great city! Investing in safe streets infrastructure is an investment in community safety and our city’s livability!"

"I bike to work in the city every day and fear for my life with aggressive and distracted drivers who don’t have the training and understanding to protect bikers. We don’t have protected bike lanes as there are no barriers or separate biking roads, and cars drive into bike lanes and park in them. We need a much safer bike infrastructure as biking is healthier for the biker, better for the city with less traffic and noise, and is important for the reducing emissions."

"On top of all of the other obvious benefits of VZ, I was stunned by a recent study showing that traffic injuries to low-income NYC residents fell 30% in the first five years of their ‘Vision Zero’ program, *and* saved federal and state governments an estimated $90.8 million on Medicaid expenditures. https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2024/may/traffic-injuries-to-low-income-nyc-residents-fell-30--in-first-f.html"

"These are proven ways to save Philadelphian lives, those of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. You have committed to this program, and this huge cut to it's budget is going to hurt our city. Fund this program at the needed levels to save Philadelphians."

"Bicycling is an excellent green option for commuting but many are hesitant to start biking because of safety concerns. Please fund Vision Zero initiatives."

"I work at one of Philadelphia's health care organizations. Many of my colleagues have also chosen to walk or bike to work. Many do t his because they are members of the local community they serve. This is especially important in an area of the city where vehicular traffic is high and the needs of incoming patients must be met. All of them deserve safer streets too. People visiting, working, shopping, and living in the city should not be put in danger so that cars can drive a little faster down populated streets."

"As a voter and concerned citizen, I am asking Council to reverse the proposed budget cuts to vision zero initiatives. Traffic violence claims the lives of far too many Philadelphians each year, and these cuts are penny wise, pound foolish."

"I have been hit while riding my bike and obeying traffic laws, and I have come way too close to getting hit multiple other times as well. The streets are not safe, and people who can't afford a car should be able to safely walk and bike around the city."

"Please consider keeping pedestrians and bikers safe."

"Please make Philadelphia a safe place to cycle."

"I’ll put it another way: people getting mowed down in the streets is bad PR for the city. Funding the Vision Zero initiatives is a relatively low-cost, effective way to improve the city’s reputation and bring in more business and tourist dollars. Make these projects happen and then talk it up!"

"30% of Philadelphians don’t even own a car! These folks will support politicians who keep their promises on this key issue. This is the way to truly make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, greenest big city."

"If people feel safer walking and biking it will improve quality of life, lower congestion and noise and above all else is better for the environment."

"We need safer streets and Vision Zero is an important tool to do that. We need more funding for it to be realized, not less!"

"Why is it that the citizens dont deserve having streets that are safe? why do we just knowingly let people die and get hurt over and over again? Our city has the bones and set up in a way that could make us world class in safety, biking, and walking but instead we want to cut the funding? I dont feel safe walking my kids around the city because crossing could mean they get hit much like I was as a kid! Safer streets that are nicer to walk and bike would also bring in more tourism and make it so those who can't or wont drive can get to work and families."

"It's so scary to walk in Philadelphia right now. None of the cars are looking and all of the windows are tinted. We need traffic calming on our streets please!!!!!!!"

"I bike daily to work. Almost daily I have an unhealthy reaction between myself and a car because of poor infrastructure."

"When my wife and I think about where we want to raise our daughter, the ability for her to safely walk to a playground or her school is near the top of our list. We love Philadelphia, but the streets are just too dangerous. Why is our priority making it faster for people to drive *through* our city rather than more livable for the people who live *in* our city?"

"This is what community safety looks like, please fund it!"

"I am one of thousands of Philadelphians who gets around outside of a car. I do not want people like me, and people unlike me, dying unnecessary deaths on our streets when there are proven, simple solutions out there that we could be implementing if the city would just commit to it, financially & politically."

"Vision Zero, when implemented and funded properly, is proven to reduce traffic deaths. You don't even have to look that far for an example: look at Jersey City! If we want a safe, clean and green city then the first thing we need to do is improve our streets and focus on human-scale design, not car-oriented design! I love this city and we can do so much better! I want to be able to navigate this city without having to constantly worry about the bad behavior of the reckless drivers in this city."

"I agree"

"Safer streets are about more than preventing injury and death. Safer streets also make for stronger neighborhoods. Philly should be a city where families can confidently walk around their neighborhood and where neighborhood streets are free from reckless traffic noise and chaos."

"To achieve Vision Zero, you need to fund Vision Zero. Making our streets safer benefits everyone in the city and improves our quality of life."

"I will ask one simple question. How much is a life worth? The answer should be priceless- spend the money to make our streets safe for pedestrians and drivers. Even if it means raising taxes or implementing new taxes."

"A greener cleaner city means making Philly bike friendly and pedestrian friendly! Don't cut funding for Vision Zero, we NEED Vision Zero!"

"Pedestrian and bike safety is absolutely critical to the wellbeing of our city. We need to fund Vision Zero objectives, as Mayor Parker promised on the campaign trail. We deserve even more funding for these vital objectives!"

"Prioritize saving lives. It is Vision 0 because 1 is too many."

"Philadelphians deserve safe streets! Fund Vision Zero"

"Ridiculous lack of commitment. Put our taxpayer dollars where your campaign promises are"

"125 people died of traffic violence last year and the mayor and councils response has been to defund Vision Zero. These deaths were preventable through safe road design. We simply need funding to do so."

"Please prioritize safe streets by adequatly funding vision zero. This should be a no brainer. SAFE STREETS AND REAL BIKE INFRASTRUCTURE NOW!"

"As a Philadelphia resident in Council District 2 there are a lot of improvements I'd like to see to keep me and my family safe walking and biking around our neighborhood and the city. Funding Vision Zero initiatives is vital for a Safer Philadelphia. Please prioritize funding for these projects!"

"Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure maintenance and expansion is vital to Philadelphia’s future."

"Please don't defund Vision Zero! I don't want to see more of my neighbors end up in the emergency department or the city morgue because of traffic violence."