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

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.
FULL STORY: MLK Drive: Closed to Motor Vehicles, Open to (Socially-Distanced) People

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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Planning for Universal Design
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