Philadelphia announces plan to reopen MLK Drive to vehicular traffic, despite the road having on average one death per year and more than 20 serious crashes.

Despite nearly 6000 Philadelphians asking Mayor Kenney and the City to reimagine MLK Drive, the government has succumbed to car culture and announced that MLK Drive will be open to vehicles on August 4th at 5 PM.

MLK drive announcement is a let down for sure. Thanks to the nearly 6,000 people who signed the petition to reimagine the Drive and the 26 community orgs, departments and businesses who met with us to talk about the future of the Drive.

— Randy LoBasso (@RandyLoBasso) July 20, 2021

The city IS going to reduce the number of lanes from four to two, although the “bike lane” will be delineated by a yellow line instead of a protected bike lane. The City will close MLK Drive on weekends from 5 AM to 5 PM to motor vehicles, ending in October.

The City of Philadelphia shut down MLK Drive 24/7 to vehicles on March 20, 2020 after a petition by the  Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. According to the Bicycle Coalition, the road has become popular and one of the most-used outdoor spaces in the city, even as many people as using the Schuylkill Banks trails.

MLK Drive is a part of Philadelphia’s High Injury Network, which is 12% of the streets that has 80% of all traffic deaths and serious injuries, according to Billy Penn.

The City did repave the drive last week, and also painted a rat with the striping machine.

For more information about the Bicycle Coalition’s response, visit their website.

I’ve gotten so many positive messages from people over the last 16 months saying MLK Drive being open kept them sane during the pandemic. Extremely grateful for those messages and really glad it was such a positive thing for so many.

— Randy LoBasso (@RandyLoBasso) July 20, 2021

Cover Photo: Poster in MLK Drive in July 2020. Sign reads: Having it all is a distinct possibility. (Except in the City of Philadelphia…)

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher