No more stopping in bike lanes, enviro groups sue over toxic chemical, and how public spaces contribute to thriving democracies

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Stopping in bike lanes now ticketed. PPA began issuing tickets to vehicles blocking the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine Streets in Center City at the beginning of July. Previously, signs along the roads indicated that parking was illegal; they have now been updated to include all stopping. Bicycle advocates say that this kind of enforcement contributes to safer streets for all users. CBS News

Chinatown Stitch funding in jeopardy. The Chinatown Stitch project – a highway cap over Vine Street Expressway – is the latest victim to federal funding cuts and confusion. Over $150 million to advance project construction is now up in the air after President Trump passed his “Big Beautiful Bill” earlier this month. The Philadelphia Inquirer

Environmental groups sue EPA over toxic chemical. Hydrogen fluoride is a deadly chemical used in refineries surrounding Philadelphia. If leaked into the air or on the skin, it can be deadly, cause burns, and damage internal organs. Several environmental groups are suing over the use of this chemical. WHYY

Cuts to SNAP and what that means for Philadelphians. Roughly 55,000 Philadelphians rely on SNAP – or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – to fill in the gap on food insecurity. With an increase in need, Pennsylvania officials and local nonprofits are strategizing and bracing for impact. BillyPenn

Public spaces are necessary for a thriving democracy. Shawn McCaney, the executive director of the William Penn Foundation, writes in this op-ed how accessible public spaces create opportunities for gathering and debate. Paraphrasing historian Lisa Keller, McCaney writes: “if parks are the lungs of the city, they are also its vocal chords.” Next City

Cover photo: Fairmount Park, a public park in Philly. Credit: Claudia Salvato