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
Wilberto Rivera, 76, died 2 weeks after being struck on North Ave. in Humboldt Park
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While the driver told police Rivera appeared to be intoxicated, according to the Chicago municipal code, it was still the motorist's responsibility to avoid striking him.
LaSpata: Report bike lane scofflaws to 311 with photos of plates and they’ll be fined
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Ald. Daniel LaSpata announced that Chicagoans can hold bikeway blockers accountable by creating a 311 service request that includes photos of the vehicle obstructing the lane and its license plates.
CPD victim-blamed Lily Shambrook’s mom. Safe streets protest planned this Sunday.
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"The city can and should build safe infrastructure to prevent further loss of our friends, family, and loved ones," say protest organizers. "A better future is possible."
Female toddler reportedly killed in truck-bike crash on Leland Greenway in Uptown
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Details are still emerging from a truck-bike crash that reportedly took the life of a female toddler riding on the back of her mother's bicycle this morning at Leland and Winthrop avenues in Uptown.
Hit-and-run driver struck and injured man, 54, on bike in Brighton Park, left plate behind
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The crash report says police recovered the license plate. Hopefully that, plus any available surveillance camera footage, will help bring the driver to justice.
Lawmakers Fail To Legalize Speed Cameras on Highways
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Illinois lawmakers could have addressed the crash epidemic by legalizing speed cameras on expressways. Instead they took the politically easier step of cracking down on gun violence, without addressing traffic violence.
SUV driver killed Raphael “Rafi” Cardenas as he rode a scooter in Lincoln Square
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No Parking signs at intersections are important because the lack of parked cars near the crosswalk "daylights" the intersection.
Chicago’s proposed Equitable TOD ordinance would fight segregation and car-depedency
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The Lori Lightfoot administration hopes to spur the development of more affordable, parking-lite housing near transit with the proposed "Connected Communities Ordinance."
Despite its warts, Chicago is the sweet spot of affordability and good transportation access
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Obviously we need to keep pushing for a better transportation system. But let's appreciate the fact that, as far as American cities go, we've got it pretty good here.
The Jackson 5: Spending five hours at the Jackson ‘L’ stops, a CTA trouble spot
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I hung out in the Jackson Street Red and Blue stations from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. in an effort to see what the security presence was like there at the time.
An SUV driver killed Martha Velazquez on Columbus in Ashburn. A road diet is planned.
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A four-to-three conversion road diet was already planned on this stretch prior to the tragic crash.
Here’s the CTA’s Explanation for ‘Ghost’ Buses and Trains
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Everyone hates the now-common situation where train or bus runs appear the Train Tracker and Bus Tracker, but then disappear before they ever arrive.