The region's sustainable transportation news and advocacy website, helping to make the city and suburbs better since 2013. Posts: @johngreenfield.bsky.social (unsigned) and @stevevance.net.
3,439 followers 30 following 1,754 posts
view profile on Bluesky
Interesting! 🚌 🚃 🚉 💵 State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles: Labor agreed to allow interest from IL road-fund dollars to be used for the transit fiscal cliff. Gov. J.B. Pritzker should do the same with the approximately $3 billion rainy day fund. @ctaction.org @betterstreetschicago.org
Op-ed in Crain's from Conor Durkin and Richard Day (an SBC contributor) from A City That Works: "Grocery taxes hit low-income families six times harder than high-income ones."
The prez of an Edgewater nabe club, railed against "affordable housing advocates from outside community" supporting Broadway upzoning. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/04/16/h... She has a new op-ed in Trib on supposed Broadway "win-win compromise." www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/02/o... @stevevance.net
You don’t want to drive on a street with speed cameras because you want to speed so bad? Sounds pretty ideal - stay away from our streets if you don’t know how to drive. Cyclists and pedestrians will thank you for your choice. @chi.streetsblog.org
A hit-and-run driver seriously injured a pedestrian, 19, last Sunday near 76th/Cicero in the Clearing neighborhood. abc7chicago.com/post/pedestr... Local Ald. Marty Quinn (13) voted against lowering Chicago's speed limit. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/02/19/m... @swcollectivechi.bsky.social
Could this policy serve as nasal decongestant for bike lanes? 👃 🚲 @bikelaneuprising.bsky.social
Here's a summary of six 2025 Chicago pedestrian fatality cases that Streetsblog has not previously reported on, based on CPD and CDOT data, as well as local news reports.
Hahahaha. 🤦🏻♂️ The sept 2 start date was removed. No specific start date in September. @chi.streetsblog.org
Driver discussing new speed cameras: If can't drive 6 mph over speed limit, a speed at which a struck person will usually die, without getting a ticket, "I won't drive down the street." @chicago.suntimes.com
Headlines: Red Line service between Howard and Belmont suspended due to medical emergency; Driver critically injured man, 21, at 13th/Halsted, where trucker killed Karl Hall, 44, last year; $425K awarded to ex-CTA worker fired for refusing COVID vaccine.
AIA Chicago is having a guided bike tour through Woodlawn and Washington Park (open to the public) on 9/20/25. “Along this 10-mile route—beginning at Experimental Station’s cultural hub—we’ll explore new urban and community landmarks that offer more than striking architecture.”
Uptown Extension protected bike lanes on Clark between Montrose and Winnemac are coming along nicely. 👍 Background: chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/18/uptown-girl-installation-of-the-uptown-extension-protected-bike-lane-on-clark-from-montrose-to-winnemac-is-slated-to-start-today @bikegridnow.org
Take a virtual ride on the nifty new protected bike lanes on Belmont west of the Blue Line station in Avondale via our handlebar videos. #GothGreenway @bikegridnow.org @chicritmass.bsky.social
Headlines ICYMI: Block Club looks at the Safe Streets project celebration featuring alders who voted against lower speed limit; Fire at Metra substation shut down lines; Lombard cracks down on e-motos.
Local residents can still push back against the elimination of many of The 78's previously proposed sustainable transportation upgrades. There will be a 3rd Ward Community Meeting on Zoom on Tuesday, September 9 at 6 p.m. Register here. us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... @stevevance.net
Sustainable transportation advocates argue that building a Chicago Fire soccer stadium on The 78 land in the South Loop, without including previously planned walk/bike/transit upgrades, would be a net loss for Chicago. ⚽️ 🚗 🚗 🚗 ☁️ ☁️ ☁️ chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/27/t... @stevevance.net
The CTA encourages you to ride transit to the Chicago Jazz Festival to enjoy "all the cool and snazzy tunes." 🎷 😎 @chicagocta.bsky.social
"Averting the Fiscal Cliff: The Road to Regional & High-Speed Rail" talk and luncheon Friday 10/10, 11 AM at The Collective, 120 S. Riverside. Speakers include Rep. Kam Buckner, ATA's ED Amy Rynell, and Metra planning director David Kralik. 🚌 🚃 🚊 🍽️ @betterstreetschicago.org @chicagocta.bsky.social
At the celebration of a Safe Streets project on Long Ave., Ald. Cruz and Ald. Sposato, left, explained why they voted against lowering Chicago's speed limit. Speeding drivers fatally struck 3 pedestrians in Sposato's ward this year. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/29/a... @betterstreetschicago.org
In case you were wondering, CDOT has *not* been a Flying Dutchman-style ship without a captain since Commissioner Tom "Master of Potholes" Carney stepped down last month. Former 1st Deputy Craig Turner is currently Acting Commissioner. @stevevance.net @betterstreetschicago.org @bikegridnow.org
Chicago Fire wants to build a soccer stadium in The 78 development. But current plans don't achieve previous walk/bike/transit goals, such as a new Red Line stop. Advocates should play defense, or we'll have a Messi situation on our hands. ⚽ 🚆 chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/27/t... @stevevance.net
Headlines ICYMI: ATA: >70 orgs urge lawmakers to pass transit funding & reform"; "Metra train derailment near Union Station disrupts 3 lines"; Wauconda forever! Suburb's Street Dance, Safe Ride event offers discounted Lyft trips home. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/28/t... @atalliance.bsky.social
I put together a quick-and-dirty cost-benefit analysis for fully funding the RTA over at @chi.streetsblog.org. Even under the most conservative plausible assumptions the benefits of funding transit still easily outweighed the costs. Check it out! chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/26/a...
"Get your motor runnin' Head out on the... bikeway?" 🎵 It's unsafe to ride "e-motos" at high speeds on routes used by pedestrians and non-electric bike riders. However, ≤20mph e-bikes such as Divvies shouldn't be banned from bike lanes and paths. @chicritmass.bsky.social @rideillinois.bsky.social
Why should car companies and the road building lobby have all the political clout? Here's our writeup of the recent launch of Chicago BikePAC, an effort to elect more alders who support sustainable transportation. @stevevance.net @rideillinois.bsky.social @atalliance.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org
Chicago-based Bike Lane Uprising's bikeway obstruction reporting platform is "Ram Tough." bsky.app/profile/bike...
@hsrail.bsky.social: "Metra’s South Chicago Branch and the Illinois Quantum Campus." www.hsrail.org/blog/metras-...
WE MADE IT!! Granville redesign from kedzie to kenmore. 1/
Headlines: A City That Works: "Federal rules do not prevent CTA from making smart cuts"; "Extra stops on tracks for BNSF riders, and more stops on the UPW: Here's what it means for you"; What a drag! "Is CTA to blame for flooding at Baton Show Lounge?"
Guest contributor Daniel Koslovsky put on his policy analyst hat to write a quick cost-benefit analysis of saving Chicagoland transit from the $771M fiscal cliff, and investing $1.5B to improve service. @stevevance.net @betterstreetschicago.org @ctaction.org @chicagocta.bsky.social
"Sen. Mike Simmons and Rep. Hoan Huynh discuss how to cut red tape and win funding to save and improve Chicagoland transit." chi.streetsblog.org/2025/07/22/s...
"State Sen. Ram Villivalam: Here’s how we can stop Chicagoland transit from falling off the fiscal cliff." chi.streetsblog.org/2025/07/24/s...
"No harm in asking: Illinois Senate President don Harmon answers our questions about the likelihood of a summer vote on a transit funding bill." chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/01/n...
"Should we bet on Welch? House Speaker Chris Welch: My team will present a transit funding plan by fall veto session and 'get it done right.'" chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/06/s...
"Enter the Capitol (2 chambers): Has perfection been the enemy of the good in passing transit bill? rep. Kam Buckner says no, citing the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan." chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/07/e...
🧵 by request: Recent interviews with IL legislators about efforts to pass a transit funding and reform bill, in reverse chronological order. "Leader Delgado thinks Springfield can solve the transit fiscal crisis during six days in October." chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/20/i... @stevevance.net
Hopeful sign? Gov. Pritzker, who can make things happen in Springfield, said: "There is a bill that’s being developed... that will come forward at the time of our veto session in Oct... but it’s not soup yet.” "We are close," said Rep. Buckner. 🚌 🚃 🚊 🍲 😋 www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/chi...
E-Motos topic of Active Transportation Alliance’s latest Suburban Advocacy Connect Advocates say industry is moving faster than regulations, creating safety concerns. @cameronbolton.bsky.social reports: chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/25/e...
Block Club: "Here Are 5 Redesign Plans For 111th Street-Bishop Ford Interchange. Help Pick The Winner." @atalliance.bsky.social @blockclubchi.bsky.social @equiticity.bsky.social
ATA: "Please ask the IL General Assembly to fix and fund our transit system during Oct. veto session." And here's SBC's recent interview with House Majority Leader Eva-Dina Delgado on the subject. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/20/i... @betterstreetschicago.org @ctaction.org @chicagocta.bsky.social
Sunday 8/31, SBC will try to dance at 2 weddings with one behind, covering: Bike the Drive (6:30-10:30 AM): bikethedrive.org Meet Me On Milwaukee: 10-5 PM: business.wickerparkbucktown.com/chamber-even... Will you attend one/both of these car-free parties? @stevevance.net @chicritmass.bsky.social
Nice! Plans for Winnemac (5030 N.) Greenway ped-bike-priority route between NSCT and LFT. The project will involve making Winnemac between Clark and Broadway one-way EB for drivers. @blockclubchi.bsky.social @atalliance.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org @stevevance.net
Metra chief Jim Derwinski: "This is typically the time of year when Metra starts talking about next year’s budget and what that means for our riders. To say this year will be different is a major understatement." 😬 metra.com/my-message-3...
Headlines: Brown Line disrupted NW of Southport stop due to minor derailment at Kimball Monday morning; Letters against RTA's $74M funding transfer to CTA, capping TAP/RAP rides; Metra says its K-9 unit has improved safety, security.
Today's Headlines: A decade ago, the city committed to eliminating traffic deaths by 2026. It's not even close @chicago.suntimes.com; Chicago Avenue In West Humboldt Park Getting Bike Lanes And Raised Crosswalks @blockclubchi.bsky.social chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/25/t...
Chris and Kevin started Chicago BikePAC so bicycling as transportation – and ensuring kids can bike to school safely – is taken more seriously in local elections. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/22/n...
Today's Headlines: CTA gets $74M from Metra, Pace to delay 40 percent service cuts next year @chicago.suntimes.com; A make-or-break veto session looms for Chicago transit @crainschicago.bsky.social; La Placita Is Coming To Belmont Cragin @blockclubchi.bsky.social chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/22/t...
At today’s RTA board meeting, the directors voted to fund the 2025 Paratransit budget shortfall. But attendees protested changes to Pace’s Taxi Access Program and Rideshare Access Program, including price increases and a 30 rides-per-month cap. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/21/a...
Illinois House Majority Leader Eva-Dina Delgado thinks Springfield can solve the transit fiscal crisis during six days in October. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/20/i... @chicagocta.bsky.social @ctaction.org @betterstreetschicago.org @yonahfreemark.com @stevevance.net @peopleslobbyusa.bsky.social
Headlines: RTA officials could transfer $74 million from Metra and Pace to CTA to delay city service cuts @chicagotribune.com; State reps weigh transit rescue options ahead of fall veto session @dailyherald.bsky.social; IDOT hiring snowplow drivers @chicago.suntimes.com
Nice! CDOT started work on the the protected bike lanes between Montrose and Winnemac, aka the Uptown Extension, scraping out old dashed "advisory" bikeways and adding new stripes. Read about the project here. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/18/u... @chicritmass.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org
To clarify, the protected bike lane on Pratt continues west past Ridge for several more blocks in the West Ridge community. So we're just saying that there's still only two blocks of PBL technically in Rogers Park.
CDOT: Rogers Park just got its first-ever protected bike lanes: 2 blocks of them on Pratt east of Ridge. 🤔 Craig Stern argues that we should calm traffic, improve access, and make the neighborhood nicer with protected bike lanes on Sheridan. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/20/i... @bikegridnow.org
Geez, are people really talking about slashing CTA funding just when service is starting to improve? @chicagocta.bsky.social @rtachicago.bsky.social
Are you going to the Chicago Bike PAC launch this Thursday 8/21, 5:30-7 PM at SRAM HQ, 1000 W. Fulton Market in the West Loop? SBC will be there! Background: chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/19/c... Register: givebutter.com/chi-bike-pac... @stevevance.net @bikegridnow.org @chicritmass.bsky.social
Here's our post: chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/18/u... And UU's latest anti-safe streets gripe. ("Hey, wait, I got a new complaint!" 🎵) uptownupdate.com/2025/08/anot... @betterstreetschicago.org @chicritmass.bsky.social @stevevance.net @bikelaneuprising.bsky.social @rideillinois.bsky.social
Nailed it! As we predicted, the anonymous blog Uptown Update ran "a new post bemoaning the decision" for PBLs on Clark. But, sorry, SBC didn't "e-taunt" "Uptown Girl" by referencing her in our title – we didn't know an UU writer had that handle. That was just a Billy Joel joke! @bikegridnow.org
Headlines: "State And Lake CTA Station Getting $440 Million Overhaul"; "Cause remains unknown for CTA derailment in Rogers Park"; North Branch Works hosts Goose Island bike tour this Saturday.
Chicago Bike PAC, to “provide a bit of political weight and muscle” to elect safe streets advocates to the City Council, launches this Thursday, 5:30-7 PM at SRAM HQ, 1000 W. Fulton Market. @atalliance.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org @bikegridnow.org @chicritmass.bsky.social @stevevance.net
Here's an opportunity for Lincoln Park residents to advocate like the Dickens for better walk/bike/transit infrastructure! @mollyfleck.bsky.social @michelle345.bsky.social @aldknudsen.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org @atalliance.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org @ronythebikeczar.bsky.social
RTA Chief Leanne Redden "was considering asking the RTA board for a new three-year contract that would likely extend beyond the life of the agency itself"? Wow, that's the wildest behavior we've seen from an Australian since our last AC/DC concert! www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/rta...
We mean, really, who designed the 34th Ward, Hermann Rorschach?
💯 We actually need an independent ward map commission, the fact that alders draw their own maps is ridiculous. It's had massive implications and impacted me directly. I also think we need less wards, 50 is way too many. NYC has 51 city council members and LA has only 16.
Hey Gov. Pritzker, how about flying some politicians to Chicago to address *our* gerrymandering issue, if only to make it simpler to install protected bike lanes? 😉 chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/15/y...
(We also think State Sen. Feigenholtz's bill to "have the Urban Transportation Center at UIC do a study on whether cams using AI can make DLSD safer" is a good idea!) @chicagotribune.com @atalliance.bsky.social
Psst... Tribune Editorial Board: Here's a simple way to reduce speeding, crashes on DLSD. Convert 2 of the 8 mixed-traffic lanes to bus-only during North DLSD reconstruction project! Side benefits: Faster transit commutes, less pollution, more pleasant lakefront. @betterstreetschicago.org
Here's our handlebar video of riding the "Soul City" partially raised bike lanes. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEFc...
Block Club looks at whether the new raised bike lanes might help increase the curb appeal of the Austin neighborhood's "Soul City" cultural district. blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/19/a... @blockclubchi.bsky.social
As someone who’s family will be personally served by this bike lane, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to everyone who turned out to one or more events to LOUDLY tell the city we needed this. I couldn’t be more excited.
New op-ed from Ellen Steinke: "Former preseident Dorval Carter Jr. broke the CTA. Acting President Nora Leerhsen’s on track to fix it – if we fund her work." @chicagocta.bsky.social @ctaction.org @betterstreetschicago.org @atalliance.bsky.social @yonahfreemark.com @humantransit.bsky.social
100+ @bikegridnow.org folks who held a rally for protected lanes on Clark in Chicago's Uptown can't be wrong! After the 46th Ward conducted extensive outreach to local businesses, CDOT is swapping parking for people space from Montrose to Winnemac avenues. 👍 chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/18/u...
Why did People for Bikes' give Omaha, home of the Reuben sandwich, 3X as high a rating for the quality of its low-stress bike network as Chicago, although singer Matthew Sweet's hometown has almost zero on-street bikeways? There's something cheesy going on here... chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/15/y...
Here's some coverage. www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/m...
We've been waiting for the Clark protected bike lanes to be extended north into Uptown "as long as anyone with hot blood can." (🎵) Now it's finally happening! @jessezorr.bsky.social @stevevance.net @bikegridnow.org @bikelaneuprising.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org
Toni! Toni! Toni! ('90s R&B reference) "Southland road work, bike path projects to receive Cook County grants."
Big news for railfans and possibly Metra commuters? "A railway merger trifecta? What supersized UP/Norfolk Southern combo could mean."
Former 46th Ward alder Helen Shiller was a big reason why SBC's home base of Uptown has so much public & affordable housing (which is good.) But Crain's reports the mayor's push to make Shiller Zoning Board chair "sparks independence concerns." chicagobusiness.com/politics/bra...
Well, this is not Grand. "2nd Phase Of Grand Avenue Bike Lane, Street Upgrades [delayed until] 2026." blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/18/s... Background: chi.streetsblog.org/2024/07/18/t... @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Wow, we knew Chicago native Chance the Rapper likes public transportation, since the video for his song "Angels" has him riding on top of an 'L' car. But he named his new album after transit advocacy website Star:Line Chicago! (Just kidding.) @starlinechicago.bsky.social @bpopetv.bsky.social
Chicago cycling has lots of room for improvement. But every year, the Boulder-based nonprofit People for Bikes rates our city as a godawful place to ride. If they won't adjust their rating system to be fair, they should keep Chicago's name out of their mouths. @peopleforbikes.bsky.social
ICYMI: Shoutout to City Council's most passionate new protected bike lane advocate, Ald. Ray Lopez! He indicated that he supports installing more PBLs to encourage bike and e-scooter users to ride in the street. 🫡
Headlines: After man recently died after contacting 3rd rail on Forest Park Branch, another man was electrocuted early this morning at State/Lake; Active Trans: "Rise in [> 20 mph] e-motos leading to patchwork policies at the expense of [< 20 mph] e-bikes"; Greyland Metra stop reopening.
Awful: Scooter rider doing ">35 mph" in bike lane (where it's illegal to ride >20 mph) struck a person. We hope the victim makes a full recovery. But we're glad Ald. Lopez wants to work w/ bike-friendly alders to add more protected lanes to help keep scooters off sidewalks! 👍 @bikegridnow.org
My friend Opie took some photos of the new Grayland Metra station, located at 3729 N. Kilbourn Ave., serving the Milwaukee District North Line. #BikeChi @betterstreetschicago.org @chi.streetsblog.org
Excellent news. Although it goes without saying that it shouldn’t take three years to get approval to install six blocks of protected bike lanes!
Broadway at Lawrence was briefly car free for the Uptown Theater community portrait. Background: blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/14/w...
Sure, biking in Chicago is not always heavenly. But despite People for Bikes' claim this is the one of the very worst large US cities for cycling, it's not a hellscape either. They doubled down on that notion in a recent post using our city as a poster child. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/15/y...
Yes, Chicago has a long way to go to become truly bicycle-friendly. But People for Bikes’ recent post, using our city as a poster child, is a joke. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/15/y... @atalliance.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org @stevevance.net @westtownbikes.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org
"Right of Way" author and former Streetsblog USA editor Angie Schmitt: "The MMUCC instructs police to categorize a range of actions including 'running, jogging or stumbling' as 'dart(ing)/dash(ing)' into the road... This produces some questionable assertions." @schmangee.bsky.social
Predicting the future of Chicagoland transit currently requires special equipment. We asked, "Will the General Assembly pass a bill to save transit during the six-day fall veto session, with the required 60 percent supermajority?" See response below. 🤔 chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/14/a...
Good news: Per CPD, no reported injuries in the case of the delivery bike rider whom a driver struck last week on Montrose next to Graceland Cemetery. However, it's unclear why the driver wasn't cited. www.reddit.com/r/chibike/co... @stevevance.net @bikegridnow.org @atalliance.bsky.social
Headlines: CTA says four more bus routes added to Frequent Network; SUV driver, 81, fatally struck man in Palatine, victim blamed for "wearing dark clothing"; New Metra Greyland station reopens after 4 years of work.
CTA Acting Prez Nora Leerhsen recently said they're exorcising the "ghost bus" problem that has been "haunting" the system for years. 🥁 The MTA has a similar program but we're not sure why it's headquartered in a firehouse. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/13/w... @chicagocta.bsky.social @ctaction.org
At yesterday's Transit is the Answer Coalition meeting, RTA staff provided updates on the Chicagoland budget gap situation, and how other cities are dealing with transit fiscal cliffs. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/14/a... @rtachicago.bsky.social
Interested in bicycling from the 95th/Dan Ryan terminal to Howard Station via the lakefront, stopping at all 26 beaches along the way? We've got you covered. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/11/b... @atalliance.bsky.social @rideillinois.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social
In our convo about passing an Illinois transit funding and reform bill, Rep. Buckner said the agencies, and state lawmakers, have "different flows, but [should] share the same common rhythm and unified message," like rappers Wu-Tang Clan. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/07/e... @equiticity.bsky.social
Why are pedestrians always “darting” (i.e. at fault)? - chi.streetsblog.org/2025/08/13/w... via @chi.streetsblog.org
Yes, per the CDOT bike map. www.chicago.gov/content/dam/...
Yes.
WGN survey: "Should Chicago impose a 15 mph speed limit on e-scooters and e-bikes?" @wgnradio.bsky.social @atalliance.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org @bikegridnow.org @rideillinois.bsky.social @bikelaneuprising.bsky.social @equiticity.bsky.social @stevevance.net