We love a car-free MLK Drive, and we’re pretty sure that you do too. Since 2020, this space has provided a safe area for folks to recreate, learn to ride a bike, host a group ride or run, clear your head, and really the list goes on. We want to take some time to gather stories about how you use a car-free MLK Drive and what you love about it.
Why now?
The City has announced that weekend closures will not continue through winter months in 2023/2024 but will start up again in Spring of 2024. As rehabilitation on the MLK Bridge (currently until 2025) and Falls Bridge (starting in 2025) progresses we want to make a clear argument to the city that residents take advantage of one of the largest truly car-free spaces in our city.
There is also an argument to be made that there could be even greater access for pedestrians and people on bicycles once the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is reimagined.
Even before 2020, major cities all over the world have carved out car-free spaces. New York and San Francisco both made huge areas within parks car-free. Bogotá has experimented with car-free spaces since 1974! We want Philadelphia to plan creatively as well.
Share how you use a car-free MLK Drive and what you love about it.
Photos taken by Katie Burns in 2020/2021
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia leads the movement to make every bicycle ride safe, to empower youth and adults to ride, and to foster a ridership that reflects the diversity of the region. Right now the Bicycle Coalition is asking 700 folks to join or renew their support for another year to continue that advocacy and education work. More info here.