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

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

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).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Man in teal shirt opening door to white microtransit shuttle with cactus graphics and making inviting gesture toward the camera.

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.

15 minutes ago - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Group of people at table set ouf with picnic food on street during a neighborhood block party.

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.

1 hour ago - The Kansas City Star

Crowd gathered with protest signs on April 5, 2025 on steps of Minnesota state capitol protesting Trump cuts to social security and other federal programs.

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.

2 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine