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Exit interview with former 47th Ward COS Josh Mark: For bike and bus upgrades to be successful, “they need to be thorough and complete.”
Recently, Josh Mark stepped down as chief of staff for the 47th Ward, represented by Ald. Matt Martin. The North Side district contains parts of North Center, Lincoln Square, Uptown, and Lakeview, and Martin is one of Chicago's most sustainable transportation-friendly City Council members. Many walking, biking, transit, and equitable TOD projects have happened in the ward since he took office in May 2019. Especially in recent years when Mark served as COS, he's been a key lieutenant to the alder who helped get those things done.
March 19, 2026
In December I asked Archer project opponent Claudia Zuno if she was seeking office. “No I’m not.” Last week she announced her alder campaign.
Update 2/26/26, noon: On Facebook, a reader commented, "I don't even see how [opposition to Safe Streets and support for Trumpism] are connected." My response: "The Archer situation is clearly an example of right-leaning organizations and politicians like Urban Center and Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) taking advantage of (understandable) discontent over a Complete Streets project to try to win a sympathetic City Council seat. We're trying to shine light on this problematic strategy before it becomes a citywide issue, which would have a negative impact on politics, as well as traffic safety."
February 26, 2026
Of Montreal: What Chicago can learn about winter bikeway maintenance from “The City of Saints”
This article was written by John Greenfield, with additional research by Cameron Bolton
February 3, 2026
Never mind the “Archer Guardians” NIMBYs – here’s proof that yesterday wasn’t “too cold for bikers” on Archer Avenue
Check out the Gage Park Cyclists Facebook group here.
January 27, 2026
CBS’s one-sided and misleading report about Archer Avenue is a great example of how *not* to cover a traffic safety project
Update 12/6/25 12:15 AM: As discussed on the Facebook post for this article, car activists are planning a protest against the Archer Complete Streets project this Monday 12/8, 4:30 p.m. at Ald. Ramirez's office, 3836 S. Archer Avenue. The nearby group Gage Park Cyclists is inviting supporters of the street remix to show up to demonstrate support for the plan.
December 5, 2025
We asked CDOT what’s on tap for properly maintaining Chicago’s protected bike lanes after snowstorms.
The department needs to promptly plow bikeways after blizzards, or else face arguments that riders were better off with old-style, paint-only bike lanes.
December 4, 2025
Naysayers made noise about Kedzie and Archer Complete Street projects. Ald. Ramirez and CDOT discussed why the safety upgrades are needed.
This piece features reporting by Austin Busch, with additional background info and commentary by John Greenfield.
November 26, 2025
Ald. Dowell forcing CDOT to tear out portions of already-installed bike lane protection on 18th shows what’s wrong with aldermanic prerogative
An old editor of mine at the Chicago Reader gave me a good writing tip: "Let chronology work for you." With that advice in mind, let me share some info about the 18th Street protected bike lane debacle on the Near South Side, in the order that it's been revealed.
November 21, 2025
Eyes on the street: Taking a spin on the new-and-improved Milwaukee protected bike lanes in River West, with a few constructive criticisms
Last December, the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board blamed the diagonal Milwaukee Avenue bikeway for traffic jams created by car commuters fleeing Kennedy Expressway construction. "[On] many of the former alternate routes, such as... Milwaukee [the Chicago Department of Transportation has] reduced... vehicular capacity by adding bike lanes," they stated. "Those roads don’t offer any meaningful relief from a clogged expressway anymore."
October 1, 2025
