Chicago is just about the only major blue-state city not doing open streets

Active Trans still isn't supporting open streets, but there are indications that its members are getting frustrated with that position.

By John Greenfield

7:17 PM CDT on April 29, 2020

Chicago is just about the only major blue-state city not doing open streets

A Slow Street in Oakland. Photo: Jeff Chu

We just got word from out friends at Streetsblog Los Angeles that the racially diverse Del Rey neighborhood in the Westside of LA is rolling out an Oakland-style Slow Streets program tomorrow. The initiative will prohibit through traffic on side streets to make room for safe socially-distanced walking, running, scooting, skating, skateboarding, and biking during the pandemic. Drivers will be permitted to access local destinations.

As a member of Active Trans, I encourage them to get going on this
— Zack Nauth (@laborboy1) April 28, 2020

I can’t stress enough how important that is. A lot of cities are doing this. Chicagoans deserve it too! @chicagosmayor @AldermanLaSpata https://t.co/FikqOkUyT2
— Steven Leiva (@StevenLeiva1) April 28, 2020

A thousand times yes. @chicagosmayor, @ChicagoDOT, nice weather is coming. The time to prepare for safe outdoor social distancing is now. https://t.co/CLtpUbvZNT
— 55th Street Bike Lane (@55thBike) April 28, 2020

Very much needed! Thank you @streetsblogchi for bringing attention to this issue! Let us work together, exercise, and maintain a safe social distance from our fellow Chicagoans! Unable to do that now without green spaces open a such as lakefront @chicagosmayor @JBPritzker
— KeepNEmHonest (@KeepNEmHonest1) April 28, 2020

John Greenfield

In addition to editing Streetsblog Chicago, John has written about transportation and more for many other local and national publications. A Chicagoan since 1989, he enjoys exploring the city and region on foot, bike, bus, and train.

Streetsblog Chicago