It's no secret that people like walkable neighborhoods. There are a number of recent surveys, articles, and research studies that contribute to the growing body of evidence for this preference. As reported in this Good Magazine article, a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that factors that contribute to walkability have become … Continue reading Article: Walkability is important to home buyers
Another distracted SEPTA patron makes the [international] news
A surveillance video of a man falling off the platform at the Berks station on the Market-Frankford El was the subject of a recent article in the UK's Daily Mail. The man was talking on his cell phone--further proof that distracted walking can be very dangerous! Click the link below to read the article and … Continue reading Another distracted SEPTA patron makes the [international] news
Did you know? Philly Streets Dept. publishes a weekly schedule of streets being repaved!
The wheels of cars, buses, and trucks can easily roll over the uneven pavement on streets that are being repaved. Pedestrians, however, do not have it quite as easy when crossing these streets. Roadways that are being repaved can be hazardous for a number of reasons. Manhole covers often protrude above the street, which can … Continue reading Did you know? Philly Streets Dept. publishes a weekly schedule of streets being repaved!
Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the news
The Benjamin Franklin Parkway has been gathering a lot of well-deserved attention recently. The opening of the new Barnes Foundation has added one more gem to the Parkway’s famous array of cultural institutions, which includes the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, and the main branch of the city’s Free Library. The parkway is … Continue reading Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the news
Article: “Distracted walking a growing phone-related danger”
Texting and walking is no laughing matter! Last year, 1,152 people were admitted into hospital emergency rooms for "injuries suffered while walking and using a cellphone or some other electronic device." Phones, iPods, and other electronic devices take your attention away from your surroundings, making it easier to become a victim of a distracted walking … Continue reading Article: “Distracted walking a growing phone-related danger”
“Where’s my effin’ sidewalk” photo contest starts tomorrow!
The "Where's my effin' sidewalk?" project is a photo/video contest that Feet First Philly is holding, starting August 1, 2012. We are asking you to submit photos and videos of sidewalk encroachments* that you encounter in Philadelphia. These will be posted on FFP's flickr stream, and the three that make the most powerful statements will win a … Continue reading “Where’s my effin’ sidewalk” photo contest starts tomorrow!
“Walk Appeal” affects how pedestrians interact with the built environment
The built environment has a huge influence on walkability. You probably have an idea of what features of a street make it more or less walkable, but have you given it much thought? There are a number of different frameworks that have been developed to guide the way we think about this. Some, such as … Continue reading “Walk Appeal” affects how pedestrians interact with the built environment
Pedestrian Safety and the Law
There are many laws in place that are meant to protect pedestrians. In New Jersey, drivers must come to a complete stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk. In PA, cars have to yield to pedestrians at intersections without a traffic signal, whether or not the crosswalk is marked. Philadelphia law specifically states that vehicles may … Continue reading Pedestrian Safety and the Law
SEPTA receives funding for 69th Street Transportation Center improvements
SEPTA was recently awarded a $5 million grant through the Federal Transit Administration's State of Good Repair and Bus Livability programs, which awarded $787 million to transit projects in 48 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The money that SEPTA receives will be put toward the renovation of 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby. The … Continue reading SEPTA receives funding for 69th Street Transportation Center improvements
A sweltering summer in Philadelphia: Tips for keeping cool and walking in the heat
According to the National Weather Service, excessive heat is the deadliest type of weather in the United States. Each year, it kills more people than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and lightning combined. The elderly, infants, and those with physical and mental ailments are at especially high risk for the consequences of overexposure to heat. Taking precautionary … Continue reading A sweltering summer in Philadelphia: Tips for keeping cool and walking in the heat
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