Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Open Streets

Last week's protest over the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Photo: Associated Press

Ahmaud Arbery’s death, mobility justice, and the open streets debate

By Courtney Cobbs | May 11, 2020 | No Comments

For Black and Brown people to feel completely safe walking, biking, or just existing in public space, we need to make fundamental changes in the way our society is structured.

A Healthy Street in Seattle. Image: city of Seattle

What do ATA’s peer organizations across the country think of open streets?

By Igor Studenkov | May 8, 2020 | No Comments

We talked to transportation advocacy organizations in Oakland, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Madison, Wisconsin.

A Slow Street in Oakland. Photo: Jean Walsh

Welcome to the party: ATA finally gets on board with advocating for Open Streets

By John Greenfield | May 6, 2020 | No Comments

The Active Transportation Alliance previously said pushing for more space for walk/bike during the pandemic was "inappropriate," but now that they're on the right page, we're willing to let it slide.

A Slow Street in Oakland. Image via Streetfilms

ATA drops opposition to open streets, but its lukewarm new stance is still disappointing

By Courtney Cobbs | May 1, 2020 | No Comments

While the Active Transportation Alliance says it's "excited" by the global open streets movement, it passes the buck on actually advocating it, and provides a long list of potential downsides.

A Slow Street in Oakland. Photo: City of Oakland

A summit on open streets with Lynda Lopez, Naomi Doerner, and Ayanna Pressley

By Sharon Hoyer | May 1, 2020 | No Comments

The conversation focused on the importance -- and challenges -- of identifying the unique problems faced by different communities and addressing them accordingly.

The 79th Street Red Line station. Crowding on the #79 bus has been an issue during the pandemic. Photo: James Porter

A tale of two Chicagos: The South and West sides have different pandemic priorities than the North Side

By Courtney Cobbs | Apr 17, 2020 | No Comments

There are multiple reasons why open street may not be a pressing concern for Black and Latinx Chicago residents during the pandemic, but it can be part of the solution for improving access to open space.

A "Slow Street" in Oakland. Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

MPC, Council on Global Affairs staffers urge the city to open streets during pandemic

By Sharon Hoyer | Apr 16, 2020 | No Comments

Sidewalks, parks, and trails are crowded in Chicago, and speeding and sever crashes are up. Local transportation leaders say it's time for an open streets program.

Increased walk/bike during the pandemic is an opportunity to improve our streets

By Courtney Cobbs | Apr 8, 2020 | No Comments

While Chicago has been closing trails and parks in response to crowding during the pandemic, we should be opening streets to make room for safe, socially-distanced recreation.

An emergency bike lane in Bogotá. Photo via Taiwan News

Leaders from SF, Philly, Duluth and Bogotá discuss open streets as a public health strategy

By Courtney Cobbs | Apr 7, 2020 | No Comments

Having supportive city officials has been key to opening opening up streets to people during the COVID-19 crisis.

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 pandemic, cities are recognizing it makes sense to take road space away from cars and give it to people.

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Miraculous! Philly’s Open Streets Open Eyes During Papal Visit

By Angie Schmitt | Sep 29, 2015 | No Comments

Father-son soccer in the street on 16th near Spruce pic.twitter.com/Mt47dbiHJo — Will Bunch (@Will_Bunch) September 27, 2015 The official name for it was the “traffic box” — the 4.7-square-mile chunk of center city Philadelphia where incoming motor vehicles weren’t allowed when Pope Francis was in town this weekend. But rather than the traffic nightmare some anticipated, […]

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