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.

Connect

greenfieldjohn@hotmail.com

Streetsblog Chicago |enforcement

South Shore Line police-involved shooting raises questions about fare enforcement

What's the best way to deal with unruly fare evaders? It's a complex question, but a more lenient policy might be worth the downsides, if it helps prevent the kind of near-deadly scenario we saw last week.

John Greenfield

March 10, 2021

Streetsblog Chicago |Federal Policy

Chuy Garcia’s bill calls for four times the current amount of federal transit funding

Advocates acknowledged the goals is ambitious and achieving parity is unlikely this year, but a strategy of aiming high could significantly move the funding needle during this window of opportunity.

John Greenfield

March 9, 2021

Streetsblog Chicago |Driving

New data shows Chicago’s speed cameras are effective in preventing traffic deaths

Fatal or serious injury crashes increased by 1 percent near speed cameras between 2012-13 and 2017-18, compared to a 19 percent increase citywide.

John Greenfield

March 4, 2021

Streetsblog Chicago |Eyes on the Street

Better Streets calls on the city to develop a plan for municipal sidewalk snow removal

The group has launched a new campaign and petition, with almost 1,250 signatures, to exhort the city of Chicago to take charge of winter sidewalk clearance.

John Greenfield

February 15, 2021

Streetsblog Chicago |Centers for Disease Control

Local transit agencies: CDC mask mandate will give our existing rules more teeth

Hopefully now that the federal government is getting more serious about mask compliance, we'll see better behavior on this front from local transit riders.

John Greenfield

February 2, 2021

Streetsblog Chicago |Bicycling

Could a network of Slow Streets circuits speed pandemic recovery?

Streetsblog reader Nate Hutcheson brainstormed a system of Slow Streets designed as a community and economic development strategy.

John Greenfield

January 27, 2021

Streetsblog Chicago |Funding & Finance

What if Chicago actually did have rapid transit everywhere?

It's not that it would be particularly difficult to make this a reality -- we just need the political will.

John Greenfield

December 17, 2020

Streetsblog Chicago |Bicycling

What other intersections would benefit from artistic Complete Streets makeovers?

These kinds of Complete Streets interventions are fairly easy and inexpensive, and can help make neighborhoods safer as well as more beautiful.

John Greenfield

December 10, 2020

Streetsblog Chicago |Bicycling

Make biking part of your plan to take on the challenges of a COVID-19 winter

Cold-weather cycling is just one of the options for infectious disease expert-approved cold-weather fun available.

John Greenfield

December 2, 2020

Streetsblog Chicago |Bicycling

Free advice to Biden: Do yourself a favor and don’t hire Rahm Emanuel as USDOT chief

Announcing Emanuel as your choice would almost certainly fill the streets of Chicago with hundreds or thousands of justifiably angry protesters. You really don't want to kick off your administration that way.

John Greenfield

November 30, 2020

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