Philadelphia Traffic Safety and Bicycle-Friendly State Reports Released

The Facts -

In the quest to eliminate traffic fatalities, recent reports have shed light on both progress and ongoing challenges. Philadelphia's Vision Zero Annual Report and the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly State rankings offer insights into traffic safety initiatives and bicycle infrastructure, respectively. These findings highlight significant developments and the need for continued efforts in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Philadelphia's Vision Zero Initiative

The latest Vision Zero Annual Report, the first under the Parker administration, reveals a 16% decline in traffic deaths as of October compared to the previous year. Despite this improvement, fatal crashes remain above pre-2020 levels, with 121 deaths recorded by December 11, just four fewer than in 2023. The report also notes a troubling trend: severe crashes since 2020 are increasingly resulting in fatalities.

An expansion of the Automated Enforcement program aims to enhance traffic safety. Specifically, five new corridors, including state highways like Broad Street (PA 611), are targeted for this program. OTIS has also recommended Route 13, encompassing areas such as Frankford Avenue and Baltimore Avenue, for further monitoring and safety enhancements (full report).

More than $200 million in federal and state grants have been allocated for safety projects, and a new Vision Zero Action Plan is anticipated by October 2025. Public participation in this initiative is encouraged, with further details available here.

Bicycle-Friendly State Rankings

The League of American Bicyclists' Annual Report highlights a record 1,149 bicyclist fatalities in 2023, illustrating the urgent need for improved safety measures. A new scoring category rewards states that enable communities to lower speed limits to 20 mph, emphasizing the importance of safe speeds.

While states have invested substantial federal funds in biking and walking projects due to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, these investments remain a small portion of overall transportation spending. The report also underscores a deficiency in comprehensive efforts to track and understand bicycle ridership, which is vital for planning and improvements.

Regionally, Pennsylvania and New Jersey rank high in infrastructure but low in funding allocation for bike and pedestrian infrastructure, each spending less than 2% of federal funds in this area. Neither state has a mechanism to authorize a 20 mph speed limit.

Pennsylvania (Rank 19) received commendations for its infrastructure investments, exceeding $3 per capita on biking and walking. However, the Parking Protected Bike Lane bill remains stalled in the legislature.

New Jersey (Rank 26) ranked 49th in utilizing federal funds for biking, spending less than $1 per capita. Small communities' challenges in adhering to federal guidelines contribute to this low spending, as they often return funds for uncompleted projects.

Efforts by the DVRPC and the William Penn Foundation have led to significant investments in regional projects, such as $19 million for the LINK Trail Camden County and the US 130 Pedestrian Bridge project. While state-level bike count investments are lacking, the DVRPC maintains a robust bike and pedestrian counting program.

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