Chicago's streets are getting a major boost in safety and accessibility, thanks to a significant urban transportation initiative led by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). In celebrating the completion of improvements on Milwaukee Avenue, the city marks an impressive milestone—over 100 miles of new bikeways have been installed, contributing to a 30% reduction in traffic fatalities since 2021. This achievement reflects a broader trend in Chicago, which is experiencing the lowest year-to-date totals in over a decade for traffic-related deaths, with 64 fatalities, including 22 pedestrian deaths, reported through the end of August this year, according to Chicago.gov.
Mayor Johnson was keen to highlight the significance of these advancements in urban planning. "Building safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers is a vital facet of our work building healthy, whole, and safe communities across our city," he told Chicago.gov. The newly renovated section of Milwaukee Avenue, stretching from Kinzie Street to Chicago Avenue, now features improved concrete protected bike lanes, redesigned intersections, and pedestrian safety enhancements—transformations intended to safely accommodate the varied commuting preferences of its residents.
Craig Turner, the Acting Commissioner of CDOT, emphasized the ongoing commitment to augmenting Chicago's transportation infrastructure. He noted to Chicago.gov that "Chicago has made significant progress in recent years," a testament to the city's dedication to improving the quality of life by reshaping its streets to accommodate diverse modes of transportation. CDOT's focus has not only been on expanding the bikeway network but also on ensuring accessibility and safety for all who traverse the city's arteries.
This commitment to improvement has not gone unnoticed by local officials. Alderman Daniel La Spata, Chairman of the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, expressed his poignant recollection of the past: "It has been wonderful to watch the success of the Chicago Cycling Strategy and I'm so excited to celebrate these first 100 miles of bike lanes under Mayor Johnson," Alderman La Spata recalled to Chicago.gov, invoking the memory of cyclist Sam Bell, who tragically lost his life years ago on Milwaukee Avenue. He believes that the significant strides made in cycling safety are a befitting homage to Bell's legacy.
The advances in bikeway installations reflect not just in the safer streets but also in the booming popularity of biking in Chicago, underscored by record-breaking user statistics for the city's Divvy bike share system. Sean Madison, Divvy General Manager, underscored the integral role of infrastructural improvements in this success: "August's record 995,000 Divvy rides shows what happens when great infrastructure meets accessible micromobility," Madison explained to Chicago.gov. The city plans to continue expanding these programs by making cycling and scooting an even more appealing and safe option for its residents.
The administration's focus on 'Complete Streets'—streets designed to provide safe access for all users—is becoming a reality, spurred by the support of capital bond funding from Mayor Johnson's Build Better Together plan. These street designs include elements meant to improve visibility, calm traffic, and diminish dangerous speeding. For more information on these transformative projects and the city's initiatives to promote traffic safety, interested parties are encouraged to visit Chicago.gov/CompleteStreets.
