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The City of Evanston’s proposal to install a two-way protected bike lane along the east side of Chicago Avenue has sparked a community-wide debate about safety, sustainability, and economic vitality. While city officials view the project as a step toward greener and safer transportation, residents and businesses fear it could jeopardize their livelihoods and accessibility....

Lincolnwood residents were recently left with the decision to install painted bike lanes, rather than the concrete-protected lanes initially proposed, on Pratt Avenue. Safety advocates had hoped for robust infrastructure to shield cyclists and e-scooter riders from reckless drivers. Instead, they reached a compromise, which many feel is a missed opportunity for real safety improvements....

Since their introduction in 2019, electric scooters have become a go-to mode of transportation in Chicago, with more than 3.7 million trips taken between mid-2022 and late 2023. However, as e-scooter use continues to rise, so do the risks associated with riding them. A recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times highlights the very real dangers that some...

Dickens Landing, a vital part of Chicago's Lincoln Park, is under threat, and residents are rallying to protect it. After 4.5 years of planning and community input, the Dickens Greenway officially opened in January 2024. However, just months later, the City announced plans to reopen the space to cars. The original goal of Dickens Landing...

Thousands of cyclists took over DuSable Lake Shore Drive, enjoying a 15-mile car-free stretch with the Chicago skyline as their backdrop during the 2024 Bike the Drive event. Organized by the Active Transportation Alliance, a Chicago nonprofit advocating for walking, biking, and public transit improvements, this annual event has temporarily closed streets to motor vehicles...

Chicago bicyclists have to navigate a daily obstacle course of distracted drivers, poorly maintained roads, and inadequate bike infrastructure. As a result of the city's growing bicycle safety concerns, the Chicago City Council approved the Smart Streets pilot bike lane ticketing program in March 2023 to enhance safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. However, 16 months...

A recent global traffic analysis has ranked Chicago as the fifth most congested city worldwide, with congestion levels surpassing pre-pandemic figures by 18%. Transportation analysis platform Inrix compiled data for the annual Global Traffic Scorecard. It reveals that Chicago drivers lost an average of 96 hours to traffic delays over the past year. The study...

However, Bicyclists Are At Risk Due To Negligent Drivers Every year, the nonprofit organization People For Bikes rates more than 700 cities worldwide for bike-friendliness. Chicago ranks near the bottom of the list every year. But people who actually bike in the city seem to disagree. A study has found that over the last four...

Finally, Chicago is taking action on something livable streets advocates have proposed for years—making the 25 mph speed limit the rule rather than the exception for Chicago streets. Similar policies in similar major cities have reduced serious and fatal crashes, according to the Active Transportation Alliance. The proposal seeks to address the negligent drivers behind...

Hit-and-run drivers pose a danger to Chicago pedestrians and bicyclists. Fatal incidents involving hit-and-run drivers and people on foot or riding bikes can leave a trail of unanswered questions and unimaginable grief for the victim's family. Beyond the immediate physical harm, fatal pedestrian accidents in Chicago reverberate through the community. Every statistic we encounter is...