Chicago
Commuter Idyll Winner Jake Williams Tells His Dramatic Story of Salvation
When we saw that Washington's news-traffic-weather radio station, WTOP, was holding a "Commuter Idle" contest for the worst commute in the DC area -- and rewarding it with $1,000 in gas money -- we couldn't resist. We went looking for the best "Commuter Idyll" -- the trips to work that made people happy, got them fresh air, helped them fit exercise into their day, gave them some extra time to sleep or read, and brought them to work more clear-headed and ready to tackle the day. And Streetsblog readers had lots of great stories to share of ditching long car commutes for transit, biking, or walking. We shared some of them yesterday.
May 10, 2013
Study: Homes Near Transit Were Insulated From the Housing Crash
If you live close to a transit station, chances are you’ve weathered the recession better than your friends who don’t.
March 22, 2013
Midwestern Cities Race to Adopt, and Grow, Bike-Share
Pittsburgh was the newest city to announce its bike-share plans this week, when it confirmed the city would add a 500-bike system by the spring of next year.
March 13, 2013
Coming Next Week: Streetsblog Chicago
After setting up transportation news sites covering New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and national policy, next Tuesday Streetsblog will be expanding for the first time in four years with the launch of Streetsblog Chicago.
January 17, 2013
NACTO Wrap-Up: Cities Are Doing It For Themselves
The leaders of the nation’s big city transportation agencies have formed a tight-knit circle, brought together by the National Association of City Transportation Officials to share best practices, and yes, battle scars.
October 29, 2012
Chicago Unveils Its Ambitious Pedestrian Safety Plan
Yesterday, the city of Chicago rolled out a sweeping new plan for pedestrian safety [PDF]. With some 250 recommendations -- including traffic-calming measures like pedestrian islands, chicanes and midblock curb bumpouts -- Chicago joins cities like New York and Portland in formalizing a plan to meet targets for reducing pedestrian injuries and deaths.
September 6, 2012
Chicago Aims for Zero Traffic Deaths by 2022
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his DOT head Gabe Klein have introduced a bold, 100-page plan to make the Windy City's transportation system more safe and sustainable.
May 14, 2012
As Chicago Forges Ahead With BRT, Congress Holds Up Key Rail Project
The transportation news has been flying out of Chicago lately. Last week, in a 41-9 vote, the City Council approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Chicago Infrastructure Trust, which will be used to build projects with private financing. Earlier this week, Emanuel and transportation commissioner Gabe Klein just unveiled a plan for a downtown bus rapid transit loop that will serve six different routes. Those bus lanes will open within two years. In the meantime, 2012 will see the inauguration of a 300-station bike share system and the city's first enhanced bus service on Jeffrey Boulevard.
May 4, 2012
Bikes Belong Selects Six Cities to Fast Track Protected Bike Lanes
The Bikes Belong Foundation has chosen six cities to fast track physically protected bikeway designs that make cycling safer and more accessible to a wide range of people.
April 4, 2012
Three Chicagoland Republicans Defect on House Transpo Bill
Did John Boehner and and John Mica overreach with their proposal to strip dedicated funding for transit, cycling, and walking in the House transportation bill? That's the question observers have been asking since House GOP leaders sprung this politicized legislation in committee last week.
February 10, 2012