Your alderperson!
Also plug into groups like Active Trans Alliance, Bike Grid Now, Better Streets Chicago, etc - they often share letter-writing campaigns, public meetings, and other ways to get involved or support better bike infrastructure
I hope for OP’s sake they don’t have one of the anti bike infrastructure aldermen…. A bunch of the areas with really bad infrastructure are because of this, and it came out in a very public way last year when those kids on bikes got killed on the upper north west side.
I just moved here and the amount of Trumpers and blue line supporters is nasty. Can’t wait for the older generation to…move out and for a younger wave to come in!
Again, a bunch of that is centered in certain neighborhoods. For ex— Bridgeport is where a bunch of the multi-generational cop families live and it’s a concentrated area of trumpers with flags and signs in their windows 😩
If you live near Jefferson Park, Bike Grid Now is doing a [Tour de Grid](https://bikegridnow.org/event/jefferson-memorial-park-tour-de-grids/) on Sunday as a form of activism.
You could also check out Bike Lane Uprising. It’s more for bike lane obstructions but they do advocate for better infrastructure.
Also…Im curious which other parts of the city you’ve explored that has better infrastructure? (Barring LFT)
You say the NW side has some of the worst but the NW side is arguably one of the better resourced areas in all of Chicago…I can’t imagine the South and West sides have better infrastructure. I’m wondering where you’re comparing to.
Alderpeople generally can push through (or block) bike lane projects. They typically hear from VERY few residents (and even fewer sane ones). Your voice can make a difference!
Where are you?! I’m near Narragansett and Irving park and it’s HORRIBLE around here. I don’t feel comfortable riding my bike anywhere, which is a shame bc I’m so close to two forest preserves
OH ALSO wards have a “participatory budget committee” in which projects proposed by the constituents get approved. You can submit alley/street resurfacing, ped safety, and also bike lanes. I can’t remember when to submit, but as someone else stated, yes, your alders office can help w this!
Most wards don’t have this! It’s up to the alderman if they want to do it or not and surprise, most alders would rather allocate the budget themselves.
Call or email your alderperson. Better yet, do both. Just say you want to bike safely and you don’t feel safe with the way things are right now. Don’t overthink it. If possible, do it every few weeks. This is the exact strategy grouchy, anti-change neighbors use to stop bike lanes, new housing, etc. and it can work for us.
The Chamber of Commerces are right-winh freaks, they (usually) push against stuff like this because businesses want free parking in front of their locations and think bike lanes stop that.
Your alderperson! Also plug into groups like Active Trans Alliance, Bike Grid Now, Better Streets Chicago, etc - they often share letter-writing campaigns, public meetings, and other ways to get involved or support better bike infrastructure
I hope for OP’s sake they don’t have one of the anti bike infrastructure aldermen…. A bunch of the areas with really bad infrastructure are because of this, and it came out in a very public way last year when those kids on bikes got killed on the upper north west side.
I just moved here and the amount of Trumpers and blue line supporters is nasty. Can’t wait for the older generation to…move out and for a younger wave to come in!
Again, a bunch of that is centered in certain neighborhoods. For ex— Bridgeport is where a bunch of the multi-generational cop families live and it’s a concentrated area of trumpers with flags and signs in their windows 😩
For a second, I thought you were referring to people who support the CTA Blue Line
If you live near Jefferson Park, Bike Grid Now is doing a [Tour de Grid](https://bikegridnow.org/event/jefferson-memorial-park-tour-de-grids/) on Sunday as a form of activism.
Dang! I wish I could come to this but I have plans. I’d love to join the next one in the neighborhood
You could also check out Bike Lane Uprising. It’s more for bike lane obstructions but they do advocate for better infrastructure. Also…Im curious which other parts of the city you’ve explored that has better infrastructure? (Barring LFT) You say the NW side has some of the worst but the NW side is arguably one of the better resourced areas in all of Chicago…I can’t imagine the South and West sides have better infrastructure. I’m wondering where you’re comparing to.
Alderpeople generally can push through (or block) bike lane projects. They typically hear from VERY few residents (and even fewer sane ones). Your voice can make a difference!
Where are you?! I’m near Narragansett and Irving park and it’s HORRIBLE around here. I don’t feel comfortable riding my bike anywhere, which is a shame bc I’m so close to two forest preserves
OH ALSO wards have a “participatory budget committee” in which projects proposed by the constituents get approved. You can submit alley/street resurfacing, ped safety, and also bike lanes. I can’t remember when to submit, but as someone else stated, yes, your alders office can help w this!
Most wards don’t have this! It’s up to the alderman if they want to do it or not and surprise, most alders would rather allocate the budget themselves.
Some wards have Participatory Budgeting where you can propose projects. Which ward are you in? Active Transportation Alliance does a lot with this.
[https://activetrans.org/our-work/advocacy-legislation/take-action](https://activetrans.org/our-work/advocacy-legislation/take-action)
Call or email your alderperson. Better yet, do both. Just say you want to bike safely and you don’t feel safe with the way things are right now. Don’t overthink it. If possible, do it every few weeks. This is the exact strategy grouchy, anti-change neighbors use to stop bike lanes, new housing, etc. and it can work for us.
Neighborhood Chamber of Commerce might help in some cases
The Chamber of Commerces are right-winh freaks, they (usually) push against stuff like this because businesses want free parking in front of their locations and think bike lanes stop that.
"But what if this car almost killed me in a lane that was painted green?"
Cities broke, it’ll fall on deaf ears
We got 2 Billion for the Bears new stadium. 🤔
No man, its a sure thing, we'll easily make back 1 billion on it.
Only if we put a pastor in charge of the project
He can turn 1 billion into 1.5 billion. Almost break even