MLK Jr. Drive in Philadelphia Closed to Motor Vehicles During Pandemic

The closure will give cyclists and pedestrians a safe roadway to use while maintaining social distancing.

1 minute read

March 25, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


MLK Drive Philadelphia

Michael W Murphy / Flickr

Philadelphia’s Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is closed to vehicle traffic indefinitely to offer residents outdoor recreation opportunities during the coronavirus outbreak, reports Randy LoBasso.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia circulated a petition asking the city to close MLK Jr. Drive after the city’s trail system was becoming crowded with users.

"Bicycling on the Kelly Drive Trail is up 471 percent, compared to last year. The trails are only about 12 feet wide, meaning while so many of us are using them for recreation and transportation at this time (since we’ve been encouraged to stay off public transportation), it’s been difficult to maintain the safe six feet of social distance," says LoBasso.

Friday, March 20, 2020 in Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

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