Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Chicago

34th Street in Queens is one of several New York City roadways that is being opened for car-free recreation. Photo: Shekar Krishnan via Twitter

Database documents cities that are repurposing car space during the pandemic

By Steven Vance | Mar 29, 2020 | No Comments

During the global pandemic, cities around the world are recognizing it makes sense to take road space that is usually used for moving and storing cars and instead give it to people. They’re reallocating the right-of-way from travel lanes and parking to create emergency bikeways for essential workers, and open space where residents can safely […]

Residents attempting to practice social distancing on The 606 yesterday. Photo: Michael Burton

Closing trails during pandemic, without opening streets, is misguided and inequitable

By John Greenfield | Mar 26, 2020 | No Comments

If the closures are going remain in effect, the mayor should at least follow New York's lead by creating more space for safe, socially-distanced recreation elsewhere.

If crowding on the Lakefront Trail gets worse, this may become the only way to practice social distancing. (Note that this method won't protect you from gangsters and angry luchadores.) Image: Jonathan Roth

Chicago’s lack of car-free streets is creating unsafe crowding on trails during the pandemic

By John Greenfield | Mar 25, 2020 | No Comments

To help Chicagoans to travel and recreate safely, without being exposed to the virus or dangerous drivers, let's create a citywide network of car-free major streets.

San Francisco mayor London Breed. Image: ABC News

San Francisco is ordering residents to “shelter in place.” All major cities should do that.

By John Greenfield | Mar 16, 2020 | No Comments

It's probably only a matter of time before Chicago does the same thing, and all other big cities should follow suit.

Report: Chicago’s dockless scooter pilot came up short on Black and Latino ridership

By Igor Studenkov | Mar 13, 2020 | No Comments

During last summer's scooter pilots, the devices got good use, but not in communities of color. A new study has recommendations on addressing that issue.

An Open Streets event on Chicago's State Street in the early 2010s. Photo: John Greenfield

We need to de-prioritize driving and create more child-friendly streets

By Courtney Cobbs | Mar 13, 2020 | No Comments

Decision-makers worry about inconveniencing motorists, but we should instead focus on making it safer to transport children without driving, and creating streets where kids can safely spend time.

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