Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Slow Streets

A Slow Street in Portland. Photo: Jonathan Maus, Bike Portland

How do we make sure that open streets are truly open for everyone?

By Courtney Cobbs | May 20, 2020 | No Comments

A discussion hosted by The Untokening collective looked at why over-policing and other social justice issues must be considered when planning walk/bike interventions during the pandemic.

Alderman Martin is putting out feelers about doing open streets interventions in Lincoln Square

By John Greenfield | May 18, 2020 | No Comments

"We want to make sure that as people are spending more time outside, we are adjusting infrastructure accordingly."

Striping temporary bike lanes and widened sidewalks in Milan. Photo: Demetrio Scopelliti

How Montreal, Milan, and D.C. have made more space for walk/bike/transit during COVID

By Courtney Cobbs | May 15, 2020 | No Comments

While Chicago has been shutting down trails, other cities have been using innovative strategies to make room for socially-distanced transportation and physical activity.

Better Streets Chicago is a new advocacy group with a pro-open streets agenda

By Imelda March | May 14, 2020 | No Comments

"We’ve been disappointed by the city's failure to take seriously the needs of Chicagoans get where they need to go while maintaining a safe distance from each other and from cars."

An architecture firm proposes guidelines for a Chicago open streets plan

By Sharon Hoyer | May 12, 2020 | No Comments

Hammersley Architecture recently drafted a Chicago Promenade Plan for a network of streets where through traffic is prohibited to make room for pedestrians and cyclists.

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.

A Healthy Street in Seattle. Image: city of Seattle

What do ATA’s peer organizations across the country think of open streets?

By Igor Studenkov | May 8, 2020 | No Comments

We talked to transportation advocacy organizations in Oakland, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Madison, Wisconsin.

A Slow Street in Oakland. Photo: Jean Walsh

Welcome to the party: ATA finally gets on board with advocating for Open Streets

By John Greenfield | May 6, 2020 | No Comments

The Active Transportation Alliance previously said pushing for more space for walk/bike during the pandemic was "inappropriate," but now that they're on the right page, we're willing to let it slide.

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.

A Slow Street in Oakland. Photo: Robert Prinz, @prinzrob, via Twitter.

The Slow Streets movement is picking up speed, but Chicago is getting left behind

By John Greenfield | Apr 28, 2020 | No Comments

Cities from New York to San Francisco are getting with the program to make room for safe, socially-distanced transportation and recreation, but Chicago officials are sitting on their hands.

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.