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
High Speed Rail Alliance Wants Better Train Service Across the Nation
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“The system would be useful for so many more people,” said executive director Rick Harnish. “It really would be a game-changer for Chicago-area transit.”
Education, infrastructure, and holding drivers accountable > bike helmets for cyclist safety
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Stopping drivers from killing cyclists shouldn't be a matter of good fortune and a couple inches of Styrofoam and plastic. We need education, infrastructure, and laws to prevent crashes from happening in the first place.
Chicago Police Caught on Camera Assaulting Child Cyclists
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This is the second disturbing incident this month in Chicagoland involving teens of color, bicycles, and alleged police violence.
ProPublica Helps Lawmakers Who Want to Let Motorists Drive at Deadly Speeds
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it's frustrating to see ProPublica, a news outlet that's supposed to be working for the public good, come out with yet another windshield-POV piece on Chicago's automatic enforcement program.
Speed Camera Coverage Shouldn't Ignore Safety Benefits, Traffic Violence Victims
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It's not surprising when right-wing publications run garbage articles about traffic cameras. But it's disappointing when progressive news outlets approach this issue with a windshield POV.
Shared Mobility Action Agenda Aims to Make Sustainable Modes Convenient For All by 2030
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There are many ways to screw up shared mobility. So hopefully the action agenda will focus on shared modes that actually decrease emissions, rather than exacerbate climate change.
Why 'Ride of Silence' Rides Matter
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The 20th annual Chicago Ride of Silence is an opportunity to mourn and reflect on lost lives, part of a global movement to honor people killed and injured on bicycles, and demand changes to keep bike riders safe
Neighbors Say Road Diet Causes ‘Traffic Nightmare,’ but Data Tell a Different Story
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In reality, plenty of people benefit from such projects. But the media often highlight the loudest, least-informed voices.
What It's Like to Bike in Vienna and Budapest
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Comparing Budapest and Vienna offers more evidence that if Chicago wants to mainstream cycling, we've got to build a citywide network of connected, protected bikeways.
It's Time to Talk about Platform Barriers On Transit
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CTA workers and riders shouldn't have to worry that they might wind up being pushed onto the third rail, or in the path of an oncoming train.
Gas Giveaways Harm People, So Why Do We Let Rich Politicians Do Them?
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Gas giveaways don't just benefit some residents while ignoring others, they negatively impact vulnerable people by slowing down buses and creating more emissions.
Amateur Street Safety PSA Contest Yields Predictably Awful, Victim-Blaming Results
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Recently Streetsblog contributor A.J. LaTrace discussed the absurdly large SUVs and pickup trucks on display at the Chicago Auto Show. These machines have massive blind spots that make it difficult to detect a child in front of the vehicle, and their absurdly high grilles that basically ensure that a struck pedestrian or bike rider will […]