Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Policy & Planning

Omaha's only protected bike lane, a pilot project on a 1.5-mile stretch of Harney Street, was installed last summer. Image: Google Maps

No, Chicago biking isn’t worse than Jacksonville or Omaha. But we’ve still got a long way to go.

By John Greenfield | Jan 27, 2022 | No Comments

Yes, Chicago got screwed by People for Bikes' flawed rating system. But we still have lots of work to do need to make cycling as safe, enjoyable, and normalized as it is in truly great cycling cities.

Officials, including local alderman Tom Tunney (44th), CTA President Dorval Carter, Jr., Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Senator Dick Durbin, and Representative Jan Schakowsky, at yesterday's groundbreaking. Photo: City of Chicago

RPM program enters next phase with start of Belmont-Cornelia track reconstruction

By John Greenfield | Jan 25, 2022 | No Comments

According to the CTA, the curve in these century-old tracks slow down trains, and rebuilding and straightening them will allow for faster speeds, better reliability, and a more comfortable ride.

A protected bike lane on California Boulevard near Douglass Park. Photo: Ruth Rosas

How have biking conditions been in Latine communities this winter?

By Ruth Rosas | Jan 24, 2022 | No Comments

If they are not cleared, these bikeways that are supposed to help us ride safely instead wind up constraining our mobility.

Una ciclovía protegido en California Boulevard cerca de Douglass Park. Foto: Ruth Rosas

¿Cómo están las condiciones de las ciclovías en las comunidades latinas?

By Ruth Rosas | Jan 24, 2022 | No Comments

Si no limpian, estas ciclovías que nos deben ayudar a andar con seguridad terminan con restringiendo nuestra movilidad.

A resident receives a sack supper from Kyanna Johnson, an outreach worker for The Night Ministry, at a CTA Blue Line station. Photo: The Night Ministry

Recent events highlight urgent need for Chicago to address homelessness, CTA crime

By John Greenfield | Jan 24, 2022 | No Comments

News items about stabbing and a robbery on the 'L', along with discussions of the increase in unhoused people sheltering on trains, smoking, and littering underscore the need for a prompt and humane response.

The 7600 block of West Touhy, where the driver struck Haljean. Image: Google Maps

Driver killed retired CPD officer Richard Haljean, 57, on speed-plagued stretch of Touhy

By John Greenfield | Jan 22, 2022 | No Comments

At a community meeting in 2016, many residents had expressed support for adding speed cameras on Touhy in the area.

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