Charlotte closes streets to cars, creating more open spaces during coronavirus
The weekend weather was chilly, but that didn’t stop some Charlotte residents from pumping up bike tires, lacing up running shoes and hitting the pavement for some exercise.
For weekend warriors who may be tired of hitting the same familiar routes, here’s some good news: Beginning Saturday, almost 3 new miles of running, walking and cycling options were launched as roads in Dilworth, Myers Park and Plaza Midwood were closed to thru-traffic.
The City of Charlotte’s new Shared Streets program allows for more open spaces for exercise. During the novel coronavirus COVID-19, extra space to socially distance while enjoying some fresh air is just what the doctor ordered.
With this initiative, Charlotte joins other U.S. cities in closing streets to allow more space for exercise. On Thursday, Seattle’s mayor announced the city would permanently close 20 miles of streets to cars. Oakland, California, is closing 74 miles (10 percent) of its streets. For now in Charlotte, only three streets are closed, but if all goes well, plans for more are on the way.
Sustain Charlotte has been an advocate for the Charlotte Department of Transportation in its Shared Streets program. The program is listed as temporary on its website — yet “at this point, I think the city would like to make these permanent,” Sustain Charlotte founder and executive director Shannon Binns told CharlotteFive on Saturday.
“Some cities, like Seattle, have decided to permanently close their streets. They know the need for safe places to walk and bike is not going to end when business resumes and the crisis is behind us. A lot of cities like Seattle, New York, Paris, Portland, Charlotte are really looking at this as an opportunity to re-imagine how our streets are used and who are they accessible to,” Binns said.
“Streets are our largest public space. They are owned by the public, but largely over the last 60, 70 years they’ve been turned over to people who drive. Thirty percent of Charlotteans do not own a car. This is an attempt to make sure that there’s equitable access for all people, no matter how they choose to get around.”
Here are Charlotte’s closed streets:
Smart Streets, Phase 1
Currently in effect
Plaza Midwood
McClintock Road from The Plaza to Morningside Drive
Selfie opp: Look for the “You Can! Stay Safe & Stay Distanced” sign.
Dilworth
Romany Road (Bike Route 11) from Euclid Avenue to Kenilworth Avenue
Selfie opp: Look for the “You Can! Run With Your Dog (Not Your Friends)“ sign.
Myers Park
Jameston Drive/Irby Drive/Westfield Road from Freedom Park to Brandywine Road
Selfie opp: Look for the “You Can! Safety Free Wheel It On The Streets” sign.
Future potential Shared Streets locations
Safety note: participating streets are closed to thru-traffic, though emergency vehicles and resident vehicles will be allowed access.
