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John Greenfield

In addition to editing Streetsblog Chicago, John writes the transportation column for the Chicago Reader weekly paper. A Chicagoan since 1989, he enjoys exploring the city on foot, bike, bus, and 'L' train.

Recent Posts

A Divvy station in Chicago's Grand Crossing neighborhood. While the blue non-electric bikes don't carry per-minute use charges, in many outlying neighborhoods only the electric bikes are available. Photo: John Greenfield

La Spata’s resolution turns up heat on CDOT, Divvy to address pricing equity issues

By John Greenfield | Aug 4, 2022 | No Comments
Divvy is a fantastic sustainable transportation system, but it's not only crucial that it stays solvent, it also needs to be accessible to Chicagoans in all parts of the city, from all walks of life.
The Ainslie Art Plaza in Lincoln Square, before a reckless driver destroyed it. Photo: John Greenfield

Driver destroys Ainslie Art Plaza, 10 more POP! Plazas across the city announced

By John Greenfield | Aug 4, 2022 | No Comments
There's been some bad news and some good news about pedestrian plazas in Chicago this week. Let's take a look at these developments.
5th/Pulaski, looking south. Image: Google Maps

Lawrence Ware, 52, killed in West Garfield, is 2nd Chicago hit-and-run ped fatality in 3 days

By John Greenfield | Aug 3, 2022 | No Comments
The victim was the 20th person killed while walking on Chicago streets this year.
The 4500 block of West Diversey Avenue. Image: Google Maps

Hit-and-run driver fatally struck Octavio Bahena Urquiza, 38, in Hermosa

By John Greenfield | Aug 3, 2022 | No Comments
Urquiza was the 19th pedestrian killed on Chicago Streets this year
Former deputy Chicago mayor John O'Malley

Lightfoot’s ex-deputy mayor of public security to John Kass: I pack heat on the CTA

By John Greenfield | Aug 1, 2022 | No Comments
This post also includes a discussion of Kass' history of writing anti-bike columns in the Chicago Tribune, plus his recent move to Indiana.
The field of Divvy bikes in a vacant lot in West Town. Photo: a Streetsblog reader

What’s up with the massive field of Divvy bikes sitting in a West Town vacant lot?

By John Greenfield | Jul 30, 2022 | No Comments
According to a bike-share official, some bikes are awaiting parts like computer chips that have been delayed as part of the global supply shortages that is impacting many industries.
Zain Jaber at school. Photo: Facebook

Chicagoland’s car-centric transportation system kills another kid on a bike, Zain Jaber

By John Greenfield | Jul 28, 2022 | No Comments
This case wasn't an accident. It was the predictable outcome of street design that prioritizes the convenience of drivers over the safety of vulnerable road users.
The Thompson Center. Image: Google Maps

Google is taking over the Thompson Center. What does that mean for transit access?

By John Greenfield | Jul 27, 2022 | No Comments
Here's hoping that the transit-loving folks at Google will help ensure that the Thompson Center becomes an even better place to catch a train.
Cycling on a raised bike lane in Copenhagen. In countries with lots of biking, almost no one wears a helmet, and yet the bike fatality rate is much lower than in nations like the U.S. where helmet use is common. Why? Photo: John Greenfield

Education, infrastructure, and holding drivers accountable > bike helmets for cyclist safety

By John Greenfield | Jul 26, 2022 | No Comments
Stopping drivers from killing cyclists shouldn't be a matter of good fortune and a couple inches of Styrofoam and plastic. We need education, infrastructure, and laws to prevent crashes from happening in the first place.
Downtown Chicago, as seen from a West Loop high-rise. Photo: John Greenfield

Yup, ex-Vox editor Matthew Yglesias is wrong that Chicago is doomed – here’s why.

By John Greenfield | Jul 22, 2022 | No Comments
Still, to prove him wrong, we need to get serious about tackling our present public safety, housing, transportation, and environmental challenges.
A bike lane scofflaw on Clark Street in Lakeview. (License number obscured.) Photo: @tomzychi

Alderperson LaSpata provides an update on efforts to improve bike lane enforcement

By John Greenfield | Jul 21, 2022 | No Comments
While the much-desired ability for bike riders to hold blockers accountable isn't a thing yet, it could be in the foreseeable future.
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) argues for his ordinance to allow 9 mph speeding at today's City Council meeting.

Traffic safety advocates helped defeat ordinance to allow deadly speeds near parks and schools

By John Greenfield | Jul 20, 2022 | No Comments
Now that Beale's ordinance has been defeated, there's more work to be done to make Chicago's speed camera program, and traffic safety strategies in general, more equitable and effective.
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