Hey readers, this week we explored how the coronavirus pandemic is revealing a bigger truth about our city streets: they weren't built for people. Social distancing requires that people stay six feet apart to diminish the risk of passing the coronavirus to others, but when sidewalks are as narrow as four or five feet, a stroll down the block can become a game of high-stakes chicken.
This is why in April, Oakland, California, announced it would close 74 miles of streets ― 10% of its grid ― to through traffic for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. And it's not alone. Cities across the U.S. and world are closing streets to traffic in response to the pandemic, offering a glimpse of a world where cars are no longer king.
“It’s a scary time, but it’s also a real opportunity,” said Janette Sadik-Khan, chair of the National Association of City Transportation Officials. “Transportation planning used to be stuck in its ways, and nothing changed for years and years. Now, things are changing overnight.”
What do you think? We'd love to hear from you. Cheers, Laura, Amanda and Kyla | 
