Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about COVID-19

A Postmates driver picks up an order across the street from Wrigley Field in protective gear. Photo: Jared Haberman

Health concerns, competition are challenges for food delivery drivers during the pandemic

By Ariel Parrella-Aureli | Apr 13, 2020 | No Comments

While more people are ordering takeout, restaurants are closing, and laid-off workers are getting into the field, creating competition. And then there's the challenge of staying healthy.

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.

CTA union chief discusses the campaign for safer pandemic working conditions

By Imelda March | Apr 9, 2020 | No Comments

The union is pushing for rear-door boarding, bus de-crowding measures, better cleaning procedures, and more.

Author Lisa Hilleren, loaded up with supplies for sheltering in place. Photo: Emily Hilleren

How to safely ride your bike during the pandemic

By Lisa Hilleren | Apr 6, 2020 | No Comments

During the COVID-19 outbreak, knowing how to ride safely and confidently on city streets is more important than ever.

A worker sanitizes a Pace bus. Image: Pace

An update from Pace on its COVID-19 Response

By John Greenfield | Apr 3, 2020 | No Comments

The agency is deploying more buses on high-ridership routes to prevent dangerous crowding, and providing thermometers to bus drivers so they can take their temperatures before shifts.

A CTA bus driver on Inner Lake Shore Drive. Photo: John Greenfield

Lightfoot endangers CTA workers and riders by stalling on pandemic safety measures

By John Greenfield | Apr 2, 2020 | No Comments

Waiving fares bus fares and requiring rear-door boarding would reduce drivers' exposure to COVID-19. And more service is needed to prevent dangerous crowding.

Customer David Leclerk and mechanic Doug Burk are separated by a wall of cycles at Logan Square's Boulevard Bikes. Photo: Kevin Womac

Despite safety challenges during the pandemic, Chicago bike shops keep rolling

By Imelda March and John Greenfield | Mar 30, 2020 | No Comments

Bike stores are limiting customer access, doing work by appointment, and taking time-consuming steps to sanitize cycles.

Before you yell at videographer Mark Creasy for going on a group ride during the pandemic, note that he was the only participant. Image: Mark Creasy

Nice work Chicago! Thankfully Critical Mass didn’t happen Friday, but #CoronaMass did.

By John Greenfield | Mar 30, 2020 | No Comments

It's great that nobody showed up for Critical Mass. Our city needs every bike advocate we can get, so we can't afford to lose any of them to COVID-19.

34th Street in Queens is one of several New York City roadways that is being opened for car-free recreation. Photo: Shekar Krishnan via Twitter

Database documents cities that are repurposing car space during the pandemic

By Steven Vance | Mar 29, 2020 | No Comments

During the pandemic, cities are recognizing it makes sense to take road space away from cars and give it to people.

North Center sidewalk chalk drawing. Photo: Kirsten Lambert

Chicagoans use tactical urbanism to cheer each other up during the pandemic

By Kirsten Lambert | Mar 27, 2020 | No Comments

Shamrocks and teddy bears in windows, window singing, and street dancing are helping to lift people's spirits during this challenging time.