Eyes on the Street
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What Kind of Man Rides Divvy in a Suit?
Before Divvy bike-share launched, Tribune transportation reporter Jon Hilkevitch was skeptical Loop professionals would use the systems for short trips and errands. “Will businessmen put their briefcases in the basket on a Divvy bike and ride to meetings, risking sweat stains on expensive suits just to save a couple of dollars on a taxicab and possibly save a tree from pollution?” he wrote.
October 1, 2013
Eyes on the Street: Bikes Allowed on Ridge Avenue for One Day
The city of Evanston transformed Ridge Avenue for two miles yesterday for the annual Bike The Ridge, a car-free open streets event. Normally, Evanston bans bicycle riding on Ridge Avenue, a four-lane arterial through town, but not this past Sunday.
September 30, 2013
“Activate Couch Place” Turns a Humble Passage into a Vibrant “People Alley”
Chicago's 1,900-mile alley system is one of our most important transportation networks and not something to take for granted. In New York City, for example, alleys are scarce. In Chicago neighborhoods, these passageways provide access for shortcuts, garbage collection and the odd pickup basketball game or garage sale. Downtown, they're useful for garbage, deliveries and savvy bike messengers.
September 20, 2013
Eyes on the Street: New Buffered Bike Lanes on Madison Street
Well-designed protected bike lanes are generally far superior to buffered lanes, because it provides actual physical protection from moving cars, not just paint on the road, which encourage more risk-averse people to ride. On the other hand, if protected lanes are off the table, well-executed buffered lanes are nothing to sneeze at.
September 10, 2013
Will Disappearing Bike Lanes Be a Problem With This Year’s Installations?
The Chicago Department of Transportation is currently hustling to construct 35 miles of buffered and protected bike lanes this year, which would bring us to a total of 65 miles of lanes installed under Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The department hopes to reach 100 miles by May 2015. However, in the rush to build a large quantity of lanes, it’s important to keep an eye on quality as well.
September 9, 2013
Eyes on the Street: New Pedestrian Islands on Lawrence Avenue
Three years after the Chicago Department of Transportation presented renderings and details about a proposal to narrow Lawrence Avenue between Clark Street and Western Avenue in Lincoln Square, construction began in June despite late opposition from business owners.
September 6, 2013
Eyes on the Street: A New Plaza Opens By the Loyola Red Line Station
An inviting new plaza complete with benches opened by the renovated CTA Loyola Red Line station house this Tuesday. The $20 million cost was covered by Loyola University -- whose classes started Monday -- and federal grants.
August 30, 2013
Eyes on the Street: Gompers Park Speed Cameras in Effect
In the video, one car will be issued a warning. Watch for the subtle flash reflecting against the trees.
August 27, 2013
Photo Contest: Send Us Your Pictures of Kids on City Streets
Two weeks ago, I posted some thoughts on raising kids in cities and right away, the comments section and Twitter lit up with a fruitful discussion of urban and car-lite parenting.
August 27, 2013