Speeding driver kills bicyclist in Fairmount Park Hit and Run

September 03, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement: Speeding driver kills bicyclist in Fairmount Park Hit and Run

On Tuesday morning around 9:50AM, Harry Fenton was killed by a speeding driver while riding his bike at the intersection of Belmont Avenue, and the Avenue of the Republic in the center of West Fairmount Park. Harry was cycling across Belmont Ave when he was struck by one of two vehicles speeding along the road. Neither driver stopped.

Harry was a resident of Society Hill, a supporter of safer cycling infrastructure, and a Philly Bike Action member who attended District 1 meetings. He was working on getting the tour buses to stop parking in the bike lane at 6th and Chestnut.

This is yet another heartbreaking death that could have been prevented by safe street design and protected bicycle infrastructure. It is a reminder to City Council and to PennDOT that these life saving measures need their approval and funding. 

Belmont Avenue is on the High Injury Network — a map of Philadelphia’s most dangerous roads, responsible for 80% of all traffic deaths and serious injuries. Belmont is designed for high speeds; it has up to five lanes of traffic, a straight and wide orientation, and ample time to build up speed between intersections. It’s often used as a rat-run for drivers looking to avoid traffic on I-76. This is the 2nd fatal crash on Belmont Avenue in the last two months.

Belmont Avenue also bisects West Fairmount Park. Parks should be places for people to enjoy nature, play sports, and gather with friends and family. However, Fairmount Park is patently hostile to people, with high-speed roads throughout and non-existent or crumbling paths, lanes, and trails for pedestrians and cyclists. Less than a year ago, a wheelchair user was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in East Fairmount Park in a section with no sidewalk, bike lane, or trail. Belmont Avenue is one of at least eight roads on the High Injury Network that run through Fairmount Park! While other cities like New York and San Francisco have closed their parks permanently to traffic, Philadelphia leaders have done nothing. No one should have to fear car traffic while using our parks.

Philly Bike Action calls on the City Council, Mayor Parker, and PennDOT to enact comprehensive solutions to this systemic problem. We urgently need low-cost, quick-build solutions for traffic calming, and policy that ensures all new road projects include safety upgrades for vulnerable road users. We urge city leaders to slow and remove traffic to return Fairmount Park to the clean, green, safe treasure it ought to be.

Our thoughts remain with Harry Fenton, his family and loved ones, and all those affected by traffic violence.

Philly Bike Action