🚴 The new bike racks on the block | Morning Newsletter
And bundle up this weekend
The Morning Newsletter
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We made it to Friday, one that’s going to see temperatures in the 40s — but prepare for the deep freeze expected to arrive this weekend.
Today we look at the project meant to make the city more friendly to cyclists, curb illegal parking, and ensure firefighters have immediate access to hydrants all in one fell swoop.
— Kerith Gabriel (@sprtswtr, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
Could the savior to our parking, cycling, and fire emergency response woes in this city be solved by a bike rack?
A coalition of government agencies, city planners, and upstart transportation designers think so. And a trio of industrial designers entered a contest to find a solution for all three problems.
The winning group, going by the name Team Sophon, created what you see above, which will be placed near the street space around hydrants.
The design is expected to:
🚴 Create much-needed bike parking in a city where cyclists make up 2.1% percent of the traffic, according to Census data.
🚘 Make it near-impossible for cars to park in a space meant for easy access to fire hydrants, a space you have to stay at least 15 feet away from on either side, and
🧑🚒 Ensure firefighters don’t have to smash the windows of cars within the 15-foot mark.
Our reporter Thomas Fitzgerald has more on the invention and initiative ready to become a reality.
What you should know today
Meet the couple who survived the deadly Fairmount fire but ”lost everything.”
Penn announced that M. Elizabeth Magill will become the school’s third woman to serve as president, succeeding Amy Gutmann.
Also at Penn, professor Amy Wax is back in the news for racist comments. Now lawmakers are calling on the university to revoke her tenure.
Philadelphia will be a pilot city in the postal service’s effort to deliver COVID-19 rapid tests into homes.
The National Guard is helping with the staffing shortages at some Philly-area hospitals.
Flyers captain Claude Giroux was named an NHL All-Star for the seventh time in his career.
State Rep. Martina White, a Northeast Philly Republican and head of the city GOP, introduced a bill that would effectively ban DA Larry Krasner from running for reelection.
Local Coronavirus Numbers: Here’s your daily look at the latest COVID-19 data.
OK, it’s winter-winter out here.
After a Tuesday that marked the coldest day in the last three years, enjoy today’s temps. Because according to the National Weather Service, we’re looking at temperatures that won’t break out of the 20s, with a real feel expected in the single digits. In fact, Saturday is scheduled to break Tuesday’s record with a high of only 25, and we could be again looking at snow showers Saturday into Sunday.
✅ The good news: This arctic blast also helps cleanse the air of harmful particulates and give the atmosphere our reporter Anthony R. Wood referred to as a “thorough rinsing.” Wood, or “AccuTony” as he’s known in our newsroom, also notes that just like the cold air that started the week, the return here at the end of it will also be short-lived.
🐶 Side note: Make sure you remember your pets too.
🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠
Today’s question: You’ll never guess how much is being spent on Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein’s state-of-the-art waterpark along the Atlantic City waterfront — but it’s still fun to try.
a. $20 million
b. $50 million
c. $100 million
What we’re…
💪 Introducing: You to the Delco man who made it his mission to eat 1,000 Philly cheesesteaks.
📚 Reading: How the ‘Panic’ defense is still being used to justify crimes against LGBTQ and trans people in America.
🩸 Asking: Would you ever drink the blood of your significant other like actress Megan Fox and rapper Machine Gun Kelly apparently did while getting engaged?
Photo of the day
That’s my week. My colleague Ashley Hoffman will be in your inbox on Sunday, and I’m back Monday with a rundown of service day events, happenings, and more for MLK Day.
Here’s hoping you enjoy your weekend, someplace warm, and Sunday’s Eagles playoff game. 🦅