UPDATE: A poignant memorial picnic was held at Fairmount Park on September 9, 2025, as local cycling advocates gathered to honor Harry Fenton, a cyclist tragically killed in the park earlier this year. This urgent gathering emphasized the critical need for enhanced safety measures due to speeding vehicles threatening cyclist lives.
The event, organized by Philly Bike Action, drew nearly a dozen advocates who rallied near the site of Fenton’s death. With bikes creatively displayed on trees and a rallying Elmo, they highlighted the dangers faced by cyclists on Belmont Avenue and called attention to the reckless driving culture in Philadelphia.
“The culture of driving in the city is people just speed and drive recklessly,” said organizer Caleb Holtmeyer. “But more importantly, is the design that allows that to happen.” Since Fenton’s tragic passing, over 1,000 people have signed a petition advocating for safer conditions in Fairmount Park.
In a somber tribute, advocates utilized speed radar guns to measure the speeds of passing vehicles, underscoring the urgent need for change. Fenton, a passionate cyclist and advocate, was killed at the intersection of Belmont Avenue and the Avenue of the Republic, where at least 41 people have lost their lives in car crashes in or near the park, according to data from Philly Bike Action.
Fenton’s death, along with the incident involving CHOP doctor Barbara Friedes, who was struck and killed by a speeding drunk driver in Center City last year, has spurred renewed calls for safer streets. Advocates stress that the roads should prioritize safety for all users, not just vehicles.
“We should never have streets designed, especially in a park, where people can achieve speeds of 50, 60, 70 miles an hour… and kill people,” Holtmeyer added. “This is definitely a problem of this road being too wide and too straight. There’s nothing to slow anybody down.”
Efforts to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians have intensified following these tragedies. Suzanne Hagner, a member of Families for Safe Streets, emphasized the community’s collective strength, stating, “It’s heartbreaking when families lose a loved one, but today’s event shows we can work together for change.”
Philadelphia has allocated $5 million to the Vision Zero initiative, aiming to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030 through improved street designs and traffic-calming measures. Recently, PennDOT began a repaving project that will introduce a new bike lane encircling City Hall, designed to enhance safety for cyclists.
As advocates continue to push for safer streets, the call for action resonates louder than ever in the city. With the tragic loss of lives like Harry Fenton, the urgency for change in Philadelphia’s road safety culture is clear and pressing.
For ongoing updates and more information on how to support safer streets, stay tuned to local news sources and advocacy groups for the latest developments.
