Streetsblog Chicago

Deer me! Thanks to new bikeways, including the Bryn Mawr protected lanes, there are a now a couple of low-stress routes between the North Branch and North Shore Channel trails on the Far Northwest Side. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/21/s...

Headlines: Gage Park Cyclists, LVEJO organize bike rides honoring SW Side crash victims; Ed Zotti: "My colleagues and I would like to propose integrated regional rail."; River Foresters opposed to O’Hare Flyer are pushing for improving Metra NCS Line to airport people mover.

Here's what was said at the street naming ceremony for “Lily’s Greenway,” honoring the life and memory of Elizabeth “Lily” Grace Shambrook, 3 chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/26/w...

What Ardmore/Sheridan, just W. of the N. end of LFT, might look like if we ran things. This would prevent crashes/deaths, make turns less dangerous for drivers, keep bikes/e-scooters off sidewalks, and improve lake access. Background: chi.streetsblog.org/2026/08/03/i... @the48thward.bsky.social

Yesterday we learned: SBC contributing writer Igor Studenkov has a Substack called Chicago Media Journal that brings to mind Robert Feder's previous coverage of the local journalism landscape. You can subscribe to Igor's blog here:

Block Club: "Drivers Have Blocked A Bike Lane By The Main Post Office For Years — Despite Free Parking Nearby. blockclubchicago.org/2026/10/26/d... As we discussed last week, the bikeway is slated to get protection. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/22/s...

Headlines: Multiple cases of crashes and assaults involving CTA; "Ride the CTA? You may notice this new security enhancement on your commute"; "NITA has unprecedented power to develop land near transit. How could this change your neighborhood?"

This morning there was a beautiful ceremony to remember Elizabeth "Lily" Grace Shambrook, 3, by unveiling honorary signs for "Lily's Greenway" on Leland Avenue in Chicago's Uptown. Read more about Lily's life here. www.kelleyspaldingfuneralhome.com/obituaries/E...

The 39th Ward has a recommended detour route (red) around the closed bridge on the North Shore Riverwalk. But what about Bob? Longtime Northwest Side bike advocate Robert Kastigar prefers a different alternative (orange), explained below. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/21/s... @activetransportation.org

Op-ed by Ellen Steinke: "Will Illinois lawmakers let Waymo 'Move fast and break things' in Chicago?"

Headlines ICYMI: "All elevated CTA stations in the Loop to be closed this weekend"; Natalie Moore: "NITA represents a chance to... dramatically improve CTA rider experience"; "Bill aims to study how self-driving vehicles can be integrated into IL transit."

Thanks to an assist in Pilsen from reader Kathe Meyers, SBC has documented just about every new bikeway within Chicago south of the Ike and north of the Kennedy for Bike Lane Fest 2025-26. Only one more (deep-dish) wedge of the city to go! 🍕 🚲 chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/22/s...

looks like it will be a nice day for this occasion, come on by if you like. Lily will be remembered

Got 18 minutes? Take a three-mile bike ride with John on the new Indiana Avenue protected lane. Guest appearances by a 3rd Ward aldermanic challenger (4:25) and a 🦝 (5:50).

Come show your support for the new Bryn Mawr protected bike lanes, a lower-stress way to access the North Branch Trail, on a bike ride this Sunday. www.facebook.com/groups/12682...

Chicago Sun-Times story on "Kennedy Expressway traffic nightmare" includes story of a woman who switched commute modes: “If anything positive came out of this, it was getting that e-bike." chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...

We checked out new and upcoming protected bike lanes locations on the Mid and Near South Side, and downtown, yesterday. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/22/s...

SBC Bike Lane Fest 2025-26 continues with the Mid North Side, including Irving Park, Avondale, North Center, Logan Square, and Lincoln Park. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/21/s...

Headlines: Woman charged with pushing man off bus, injuring him, along Michigan bus lane route; ATA calls citywide Smart Streets "an important step toward safer bike lanes and faster bus service"; "Chicago taxi fuel surcharge takes effect due to high gas prices."

Transit ambassadors have been on LA and SF transit for years. Chicagoans have asked for a similar program for almost as long. CTA is finally trying it. www.transitchicago.com/cta-continue... @chicagocta.bsky.social @activetransportation.org @betterstreetschicago.org @ctaction.org @ctasmokers.com

What if we told you there are now *two* official lower-stress bike routes between the North Branch and North Shore Channel trails? 🤯 chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/21/s...

Headlines, ICYMI: Johnson proposes $0.15 tax on packages delivered to residents; Alders say he should use the meter deal windfall to plug $75M budget gap; former SBC contributor Ariel Parrella looks at Salt Shed's expansion plans.

We've noticed the "I Biked in This" stickers on bike racks around town and wondered what they were about. Mystery solved! bsky.app/profile/ibik... Reminds us a bit of the 2010s Chicago-centric cycling / fashion blog Let's Go Ride a Bike. www.newcity.com/2011/08/10/g... @ibikedinthis.bsky.social

Leave it to @chiwho.bike to create a concise, informative one-minute video about Sunday's "The People's Bridge" party for permanent pedestrianization of Cortland. He even squeezed in a Van Halen-esque guitar solo from the band Paper Cardinal! Here's our coverage: chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/19/t...

Paging @govpritzker.illinois.gov! FYI: @senmikesimmons.bsky.social

NITA more reliable and efficient bus commute? The Northern Illinois Transit Authority is partnering with the CTA to collect feedback from riders on how to improve conditions. 🚌 ⚡ ❓ More info here: ctabusvisionproject.com/getinvolved/... @nitachicago.bsky.social @chicagocta.bsky.social

Here's a juicy new press releases from Lime, which is trying to avoid getting squeezed out of the Chicago e-scooter market. Some alders say no-dock rental micro-mobility devices like Lime scooters are causing sidewalk clutter. Background: chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/09/l... @divvybikes.bsky.social

Gosh I sure wish Chicago had hundreds of miles of 5-lane arterials we could try this on. Sadly we have none.

Is Belleville, IL getting its Complete Streets ideas "Via Chicago"? The downstate hometown of Wilco's Jeff Tweedy is doing a 5-to-3 road diet with curbside bike lanes. 🎸 🚲 👍 @rideillinois.bsky.social

"It's like déjà vu all over again." The Trump administration failed withold Red Line Extension funds by claiming (federally mandated) DBE contracting was racist. Now they're trying the same thing with Evanston's reparations program. 🙄 www.chicagobusiness.com/real-estate/... @yonahfreemark.com

"Over the bridge downtown / That's where I heard some tunes." 🎵 Here's our full coverage of @bikegridnow.org's fantastic "The People's Bridge" concert, promoting permanent pedestrianization of the Cortland span. It includes lots of photos and band videos. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/19/t...

After 2 recent murders of employees on CTA property, GOP state rep wants reform of SAFE-T Act; @aldermanlaspata.bsky.social introduced ordinance to study whether some streets around Palmer Square park could be pedestrianized; @bikegridnow.org celebrates terrific car-free bridge party.

Take it to the bridge! The Car-free Cortland span was activated with live bands during @bikegridnow.org’s “The People’s Bridge” happening. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/19/t...

Fun times at @bikegridnow.org's "The People's Bridge" party! Here are a few photos, including SBC cofounders @stevevance.net and @johngreenfield.bsky.social. More coverage later today... Background on whether Cortland Bridge should become permanently car-free: chi.streetsblog.org/2026/10/06/a...

Headlines: Driver, 20, charged with hit-and-run killing of James Reed Tillman, 67, 8/24 in Rogers Park; “‘Part of history’: Behind sleek new train, Metra moves to transform itself”; Chicago Mobility Collaborative meetss 10/22, 6-8 PM at U. of C. Crown School of Social Work.

Thank goodness the CPS school board election political intrigue hasn't had any impact on local traffic safety projects! 😉 (Streetsblog Chicago does not endorse candidates.)

OK, per Better Streets Chicago, the NITA budget survey is a total Cinderalla-style situation, with the 🚌 turning into a 🎃 tonight at midnight. So why not kick back with your favorite libation this evening and have your say on the future of Chicagoland transit?