5th Square Advocacy

@5thsqadvocacy.org

2640 Followers 711 Following

Grassroots urbanist organizers working towards a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable Philadelphia. Weekly Newsletter: https://www.5thsqadvocacy.org/subscribe

Amazon van blocking Spruce Street bike lane with Dr. Barbara Friedes's ghost bike in the foreground
Council President Kenyatta Johnson expressing support for concrete protection for the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine Streets.
Supporters holding signs that say “More Homes Near Transit”
Seven people holding signs that say “More Homes Near Transit”
Transit advocates rallying in front of Philadelphia city hall with giant painted banner reading “SAVE ZERO FARE”
A promotional graphic for 5th Square Advocacy with the heading "WE'RE HIRING" in large, bold black letters. Below the heading, the text reads: "We are seeking our first Executive Director. The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of 5th Square Advocacy. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for advancing the organization's mission through strong leadership, financial stewardship, partnership development, and operational excellence." At the bottom, a call to action says, "Apply at: www.5thsqadvocacy.org/ED."
Home-made real-time bus display on a festively decorated table
Image of 100 people dressed casually sitting in a church room watching a presenter
T Trolley Tunnel Closure Extended, Shuttle Bus Service Begins Monday, Dec. 15 12/12/2025 Bulletins Service Advisory T Update as of December 12, 2025:
Award winners holding cone trophies
cover of the book "if you want to win, you've got to fight, a guide to effective transportation advocacy" and a black and white image of the author, carter lavin, sitting at a bus stop.
Image of black Kia crashed onto sidewalk with lamp post and bike share rack hit
Telephone pole with bus stop sign and a notice of discontinued service sign in bright red
First responders working on extricating a victim from an overturned vehicle on the 900 block of spruce st. Vehicle is an SUV overturned in the painted bike lane.
An informational graphic with a blue and green background celebrating a political victory for cycling advocates in Philadelphia. On the left, a circular photo shows Councilmember Jeffery Young. On the right stands a statue of William Penn. The text in the center reads: "Councilmember Jeffery Young introduces the legislation for a CITY HALL BIKE LANE 🙌". Below this, logos for "PHILLY BIKE ACTION! 5th SQUARE" are next to a black and white "BIKE LANE" sign. The bottom of the graphic states: "Your 1,400 petition signatures, 600 emails, & dozens of calls were heard!"
A bunch of small hostile cubes on open concrete no-shade lot
The image displays Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, represented as a pyramid with five levels, but with an additional element at the very bottom. * Bottom Level (Physiological): This foundational level includes basic survival needs such as "Food Water Shelter Warmth." * Second Level (Safety): The next level up encompasses needs related to "Security Stability Freedom from Fear." * Third Level (Belonging - Love): This level focuses on social needs like "Friends Family Spouse Lover." * Fourth Level (Self-Esteem): Here, the needs are for "Achievement Mastery Recognition Respect." * Top Level (Self-Actualization): At the apex of the pyramid is the need to "Pursue Inner Talent Creativity Fulfillment." Notably, below the physiological needs, a large red rectangle encloses the word "PARKING."
Image of 5th Square volunteers in City Council Chambers awaiting public comment
Duvet set with septa map on duvet and two pillowcases
Image of SS United States 2.0, even bigger
Septa metro diagram with American flags, eagles, monster trucks and fireworks
Photo of loading zone painted green with bike symbol
Society hill street with line of horses like parked cars
Skill game in septa bus
= The Inquirer TRANSPORTATION Mayor Parker wants to cut free SEPTA fare benefit for city workers Many city positions are vacant and Parker's mandate that municipal workers return to the office full time has been unpopular. Cutting Key Advantage would remove one tool for attracting new employees. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker gives her budget address to City Council, City Hall, Thurs ... Read more Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
Route for Roosevelt Blvd Bus Lanes Change Transforming The Boulevard PennDOT, the City, and SEPTA will install bus lanes on Roosevelt Blvd. between Bustleton Ave. and Southampton Rd. Details Notice to Residents Bus lanes provide faster, more reliable Between Bustleton Ave. and Rhawn St., SEPTA transit service. The lane closest to these lanes will be marked as "No Stopping", the curb will be changed to a "bus only" 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. lane. Cars and trucks may enter the lane to make right turns at cross streets and You will no longer be permitted to park or driveways. load on Roosevelt Blvd. between Bustleton Ave. and Rhawn St. Project Schedule Virtual Public Meeting Design - 2025 Wednesday March 19th, 6:30pm Construction - Fall 2026 bit.ly/RooseveltBlvdBAT Have a question or concern? For more information: Please e-mail Alexa Harper: c-alharper@pa.gov Bit.ly/RooseveltBlvdBAT City of pennsylvania SEPTA Philadelphia DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Rendering of Market st bridge looking east from 30th st with three travel lanes, one turning lane and a concrete-separated two-way protected bike lane on the right side
CALL YOUR COUNCILMEMBERS TELL THEM TO SUPPORT BILL #250148 Amending Chapter 12-3400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use of An Automated Speed Enforcement System to Improve Safety," by providing for the use, administration and enforcement of automated speed cameras on routes located within specified school zones STREETS COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Chairman Jeffery Young (5th District) (215) 686-3442 Vice Chair Mark Squilla (1st District) (215) 686-3458 Cindy Bass (8th District) (215) 686-3424 Kendra Brooks (At Large) (215) 686-0461 Jim Harrity (At Large) (215) 686-8295 Nina Ahmad (At Large) (215) 686-3450
> A news alert graphic from ABC Philadelphia. The headline reads "South Philadelphia DEADLY PEDESTRIAN CRASH." Banged up ford pickup truck on sidewalk with knocked over trash can and pole
A screenshot of a mobile app displaying real-time information for the Philadelphia Subway-Surface Trolley system. The app interface is predominantly green and white, with a focus on displaying upcoming trolley departures. At the top, a large white "T" on a green background is shown, representing the trolley line logo. To the right, "Subway-Surface Trolleys" is written in smaller text. Below this, "Eastbound" is indicated with a left-pointing arrow, followed by "40th St Portal" on the next line. A green search bar with the prompt "To: Set destination stop" is displayed. Beneath the search bar is a list of upcoming trolley departures, each in a white rounded rectangle with green accents. The list shows the following information for each departure: * Trolley number: T2, T5, T3, T2, T4, T5 (repeated) * Departure time: 10:21, 10:31, 10:39, 10:43, 10:45, 10:52 * Route number in square brackets: [Rt. 34], [Rt. 36], [Rt. 13], [Rt. 34], [Rt. 11], [Rt. 36] * Destination: 13th-Market A green right-pointing arrow is shown next to the 10:31 departure time, indicating it is the next scheduled trolley. A white "X" on a green background is located in the top right corner, likely to close the screen. The overall image conveys real-time transit information in a clear and user-friendly format.
A slightly worn, framed advertisement for SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) is mounted on a tiled wall. The advertisement features the text "We're Getting There." in bold white letters against a dark background. Below the text is the SEPTA logo, a stylized red, white, and blue design with horizontal lines suggesting motion. The frame is a dark metal, and the tiles are small, square, and light-colored with visible grout lines.
SEPTA Regional Rail and Rail Transit map showing many stops and lines removed
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FDR PARK WILL BE CLOSED TO CARS ON FRIDAY, 2/14 DUE TO THE EAGLES SUPER BOWL PARADE.
A "Celebration Sale!" announcement on an Instagram post from Spruce Hill Provisions in West Philadelphia. The image shows the street in front of the store freshly paved, replacing a previous "big ugly dangerous pit." Orange traffic cones and construction barriers are still present. The post highlights the improvement and advertises a 50% off sale. A comment from @agentskidmore reads "Gone and definitely will be forgotten Brad the Pitt!" with a reply from Spruce Hill Provisions.
A SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) flyer announcing an open house for the Route 36 Trolley Modernization Initiative. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 18th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Tilden Middle School on Elmwood Avenue in Philadelphia. The flyer features the words "Trolley Modernization" and a QR code for more information. The SEPTA website address, septa.org/trolley-modernization, is also included.
"A SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) flyer promoting the Route 36 Trolley Modernization Initiative. The flyer announces a virtual open house on Zoom on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM. It includes the SEPTA Forward logo, the words 'Trolley Modernization,' and a QR code for registration. The website address septa.org/trolley-modernization is also displayed."
Test message reading: PhilaOEM: Temporary vehicle restrictions in Center City around City Hall from 13th to 15th Sts between Arch and Lombard Sts. Expect delays.
§ 12-913. Prohibitions in Specified Places. 97 (1) Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or to protect the safety of any person or vehicle or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device, no person shall: (a) Stop, stand or park a vehicle: (1) On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street. (2) On a sidewalk except that a bicycle may be parked as provided in Section 12-807. (3) Within an intersection. (4) On a crosswalk. (5) Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb within thirty (30) feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless a different length is indicated by official traffic-control devices. (6) Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic. (7) On any railroad tracks. (8) In the area between roadways of a divided highway, including crossovers. (9) At any place where official signs prohibit stopping. (10) Where any part of the vehicle would block any part of a curb cut or handicapped ramp. 98 (b) Stand or park a vehicle: (1) In front of a public or private driveway. (2) Within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant. (3) Within twenty (20) feet of a crosswsik at an intersection. (4) Within thirty (30) feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic- control signal located at the site of a roadway. (5) Within twenty (20) feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station or, when properly sign posted, on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within seventy-five (75) feet of the
BICYCLE COALITION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA PHILLY BIKE ACTION! 5TH SQUARE COMBINED PETITION RESULTS In July 2024, in the wake of recent roadway deaths, including the death of Dr. Barbara Friedes on 18th & Spruce Streets, we published a petition calling on city officials to FULLY PROTECT the Spruce and Pine street bike lanes with permanent concrete barriers; END the practice of allowing parking in bike lanes on weekends; REPLACE "No Parking" signage with "No Stopping" signage along protected bike lanes. In October 2024, after the City of Philadelphia proposed a plan to add concrete and planter separation to the Spruce & Pine Street bike lanes, we published a petition for local residents to show SUPPORT of the City's plan to make Spruce & Pine Streets safer for all users. These are the results of both petitions combined. Total Signatures: 6,635 Residents of Center City: 1,240 District Council 1 Residents: 1,360 District Council 2 Residents: 1,277 CENTER CITY RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION 604 WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST CIVIC ASSOCIATION 225 SOCIETY HILL CIVIC ASSOCIATION 121
Graphic: How would you use the waterfront rail line? Take this survey to let us know (clipart of train with QR code and link)
Map of Center City Philadelphia covered in red lines on nearly every street, dated 1923