Enthusiasm for curbs: CDOT has added concrete protection to the West Side’s Douglas and Franklin boulevards
As in 2023, the Chicago Department of Transportation has been busy installing new bikeways across the city this year. As of this writing, the city’s website that tracks the installations lists 42 completed segments this year so far, with 20 more underway. Two of them are part of my return commute from a workplace in Englewood to my home Logan Square, and they're a welcome bit of infrastructure on a ride that includes the some of the best and worst aspects of biking in our city.
October 15, 2024
CDOT, alders Rodriguez and Vasquez propose making Argyle at North Shore Channel Trail one-way WB
No word yet on whether a contraflow bike lane would be added to facilitate eastbound cycling from the path on the west side of rider to the east side.
August 16, 2024
Reopened Grayland Metra viaduct, near locations where drivers killed 2 cyclists, now has curb-protected bike lanes
And a few blocks away, CDOT is installing a Neighborhood Greenway on Long Avenue, where drivers recently injured and killed teens on bikes.
August 1, 2024
This is Grand! CDOT cuts ribbon on new protected bike lanes on a key West Side diagonal street
The project also has lots of other nifty Complete Streets features, like raised crosswalks, bus islands, and the conversion of a dangerous slip lane to a new plaza.
July 18, 2024
The photo project Chicagoans Who Bike encourages more people to ride, one story at a time
Photographer and interviewer Viktor Köves talks to residents he meets all over the city about their cycling habits, with the goal of getting more folks on spokes.
June 27, 2024
CDOT built it, they came: New report shows Chicago leads the nation in biking growth
The study's findings contrast with People for Bikes studies that repeatedly ranked Chicago as one of the very worst large U.S. cities for cycling.
May 28, 2024
One agency to rule them all: Advocates are cautiously optimistic about proposed bill to combine the 4 Chicago area transit bureaus
The Active Transportation Alliance, Commuters Take Action, and Equiticity weigh in on the proposed legislation.
May 1, 2024
TLC in the IMD: the Illinois Medical District Commission releases bike and pedestrian safety plan
Five proposed projects would improve walking and biking safety - and beautify - the IMD.
April 12, 2024
The Reader’s Katie Prout talks about tracking opioid overdose deaths on CTA at Chi Hack Night
Although it's legal in Illinois for non-medical professionals to administer Narcan to stop overdoses, Prout said CTA employees told her they're not allowed to do so.
March 25, 2024
“We’re all equally in danger”: Ride Illinois launches statewide bike fatality awareness campaign
The statewide bicycle advocacy organization recently announced its “Our Response to Fatal Crashes” campaign, an effort to raise awareness of the traffic violence crisis across Illinois.
January 30, 2024