Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Pandemic

An electric cargo bike by Tern, one of the companies that is providing e-cycles to Chicago aid organizations.

E-bikes to the rescue: 24 cycles and 12 cargo bikes lent to COVID aid organizations

By Courtney Cobbs | Jul 16, 2020 | No Comments

Bosch, along with Tern Bicycles, Stile Products, Inc., and B-Cycle, is providing 12 cargo e-bikes and 24 e-bikes to 11 public agencies, community groups, and small businesses.

A bus lane in New York. Photo: Dave Colon

Does Chicago need pandemic bus lanes? MPC and UIC experts weigh in

By Courtney Cobbs | Jul 15, 2020 | No Comments

Other cities have been rolling out pandemic bus lanes, but Chicago has taken no action.

Metra commuters earlier this year during the pandemic. Photo: Charles Edward Miller

Metra releases ridership data to help customers avoid crowding

By Courtney Cobbs | Jul 8, 2020 | No Comments

Metra launched a Ridership Dashboard to give riders a heads-up about crowding issues, so that they can make an informed decision when planning their commutes.

The intercity bus station in the West Loop. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Intercity bus companies are struggling financially, but service is slowly resuming

By Igor Studenkov | Jun 29, 2020 | No Comments

Many of the companies ceased operations after ridership plummeted, but they're gradually getting back in gear.

The service drives on Randolph in the West Loop have been pedestrianized for cafe seating. Photo: John Greenfield

Eyes on the Streets: Car-free Cafe Streets Open on Randolph and Taylor

By John Greenfield | Jun 29, 2020 | No Comments

Randolph Street was bustling at 7:30 p.m. on a Saturday night, while at 9:30 p.m. on Taylor Street relatively few restaurants had tables out.

Biagi, right, with 1st Ward alderman Daniel LaSpata and Ben Helphand, president of Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail, at the installation of the Bloomingdale alternative Slow Street route earlier this month. Photo via Helphand

Did Chicago miss the chance to make streets less car-centric? CDOT’s Gia Biagi responds

By John Greenfield | Jun 25, 2020 | No Comments

During an interview with Streetsblog, the CDOT chief also discussed bike lane restriping, pandemic bus lanes, and how she's settling into life at the department.

Historic Black-owned businesses Frances' Cocktail Lounge and Lem's Bar-B-Q on Chathams's 75th Street restaurant strip. Image: Google Maps

New Cafe Streets announced, but so far Black and Latino dining strips are opting out

By John Greenfield | Jun 24, 2020 | No Comments

Announced Cafe Streets in Chatham and Little Village have been cancelled or watered down, which means that so far none are planned on African-American- or Latino-owned restaurant strips.

A rear-door fare card reader. Photo: CTA

CTA planned to install rear-door card readers on entire bus fleet, only did a few dozen

By John Greenfield | Jun 23, 2020 | No Comments

The plan to add rear-door Ventra readers to all 1,800-plus buses would have opened the door to universal all-door boarding. But the initiative never got off the ground.

People flock to the reopened Bloomingdale while maintaining social distance

By Ariel Parrella-Aureli | Jun 22, 2020 | No Comments

The 606 is officially open now, but neighbors say thing aren't that different than last week, when many people were already using it illegally.

Cyclists near Montrose Avenue. Photo: Imelda March

The Lakefront Trail reopens after almost 3 months — with strings attached

By Imelda March | Jun 22, 2020 | No Comments

Trail users told Streetsblog they're happy the path has reopened, but they're bummed about the 7 p.m. closing time and North Avenue to Grand Avenue detour.

Customers wait for the #79 79th bus at the Red Line station. The line has experienced crowding problems. Photo: James Porter

Which CTA bus lines are still seeing crowding during the pandemic?

By Courtney Cobbs | Jun 16, 2020 | No Comments

Yesterday the CTA launched a Ridership Information Dashboard to give riders a heads-up about crowding issues, so they can make an informed decision when planning their commutes.

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