PathPath
  • About Us
  • Contact Streetsblog SF
  • Our Funders
  • Comment Moderation Policy
  • Streetsblog San Francisco Editorial Independence Policy
  • Donor Transparency Policy
    Follow Us:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Streetsblog Logo
    • HOME
    • USA
    • NYC
    • MASS
    • LA
    • CHI
    • SF
    • CAL
    • STREETFILMS
    • DONATE
Streetsblog SF Logo
  • Pedestrian Safety
  • Bicycling
  • Muni
  • Parking
  • Peninsula
  • California
    Follow Us:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

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

Photo: Streetsblog.

Education, infrastructure, and holding drivers accountable > bike helmets for cyclist safety

By John Greenfield | Jul 27, 2022 | No Comments
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.
Four of the at least 23 people killed by drivers this year while on foot or bike in Chicago: Angel Thomas, 35; Nick Parlingayan, 22; Richard Heljean, 57; and Miriam Grande, 70.

ProPublica Helps Lawmakers Who Want to Let Motorists Drive at Deadly Speeds

By John Greenfield | Jul 11, 2022 | No Comments
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.
Image: Charles Edward Miller, CC

Awful WBEZ speed cam piece disregards safety data, ignores traffic violence victims

By John Greenfield | Jun 28, 2022 | No Comments
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.
Clockwise from upper-left: Helmut Jahn, Adé Hogue, Paresh Chhtrala, Gerardo Marciales

Advocates Discuss Significance of ‘Ride of Silence’

By John Greenfield | May 16, 2022 | No Comments
It’s been a rough past year for Chicagoans who ride bikes
The driver of a monster pickup truck stops for a family using one of the new pedestrian islands in Columbus Park. Photo: John Greenfield

Neighbors Say Road Diet Causes ‘Traffic Nightmare,’ but Data Tell a Different Story

By John Greenfield | May 12, 2022 | No Comments
In reality, plenty of people benefit from such projects. But the media often highlight the loudest, least-informed voices.

Gas Giveaways Harm People. Don’t Let Rich Politicians do Them.

By John Greenfield | Mar 21, 2022 | No Comments
Gas giveaways don't just benefit some residents while ignoring others, they negatively impact vulnerable people by slowing down buses and creating more emissions.
"Little girl, you should wear reflective safety gear so that grownups in cars won't kill you when you walk in the street at night because there are no sidewalks." Image: National Road Safety Foundation, Chicago Auto Show

Chicago Auto Show producers sponsor contest that produces awful victim-blaming PSAs

By John Greenfield | Mar 11, 2022 | No Comments
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 […]
Eben Weiss. Photo: Elliott Weiss

Podcast: John talks with Eben Weiss, aka Bike Snob NYC, about legalizing the Idaho stop

By John Greenfield | Feb 22, 2022 | No Comments
We also discussed why ultimately U.S. cities should be building citywide networks of connected, protected bikeways with logical traffic light timing, so Idaho stop laws become unnecessary.
Photo illustration

Illinois lawmakers killed an “Idaho stop” bill this week, but one could pass in the future

By John Greenfield | Feb 18, 2022 | No Comments
Treating stop signs like yield signs is nearly universal among bike riders, and Idaho stop laws have been shown to reduce bike injuries. Rep. Janet Yang Roh explained why her bill didn't pass – this time.
Image: Christian Gooden via Creative Commons

Talk on Traffic Cameras

By John Greenfield | Feb 15, 2022 | No Comments
Researchers discuss potential equity issues with the program, as well as sharing the nitty-gritty of their methodology.
Illustration: Rachal Duggan

More Evidence that Speed Cameras Save Lives

By John Greenfield | Jan 7, 2022 | No Comments
The new report compared the changes in crash numbers near speed cameras and citywide between 2012-13 and 2018-2019 and confirmed that collision numbers have stayed relatively low near the cams.
The Montrose Blue Line station and evening rush hour traffic on the Kennedy Expressway. Photo: John Greenfield

Reality check: You can’t solve congestion by widening roads – invest in transit instead

By John Greenfield | Dec 13, 2021 | No Comments
Yes, driving to work in Chicagoland is terrible, but more lanes aren't the answer. We need faster, more frequent, and more reliable CTA and Metra service.
Load more stories
      • About Us
      • Contact Streetsblog SF
      • Our Funders
      • Comment Moderation Policy
      • Streetsblog San Francisco Editorial Independence Policy
      • Donor Transparency Policy
        Follow Us:
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      Streetsblog SF Logo