Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Chicago Riverwalk

A security guard patrols the eastern section of the Chicago Riverwalk. It's still legal to bike on the riverwalk, but guards are ordering cyclists to dismount. Image: John Greenfield

New Riverwalk Design and Bogus Bike Enforcement Eliminate a Safe Cycling Route

By John Greenfield | May 15, 2019 | 28 Comments

The new design of the eastern riverwalk is hostile to cycling, and security guards are ordering cyclists to dismount, although it's still legal to ride there.

Signs and markings on the offramp from the Lakefront Trail to the riverwalk encourage people to bike to the promenade, but other signs threaten prosecution if they ride there. Photo: John Greenfield

Eyes on the Street: Mixed Messages on the Riverwalk

By John Greenfield | Oct 15, 2018 | 14 Comments

While signs and markings on the Lakefront Trail lead cyclists to the riverwalk, signs at the promenade warn that they'll be prosecuted if they ride there, even though it's still legal to do so.

The City Has Posted Signs Threatening Prosecution for Biking on Riverwalk

By John Greenfield | Oct 10, 2018 | 19 Comments

Unless Alderman Reilly's proposed ordinance passes, which hasn't happened yet, you have every right to ride your bike (courteously, of course) on the riverwalk.

Drivers Struck 296 People in Reilly’s Ward in the Last Year, No Reported Riverwalk Crashes

By John Greenfield and Steven Vance | Oct 3, 2018 | 6 Comments

The car-pedestrian crashes included 48 cases with incapacitating injuries, but there have been no media reports of serious bike/ped crashes in the ward. So why is Alderman Reilly focused on banning bikes on the riverwalk?

The Chicago Riverwalk. Photo: John Greenfield

Active Trans Comes Out Against Ald. Reilly’s Absurd Proposal to Ban Biking on the Riverwalk

By John Greenfield | Sep 20, 2018 | 30 Comments

The advocacy group points out that the riverwalk was originally conceived as a bike facility, but notes that congestion could be reduced by adding protected lanes to Upper Wacker.

“Walk Your Bike” Signs Were Installed After One Cranky Guy Threatened to Sue the City

By John Greenfield | Sep 5, 2018 | 10 Comments

The signs discouraging all cyclists from using the riverwalk were put in after a guy was asked to walk his bike through a crowded area griped about it to the mayor's office.

Ignore Those New Signs — It’s Legal to Bike on the Riverwalk

By John Greenfield | Sep 4, 2018 | 7 Comments

The city pitched the riverwalk as a bikeway, but now it's telling us not to bike on it.

The Wanda Vista Tower developers will be building a glass elevator from Upper Wacker to the riverwalk at Columbus.

Details on Plans for the Riverwalk Between Michigan Avenue and the Lake

By John Greenfield | Aug 6, 2018 | 4 Comments

The improvements include a new elevator to add wheelchair access, and a better bike/ped connection from the Lakeshore East development.

Take a Virtual Bike Ride on the Riverwalk From Lake Street to the Lake

By John Greenfield | Oct 31, 2016 | 9 Comments

The Chicago Riverwalk extension might not have gotten built if it didn’t function as a car-free transportation corridor as well as a space for recreation. The project was funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act program, which provided a $98 million loan. The project also received $10 million in state […]

The Final Segment of the Chicago Riverwalk Set to Open This Weekend

By John Greenfield and Steven Vance | Oct 19, 2016 | 7 Comments

If all goes well, starting this weekend you’ll be able to walk most of the way from the Ogilvie Center to Michigan Avenue on a car-free, if somewhat circuitous, route. At a media preview of the final section of the Chicago Riverwalk expansion this afternoon, Mayor Emanuel said he’s confident that the new recreational space, […]

2015 Was a Great Year for Chicago Transportation and Public Spaces

By John Greenfield | Dec 28, 2015 | No Comments

[The Chicago Reader recently launched a new weekly transportation column written by Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield. This partnership will allow Streetsblog to extend the reach of our livable streets advocacy. We’ll be syndicating a portion of the column on the day it comes out online; you can read the remainder on the Reader’s website […]

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