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PHILADELPHIA – For cyclists, pedestrians, and residents navigating Center City, the intersection of 19th and Lombard Streets is a stretch to be feared.<\/p>\n
Frequent lane changes, speeding vehicles, and a history of collisions have turned the corridor into a hotspot for danger. Now, following a fatal crash in September, community members are demanding immediate traffic-calming measures.<\/p>\n
19th and Lombard street dangers <\/p>\n
What they’re saying:<\/p>\n
For local cyclists, Lombard Street is often avoided altogether. Christine Collins says she only travels the route to visit family\u2014and even then, she refuses to ride in the street.<\/p>\n
“Lombard is one of those streets I\u2019m most afraid of biking on because everyone is changing lanes, so not looking for pedestrians, or people on bikes, or scooters whatever,” Collins said. “I\u2019m kind of known in general for terrorizing pedestrians on sidewalks because I\u2019m so afraid of biking on this street.”<\/p>\n
Fellow cyclist Breanne Rosario echoes those safety concerns, noting that aggressive driving makes even stopped positions precarious.<\/p>\n
“I always gotta be careful,” Rosario said. “The cars are always speeding and even if they\u2019ll have a red light or something like that, they might not even fully stop. Or I\u2019ll be in the crosswalk stopped waiting and they\u2019ll like come right [and] inch up to you. It\u2019s like I could still probably get hit if they didn\u2019t stop quick enough\u2014everyone is always speeding here.”<\/p>\n
Frustration Boils Over Online <\/p>\n
Why you should care:<\/p>\n
The danger isn’t just felt by people on two wheels. Residents say vehicle accidents are a regular occurrence, a frustration recently highlighted on the Rittenhouse Square Neighborhood Facebook page.<\/p>\n
Following a crash at the intersection this week, one frustrated resident posted online:<\/p>\n
“Another accident at 19th and Lombard just now\u2026 What else has to happen for traffic slowing systems on Lombard to get put in place?!!? This is beyond frustrating\u2026”<\/p>\n
Remembering Zoe Schemm <\/p>\n
The backstory:<\/p>\n
The urgency behind these calls for change is rooted in tragedy. A makeshift memorial now sits at the intersection to honor 26-year-old Zoe Schemm, a teacher at Belmont Charter in Mantua.<\/p>\n
Back in September, Schemm was struck and killed by a car at the intersection while crossing Lombard Street to catch a bus.<\/p>\n
Kayvon Pourmirzaie, who lives directly on Lombard with his family, says the fatality has shifted how neighbors navigate their own streets.
“That has made us really conscientious while we\u2019ve been walking in our stroller with our baby\u2014right, looking left and right, not even trusting a green light or ‘go,'” Pourmirzaie said.<\/p>\n
While Pourmirzaie loves city living and the recent improvements made to the area, he believes much more needs to be done to slow drivers down, suggesting that automated solutions like traffic enforcement cameras should be considered.<\/p>\n
“Listen, technology can help; it helps with public safety, helps with traffic control, so I think those are things that should definitely be looked into,” Pourmirzaie said.<\/p>\n
As residents continue to advocate for solutions\u2014whether through speed bumps, cameras, or enhanced street design\u2014the community is left asking how many close calls and tragedies it will take before meaningful safety changes arrive on Lombard Street.<\/p>\n
The Source: Information in this story is from interviews with local cyclists and pedestrians on the dangers at 19th and Lombard streets, and previous FOX 29 reporting on the fatal crash on Lombard Street in September 2026.<\/p>\n
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