According to news reports and CDOT data, there were 2 fatal bike crashes in the city of Chicago last year. These incidents were tragic, but that's a lower number than in recent years. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/08/t... @atalliance.bsky.social @bikelaneuprising.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social

Crains picked up Nik Hunder's op-ed on speeding bus service by switching from the current 1/8 mile bus stop spacing standard to 1/4 mile. www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/chic... Here's the version we ran on Streetsblog, which drew lots of support and opposition. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/02/a...

Headlines: "Thieves target ticket machines at Van Buren Street Metra station"; "Need Your Sidewalk Fixed? Applications Open Monday Only For City’s 'Shared Cost' Program"; University of Illinois Press releases "A History of Bicycling in Illinois" book.

Tragically, two more CDOT records of 2025 pedestrian deaths on Chicago surface streets bring the total number of fatalities to 28. However, that's down from 38 the previous year, and the number of bike fatalities dropped from five to two. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/08/t...

Here's a strategy to convince the Bears to stay at Soldier Field, that would also make it easier to access many other destinations across the region. Build a connection between the MED and South Shore corridor and Union Station via the St. Charles Air Line Bridge. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/07/t...

Is the alleged "25 minutes just to find parking to pick up a to-go order" at the Chicago Diner on Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square, supposedly due to protected bike lanes, in the room with us now? 🤔 www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/c... @zareensyed.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org

Post-NYE doldrums got you down? Active Trans: "Get inspired for Bike Month in May" – lots of cool events are planned. activetrans.org/blog/get-ins... All-season cyclists can also bundle up and join the annual Critical Mass Polka ride on F 1/30 from Daley Plaza. bsky.app/profile/john...

Herald: "A trailer bill tweaking some parts of state’s transit rescue bill could surface when the General Assembly reconvenes, legislative leaders [including Villivalam, Delgado, Deputy governor Bria Scudder] said Wednesday at a City Club Chicago forum." www.dailyherald.com/20260107/tra...

Headlines: Man who pushed chef onto Division Blue tracks in 11/22, breaking jaw, and breaking nose of officer, sentenced to 12 years; "Commuters adjust to State and Lake CTA Station closure after return from holiday season"; Video: @nikhunder.com does Western. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/08/t...

Guest post by Dan Gentile: "The future of Soldier Field is bear-ish without transit investment." chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/07/t... @starlinechicago.bsky.social

We just noticed: Not only are these anti-Archer safety project folks standing on a concrete barrier with a sign that says "No concrete barriers!" They've also got a sign that says "No Parking, No customers" while standing in front of a parking lot. 😉 chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/06/r...

Don't get blue-pilled by car-centric news outlets. Be like "The Matrix" co-creator and Chicagoan Lilly Wachowski and support SBC with a tax-deductible donation. chi.streetsblog.org/about/donate We're at $13,180, with $36,820 to go to complete our 2026 budget. Thanks to recent donors...

Scenes from the 5th round of dueling rallies against and for the Archer Safe Streets project. Plus ex-alder Cardenas says Chicago should act like Madrid and not build protected bike lanes. But Seville, Spain, quickly built a robust PBL network. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/06/r...

Headlines: Axios: "Chicago transit stories to watch in 2026"; After woman died on Red Line Monday at Howard, this morning there was another medical emergency at Berwyn; Ald. Gardiner, who told people not to ride CTA on NYE, demands safety improvements.

Dozens of couriers and other bike riders showed up for a memorial parade to honor Ryan Riccio, 33, who worked at Snap Courier and passed away on 12/22. www.facebook.com/reel/1176088... His family has posted a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses: www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-...

Round 5 of the dueling Archer Avenue rallies, plus ex-alder George Cardenas enters the chat with his windshield point-of-view.

Ex-Ald. Cardenas tried to get rid of lifesaving speed cams to win votes. chi.streetsblog.org/2015/11/09/o... Now he's got his sites on the Archer traffic safety project, claiming Madrid shows why Chicago shouldn't build PBLs. Seville is an example of why we should. www.facebook.com/votealderman...

Ryan Riccio, 33, who delivered for Snap Courier, "passed away suddenly" on 12/22. www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/4... Memorial ride 2 PM today from Merchandise Mart, Wells St. side. He was featured in a ST piece on working in the heat: "He enjoys his job." chicago.suntimes.com/2022/6/15/23...

This is today Chicago 🙏 #RIP

I just donated to #SupportYIMBY because I want a future of abundant, affordable housing for everyone. @abundanthousingil.bsky.social Join me: abundanthousingillinois.org/join/?form=d...

Yesterday, the CTA L lines ran: 97% Yellow 94% Pink 87% Green 81% Orange 80% Brown 77% Red 70% Blue 46% Purple ... of scheduled trains. Since 2020, CTA L Service has been cut by 1%. Riders deserve frequent and reliable transit, with return to at least pre-2020 levels.

This project is interesting...15 new homes are going to be attached to an existing building here.

Have input for Chicago's Better Streets for Buses Plan? The Bus Priority Corridor Study is exploring ways to make bus travel faster, more convenient, and more comfortable for riders. Tap the link below to provide input www.menti.com/algv7baftywz

Headlines ICYMI: "Driver fatally struck pedestrian Tuesday on four-lane Touhy in Lincolnwood; Coroner says Allen Chiquini, 30, found dead near UP-N tracks in Liberty, was struck by train; "Your Uber Will Cost More In These Zones Starting Now." @blockclubchi.bsky.social

Wishing a fast/full recovery to GOP State Sen. Don DeWitte, who recently underwent cancer surgery and says: "The good news is... my prognosis is excellent." www.dailyherald.com/20260105/ill... Our interview with him on the transit funding bill: chi.streetsblog.org/2025/09/05/g...

More bad news from CTA yesterday. Woman, 58, died on Red train at Howard Monday around 11:25 AM. chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0... Woman, 37, and man, 24, if fair condition after they argued w/ a suspect who stabbed them Monday around 10:53 PM at 69th Red stop.

Trump's transit czar: "There's no other way to make the CTA safer besides deploying a lot more police, or maybe the National Guard!" Los Angeles: "Psst..." @streetsblogla.bsky.social @atalliance.bsky.social @metroplanning.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org @chicagocta.bsky.social @ctaction.org

Emails show Ald. Ramirez told NBC: 1. The Archer safety project "has a group that has been present on Mondays to show their support." 2. It's a Complete Streets initiative, "not about turning 2 lanes to 1." chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/05/w...

Here's our hard-hitting report on New Year's sustainable transportation options on the Southeast Side and Northwest Indiana. 🚉 🚲 🎸 🥟 🥳 chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/05/d...

John had a cordial convo with Archer opponent Julie Sawicki last night at the dueling rallies. Image: Chicago Critical Mass FB account. Eyes on the Street post re: the event later today. www.facebook.com/reel/1248391... More on Sawacki: chi.streetsblog.org/2025/12/17/r... @chicritmass.bsky.social

We’ve got receipts. Emails show Ald. Ramirez gave NBC full info on the Archer Avenue traffic safety project, and dueling pro- / anti- rallies. Why didn’t that material make it into NBC's lopsided TV report? chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/05/w...

This post about a pilgrimage to the Pierogi Drop on New Years Eve is stuffed with info on navigating the SE Side and NW Indiana by train + bike. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/05/d...

There's another dueling anti- / pro-Archer Avenue safe streets project tonight from 4-6 PM at 3868 S. Archer in Brighton Park. Here's a writeup of the last one we attended. @swcollectivechi.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org @chicritmass.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org

We got some very strong positive and negative responses to Nik Hunder's op-ed calling for changing standard CTA bus stop spacing from 1/8 to 1/4 mile, a 660' difference. To follow peer cities' best practices on this issue, ADA concerns must be addressed. chi.streetsblog.org/2026/01/02/a...

Awful: Last month teens beat a man, 62, into a coma on bus near Cicero Blue Line station. wgntv.com/news/chicago... On Friday, a man, 39, was stabbed, critically injured at same location. abc7chicago.com/post/chicago... @chicagocta.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social

In November, filmmaker Myron Levin showed "Power Trip," about how media encourages deadly driving, at Movement on Montrose, cohosted by SBC. Here's video of the Q&A we just received from the event center. SBC's interview w/ Levin: chi.streetsblog.org/2025/11/06/m...

Headlines: Transit professional insights into RLE and NITA; Court: Woman who murdered landlord still owed $2.8M from CTA for crash that caused neurological injuries; "'Northwest Passage' connecting Ogilvie and Clinton CTA station deserves another go." @stevevance.net @starlinechicago.bsky.social

Some folks would be outraged if Chicago abolished our 1/8-mile bus stop spacing, but Nik Hunder says it would be a cheap way to speed up service. "A win for most should not be disrupted by an upset minority."

A not-terrible Tribune editorial about transit, for a change. 👍

This is what traffic looked like on Archer at 5:44pm last night—similar to what it’s been the past four weeks. Nobody likes congestion, but maybe we should wait until construction wraps up so we can judge this project based on the results.

The State/Lake Loop Elevated station will temporarily close starting Monday, January 5, 2026. Crews will work to replace one of the oldest stations on the CTA rail system with a modern facility designed to improve safety, accessibility, and comfort for all riders.

Star:Line Chicago 2025 Transit Year in Review: Total Unlinked Trips: 743 Total Linked Trips: 517 Unique Operating Agencies: 13 🚂 Metra Trips: 301 🚌 Pace Trips: 239 🚇 CTA Trips: 147 Top Bus Route: 307 (197 trips) Top Rail Route: MD-W (127 trips) Top Station: Ogilvie (117 trips) Networks Saved: 1

Be sure to thank your CTA operators today (and everyday!)

Here's some kind words for Streetsblog Chicago cofounder Steven Vance's main project nowadays. (He's still an important sounding board / tips & tech person / occasional writer for SBC.) bsky.app/profile/chic... @stevevance.net

Tired: vacant lot in high-amenity neighborhood Wired: 32 new homes buff.ly/IkWutgG

Yesterday, the CTA L lines ran: 94% Yellow 80% Red 80% Green 68% Pink 65% Brown 59% Blue 50% Purple 47% Orange ... of scheduled trains. Since 2020, CTA L Service has been cut by 8%. Riders deserve frequent and reliable transit, with return to at least pre-2020 levels.

Hope you had a safe, fun NYE! Thanks to recent donors: Gautam K Andrew C, H & G Bevin S Tyler B Aaron C Kurtis P Alex K Ben C We're at $11,885 w/ $38,115 to go to complete our 2026 budget. Please consider chipping if you haven't already. Thank you! chi.streetsblog.org/about/donate

What do you folks think about us staging a "Streetsblog Versus Smoking on CTA" week, exploring holistic ideas to address the issue via interviews, outreach and/or tactical urbanism? 1️⃣ No: Misguided / dangerous 2️⃣ Meh: Kind of lame 3️⃣ Heck yeah, but be careful 📊 Show results

Transit advocates rightly put Ald. Jim Gardiner (45) on blast after he suggested on New Year's Eve, the biggest drinking night of year, that "residents avoid using [free] CTA after sundown until noticeable improvements are made." www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1...

Headlines: CTA issues RFP for redevelopment near Roscoe/Clark; Trib: "More workers are coming downtown in new year. It’s showtime for our transit systems"; 1000s packed pedestrianized Wacker for DCRNYE, including CTA spokesmodel Chance.