PathPath
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Newsletter
    Follow Us:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Streetsblog Logo
    • HOME
    • USA
    • NYC
    • MASS
    • LA
    • CHI
    • SF
    • CAL
    • STREETFILMS
    • DONATE
Streetsblog Chicago Logo
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Newsletter
    Follow Us:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Courtney Cobbs

Recent Posts

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.
While it's technically illegal to hang out in Lincoln Park right now, last Saturday people many people were doing so while maintaining social distance from others. Photo: John Greenfield

Friends of the Parks discusses the need for green space during COVID-19 and beyond

By Courtney Cobbs | May 5, 2020 | No Comments
Executive director Juanita Irizarry says she would have preferred a more nuanced approach to park closures, and sees the pandemic as an opportunity to advance the discussion of park equity.
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.
Walking and biking has surged during the pandemic. Photo: John Greenfield

Chicago must act now to prevent a post-COVID spike in driving and crashes

By Courtney Cobbs | Apr 29, 2020 | No Comments
We need to make walking, biking, and transit safer and more appealing, or we're going to see an increase in driving, congestion, pollution and crashes once the Stay at Home order is lifted.
Photo: John Greenfield

Providing bikes and emergency protected lanes on the South Side would help stop the spread

By Courtney Cobbs | Apr 22, 2020 | No Comments
Giving people affordable or free bike access, and safe biking routes that parallel bus lines, would allow them to avoid viral exposure on transit and de-crowd buses for the remaining passengers.
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.
Photo: Courtney Cobbs

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.
Typical evening rush-hour traffic on Lake Shore Drive. Photo: John Greenfield

What legacy will you leave?

By Courtney Cobbs | Mar 31, 2020 | No Comments
In addition to a pandemic, we are living through the climate crisis. We can't go back to how things were before the "Stay at Home" order largely emptied our streets.
An Open Streets car-free event on Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park in 2013. Photo: John Greenfield

Let’s respond to coronavirus and climate change with car-free streets, bus and bike lanes

By Courtney Cobbs | Mar 25, 2020 | No Comments
Creating more car-free streets for safe transportation and recreation during the current pandemic crisis would also address the longterm challenge of climate change.
Courtney Cobbs

Pedaling during a pandemic: How to make cycling part of your self-care routine

By Courtney Cobbs | Mar 18, 2020 | No Comments
The coronavirus threat is a crisis, but it's also an opportunity to discover or rediscover the physical, mental, and emotional health benefits of cycling.
An Open Streets event on Chicago's State Street in the early 2010s. Photo: John Greenfield

We need to de-prioritize driving and create more child-friendly streets

By Courtney Cobbs | Mar 13, 2020 | No Comments
Decision-makers worry about inconveniencing motorists, but we should instead focus on making it safer to transport children without driving, and creating streets where kids can safely spend time.
Load more stories
      • Comment Moderation Policy
      • Our Funders
      • Staff
      • Donate
      • Sponsorship
        Follow Us:
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      Streetsblog Chicago Logo