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America’s Most Toxic Car Ads: Dodge Truancy v. Mercedes Benz E-Class

By Kea Wilson | Oct 16, 2021 | No Comments

Today, we’re looking at two spots that might initially seem like opposites: a nostalgic ode to the 1980s NASCAR aesthetic, and a starry-eyed love-letter to an autonomous driving future that America is nowhere near achieving.

Boulevard Bikes owner Kevin Womac on the Lincoln Village Pedestrian Bridge, aka the Stone-Free Bridge, a little north of Peterson Avenue (6000 N.) Photo: John Greenfield

Dissenting opinions: Why do some bike shop owners oppose the Pratt bike bridge?

By John Greenfield | Oct 15, 2021 | No Comments

The arguments against building the bridge don't outweigh the positives: safer, more convenient, and more pleasant east-west bike and pedestrian access.

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Today’s Headlines for Friday, October 15

By John Greenfield | Oct 15, 2021 | No Comments

Metra unveils 2022 operating, capital budgets (Rail Age) Man charged with 4 felonies for punching senior, pushing her onto ‘L’ tracks at Cermak Green (ABC) Man charged with aggravated battery in attack on woman, 18, on Blue Line near Washington (CBS) Bike Box in North Lawndale Bike Box offers free loaner bikes, repairs, affordable cycles […]

A Metra train passes through the West Loop. Photo: Seth Anderson.

New Metra station proposed near Kinzie/Ashland, but it wouldn’t open until at least 2032

By Igor Studenkov | Oct 14, 2021 | No Comments

The new facility could potentially serve as a stop for all four Metra lines that currently run through the neighborhood.

Scooter riders on Milwaukee Avenue in River West during the 2019 pilot. Photo: John Greenfield

Scooters now a permanent part of Chicago’s mobility mix, plus deets on Divvy scooters

By John Greenfield | Oct 14, 2021 | No Comments

The ordinance authorizes CDOT to amend its existing Divvy contract to expand to docked scooter-sharing within the bike-share station area.

A photo of orderly scooter parking posted by the new pro-scooter (and tie-die-friendly) Twitter feed Chicago Scooters Are Fine.

Permanent scooter program passes in committee, goes on for full Council vote on Thursday

By Courtney Cobbs | Oct 13, 2021 | No Comments

Today the Chicago City Council’s Transportation and Public Way Committee passed an ordinance permanently legalizing e-scooter share within the city. You can read yesterday’s Streetsblog’s coverage of the ordinance to learn more background information. The committee started off its meeting with the discussion of the scooter ordinance. A public comment period started off with Oboi Reed […]

The Blue Island Vermont St. Station. Photo: Metra

Metra board approves $3.1M contract for rehab of Rock Island Line’s Vermont St. station

By John Greenfield | Oct 13, 2021 | No Comments

Hopefully the planned pedestrian upgrades will involve making it safer and easier to cross Vermont Avenue between the Rock Island and Metra Electric stations.

Today’s Headlines for Wednesday, October 13

By John Greenfield | Oct 13, 2021 | No Comments

ATA endorses permanent scooter program, calls for citywide protected bike/scooter lane network More coverage of the upcoming e-scooter ordinance vote (Tribune, CBS) More coverage of Equiticity’s “Biking Where Black” study (Tribune, The Hill) 2 potential buyers for Thompson Center submitted proposals to the state, no word on demolition (Patch) Person in car shot and critically […]

On eve of Council rental e-scooter vote, aldermen and reps push for permanent legalization

By John Greenfield | Oct 12, 2021 | No Comments

If the transportation committee passes the legislation on Wednesday. the ordinance will go before the City Council for a full vote on Thursday.