Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about safety

The intersection of Diversey and Albany, looking north, as it appeared in May 2019. The crosswalks have reportedly faded since then. Image: Google Maps

Logan pedestrian fatality highlights how IDOT control of Chicago streets makes us less safe

By John Greenfield | Apr 13, 2021 | No Comments

This horrifying incident has laid bare how the Illinois Department of Transportation having final say on changes to many Chicago streets makes our city more dangerous.

A speed camera on North Avenue near Pulaski Road in Humboldt Park. Photo: John Greenfield

New data shows Chicago’s speed cameras are effective in preventing traffic deaths

By John Greenfield | Mar 4, 2021 | No Comments

Fatal or serious injury crashes increased by 1 percent near speed cameras between 2012-13 and 2017-18, compared to a 19 percent increase citywide.

As it stands, lower-income Illinois municipalities, such as south-suburban Dolton, have obstacles to getting their fair share of transportation infrastructure, especially walking and biking facilities. Two new bills seek to address that. Photo: John Greenfield

Help level the playing field for Illinois walk/bike funding this weekend

By John Greenfield | Feb 26, 2021 | No Comments

Currently there's a highly unfair situation when it comes to state funding for driving, walking, and biking infrastructure. But a new bill under consideration in the state legislature could help fix the problem.

A women-only car in New Dehli, India. Photo: Jordan Worthington

Readers: Women-only transit would be awesome / impractical / sexist / transphobic

By Olivia Grenzebach and John Greenfield | Jan 19, 2021 | No Comments

One thing's for sure: If such a program is going to be implemented in Chicago, it needs to be explicitly inclusive of all women, including trans women, and nonbinary people.

The Prairie Path north of Butterfield Road, looking north. Image: Google Maps

Here’s what we should do to actually make the Illinois Prairie Path safer in Hillside

By John Greenfield | Jan 8, 2021 | No Comments

Both IDOT's plan to reroute the trail, and village trustee hopeful Roger Romanelli's counter-proposal, have shortcomings.

Divvy: Actually, our e-bikes were capped at 15 mph when they launched in July

By John Greenfield | Dec 11, 2020 | No Comments

According to Divvy, the bikes were capped at 15 when they launched in July, but they forgot to reactivate the cap when they relaunched the system after the August civil unrest shutdown.

Former CDOT chief Gabe Klein and Lincoln Park alderman Michele Smith at a press conference on "Stop for Pedestrians" signs in 2011.

Misguided Vision Zero criticism from Smith, sensible speed limit comments from Reilly

By John Greenfield | Nov 3, 2020 | No Comments

Smith argued that Vision Zero should be defunded to pay for better street lighting, but Reilly said he's interested in the possibility of lowering the downtown speed limit to 20 mph.

An attendee at Saturday's protest. Photo: Imelda March

Construction has started to chop off 3 feet of Seneca Park for a turn lane

By Imelda March | Oct 22, 2020 | No Comments

"The park is a precious commodity, and green space should not be displaced for road expansion," said one attendee.

Riding an eletric-assist Divvy bike on the Lakefront Trail. Photo: John Greenfield

Be excellent to each other: How to be a nice person while riding an e-Divvy

By John Greenfield | Oct 14, 2020 | No Comments

Here are some ideas for to help keep yourself and other people safe when you ride an electric Divvy, as well as courtesy tips to help spread good vibes.

The car from this morning's rollover crash at Belmont and LSD. Photo: Beth Medley

There were at least two injury crashes this week near Belmont/LSD, a collision hotspot

By John Greenfield | Sep 4, 2020 | No Comments

It's not clear exactly why this area is a problem spot, but it appears that better guard rail protection is needed.

The city-owned truck at the crash site. Photo via Twitter user @allweeksend

Driver of CDOT-owned truck critically injured female cyclist, 31, at Belmont/Milwaukee

By John Greenfield | Jun 23, 2020 | No Comments

The victim was at least the seventh female or gender-nonconforming cyclist critically injured or killed by a right-turning trucker in Chicago since 2016.

One of the new rear-door fare card readers. Photo: CTA

The CTA is finally going to protect bus drivers and riders with rear-door boarding

By John Greenfield | Apr 9, 2020 | No Comments

The agency will also allow drivers to switch to drop-off-only mode when their buses start getting crowded.

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