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
Why Social Democracies Are Great Places to Ride a Bike
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Sensible, humane labor, housing, health, and education policies and efficient, democratic transportation systems go hand-in-hand.
Grief and Rage Over Traffic Violence at the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council Meeting
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The quarterly Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council meeting is usually a tightly scheduled show-and-tell, with staff from the Chicago Department of Transportation and other city agencies giving presentations on what they’re doing to improve cycling. But after a particularly bad week for biking in the Chicago area, last Wednesday CDOT threw out the script and opened […]
Ex-USDOT Chief LaHood Will Lead Chicago’s Transportation and Mobility Task Force
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When it comes to shared mobility and autonomous vehicles, it’s a brave new world out there, and city governments are scrambling to make sure their transportation policies keep up with disruptive technology. For example, ride-hailing has gutted the taxi industry (arguably due to the unfair advantage of fewer regulations), increased congestion, and decreased transit ridership. […]
Here’s an Inexpensive, Simple Way to Help Prevent Bicycle Dooring Crashes and Save Lives
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Striping all bike lanes in a way that encourages cyclists to ride out of the "door zone" would help keep people out of harm's way.
What Rahm Got Right About Transportation, and What Still Needs to Change
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After Emanuel's surprise announcement that he won't seek a third term, here's a look back at his transportation legacy, and recommendations for the mayoral hopefuls.
Another Case of a Black Divvy Rider Detained and Arrested Near Chicago and State
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Lots of people ride Divvies on downtown sidewalks, but are police only enforcing bike laws against African Americans?
Chicago’s DoBi Bike Pilot Is Going Fairly Smoothly, But Most Use Is in or Near Beverly
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Documents acquired via a public records request suggest that vandalism isn't a serious problem, but most of the rides originated in wealthier, whiter parts of the Far South Side.
Are Police Profiling Black Bike-Share Users in an Effort to Recover Stolen Divvies?
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The CPD says it uses bike ticketing as a strategy to conduct searches in communities of color. A Black bike advocate claims officers are also targeting African-American men on Divvies in other parts of town.
Sun-Times Editorial on Expanding Transit and Widening Roads Gets It Half Right
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The paper understands that we need more transit, but doesn't grasp why expressway expansion is at cross-purposes with that goal.
What’s Just? A Cyclist’s Dilemma After Being Injured by an Undocumented Driver
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Kristen Green from Ghost Bikes Chicago installs memorials to fallen cyclists. But after she experienced traffic violence herself, she faced a moral predicament.
Why the Regional Transit Boards Skew White and Male, and Why That Matters
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The board members' decisions may not always reflect the needs of commuters.
ACLU of Illinois Weighs in on the CPD’s Racially Skewed Bike Ticketing Policies
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An ACLU rep says it's doubtful that heavy-handed bike enforcement would be tolerated in majority-white neighborhoods.