Sidestreets
@sidestreets.bsky.social
Radically pedestrian urban planning.
Chicago-centric. ✶✶✶✶
Chicago-centric. ✶✶✶✶
Pinned
Sidestreets
@sidestreets.bsky.social
· Dec 11
I took a picture earlier this week that I think encapsulates the isolation and danger of living in a city that doesn’t #plowthesidewalks and a neighborhood where reactionaries want to tear out an under-construction safety project on Archer Avenue.
It’s a message about priorities.
It’s a message about priorities.
Reposted by Sidestreets
Happy Valentines Day to Chicago community builders everywhere including Neighbors for Archer Safe Streets and especially artists who generously share their gifts for a better city for all 🍑
February 15, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Happy Valentines Day to Chicago community builders everywhere including Neighbors for Archer Safe Streets and especially artists who generously share their gifts for a better city for all 🍑
Flowers on the L, Valentine’s Day
🌹🚇💌
🌹🚇💌
February 14, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Flowers on the L, Valentine’s Day
🌹🚇💌
🌹🚇💌
A Vignelli masterpiece.
February 14, 2026 at 4:18 AM
A Vignelli masterpiece.
“I would kill to have a hybrid-electric sedan,” General Motors President Mark Reuss said during a recent company town hall. “We’re working on how to do that.”
Conveniently for Ruess, GM mostly makes large SUVs that are very efficient at killing.
Conveniently for Ruess, GM mostly makes large SUVs that are very efficient at killing.
Reading this article about US automakers' regrets over abandoning cars for trucks and SUVs, I wonder if the mistake would've been apparent earlier if we didn't have so many barriers to trade in the sector, between technical standards and tariffs www.wsj.com/business/aut... (gift link)
America Fell Out of Love With the Sedan. Detroit Wants to Bring It Back.
With drivers looking for more affordable options, U.S. automakers are having second thoughts about abandoning the mass-market sedan.
www.wsj.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:57 AM
“I would kill to have a hybrid-electric sedan,” General Motors President Mark Reuss said during a recent company town hall. “We’re working on how to do that.”
Conveniently for Ruess, GM mostly makes large SUVs that are very efficient at killing.
Conveniently for Ruess, GM mostly makes large SUVs that are very efficient at killing.
Reposted by Sidestreets
Fun fact: the rest of the Camry Lot used to be a sprawling complex called the House of the Good Shepherd, which housed women and girls up until the 70s. The current operation on the site is a successor
February 14, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Fun fact: the rest of the Camry Lot used to be a sprawling complex called the House of the Good Shepherd, which housed women and girls up until the 70s. The current operation on the site is a successor
The last day of Tonika Johnson’s map installation at the @newberrylibrary.bsky.social
🔴 is where people have been told to not go, other colors are demographics.
🔴 is where people have been told to not go, other colors are demographics.
February 14, 2026 at 12:37 AM
The last day of Tonika Johnson’s map installation at the @newberrylibrary.bsky.social
🔴 is where people have been told to not go, other colors are demographics.
🔴 is where people have been told to not go, other colors are demographics.
Biking in Chicago is perfectly reasonable in February.
February 14, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Biking in Chicago is perfectly reasonable in February.
Expensive vehicles parked on the bus lane during the peak of rush hour.
These rich people are stealing from the public. They can’t even pay to park here at this hour.
These rich people are stealing from the public. They can’t even pay to park here at this hour.
February 13, 2026 at 11:13 PM
Expensive vehicles parked on the bus lane during the peak of rush hour.
These rich people are stealing from the public. They can’t even pay to park here at this hour.
These rich people are stealing from the public. They can’t even pay to park here at this hour.
This stretch of half-a-block of one-way has a bike lane on each side, and parking on each side of that.
Somehow, both bike lanes are blocked by drivers. What are we doing here?
Somehow, both bike lanes are blocked by drivers. What are we doing here?
February 13, 2026 at 9:39 PM
This stretch of half-a-block of one-way has a bike lane on each side, and parking on each side of that.
Somehow, both bike lanes are blocked by drivers. What are we doing here?
Somehow, both bike lanes are blocked by drivers. What are we doing here?
It says a lot that @ilsecofstate.bsky.social puts the onus of responsibility on vulnerable road users before motorists.
Common sense is not to blame the victims.
Common sense is not to blame the victims.
February 13, 2026 at 8:15 PM
It says a lot that @ilsecofstate.bsky.social puts the onus of responsibility on vulnerable road users before motorists.
Common sense is not to blame the victims.
Common sense is not to blame the victims.
Reposted by Sidestreets
🇺🇸U.S. zoning🦅
Putting cars in a house: ✅ and often required
Using car as a house: 🚫
Doing business in a house: 🚫
Using business as a house: 🚫
Using car to do business: ✅
Putting cars in a business: ✅ and often required especially if it's a bar 😱
make this make sense
bsky.app/profile/tmcc...
Putting cars in a house: ✅ and often required
Using car as a house: 🚫
Doing business in a house: 🚫
Using business as a house: 🚫
Using car to do business: ✅
Putting cars in a business: ✅ and often required especially if it's a bar 😱
make this make sense
bsky.app/profile/tmcc...
also, exclusionarily, cars/vehicles are everywhere (in the US) catered to, given space free by mandate, allowed everywhere — but not if people are dwelling in them! which is largely prohibited, reversing which is probably the cheapest, fastest, most adaptable way we could ensure housing for all.
The funny thing about residential zoning though is, put that business in a car and suddenly it's OK!
Services that go to someone's house, gig work food delivery and ride apps, etc are all businesses operating in residential zones, but since they're on wheels, it gets around local zoning.
Services that go to someone's house, gig work food delivery and ride apps, etc are all businesses operating in residential zones, but since they're on wheels, it gets around local zoning.
February 13, 2026 at 7:47 AM
🇺🇸U.S. zoning🦅
Putting cars in a house: ✅ and often required
Using car as a house: 🚫
Doing business in a house: 🚫
Using business as a house: 🚫
Using car to do business: ✅
Putting cars in a business: ✅ and often required especially if it's a bar 😱
make this make sense
bsky.app/profile/tmcc...
Putting cars in a house: ✅ and often required
Using car as a house: 🚫
Doing business in a house: 🚫
Using business as a house: 🚫
Using car to do business: ✅
Putting cars in a business: ✅ and often required especially if it's a bar 😱
make this make sense
bsky.app/profile/tmcc...
The bad news:
painting yellow lines on the road is going to become more expensive.
🟨=💸
The good news:
white, green, and red lane markings aren't included.
◻️= 🅿️,🟩=🚲, 🟥=🚌
Go forth and paint complete streets!
www.slotkin.senate.gov/2026/02/10/s...
painting yellow lines on the road is going to become more expensive.
🟨=💸
The good news:
white, green, and red lane markings aren't included.
◻️= 🅿️,🟩=🚲, 🟥=🚌
Go forth and paint complete streets!
www.slotkin.senate.gov/2026/02/10/s...
February 13, 2026 at 6:01 PM
The bad news:
painting yellow lines on the road is going to become more expensive.
🟨=💸
The good news:
white, green, and red lane markings aren't included.
◻️= 🅿️,🟩=🚲, 🟥=🚌
Go forth and paint complete streets!
www.slotkin.senate.gov/2026/02/10/s...
painting yellow lines on the road is going to become more expensive.
🟨=💸
The good news:
white, green, and red lane markings aren't included.
◻️= 🅿️,🟩=🚲, 🟥=🚌
Go forth and paint complete streets!
www.slotkin.senate.gov/2026/02/10/s...
You can't install a Trump sign in downtown Chicago unless Brendan Reilly gives it his signature.
chicago.suntimes.com/2015/9/10/18...
chicago.suntimes.com/2015/9/10/18...
February 13, 2026 at 4:45 AM
You can't install a Trump sign in downtown Chicago unless Brendan Reilly gives it his signature.
chicago.suntimes.com/2015/9/10/18...
chicago.suntimes.com/2015/9/10/18...
"DPD only gets to weigh in on this (upzoning) because the project has to go to the Plan Commission, a separate body that weighs in before the zoning committee. Notably, the planning department doesn’t have a similar mechanism to oppose down-zonings."
This is a system designed to gentrify.
This is a system designed to gentrify.
Great words from @rsday.bsky.social
this morning on the strange, and damaging, concern that building taller high rises in West Loop would be a bad idea
citythatworks.substack.com/p/against-sm...
this morning on the strange, and damaging, concern that building taller high rises in West Loop would be a bad idea
citythatworks.substack.com/p/against-sm...
February 13, 2026 at 3:02 AM
"DPD only gets to weigh in on this (upzoning) because the project has to go to the Plan Commission, a separate body that weighs in before the zoning committee. Notably, the planning department doesn’t have a similar mechanism to oppose down-zonings."
This is a system designed to gentrify.
This is a system designed to gentrify.
It's Lincoln's birthday, so here's a 🧵 about the history of the Lincoln Highway.
Along with the 'mother road' Route 66 (1926) and the National Old Trails Road (1912), the Lincoln Highway (1913) was an early attempt to link the east and west coasts by the last vestige of the Good Roads Movement.
Along with the 'mother road' Route 66 (1926) and the National Old Trails Road (1912), the Lincoln Highway (1913) was an early attempt to link the east and west coasts by the last vestige of the Good Roads Movement.
February 12, 2026 at 10:34 PM
It's Lincoln's birthday, so here's a 🧵 about the history of the Lincoln Highway.
Along with the 'mother road' Route 66 (1926) and the National Old Trails Road (1912), the Lincoln Highway (1913) was an early attempt to link the east and west coasts by the last vestige of the Good Roads Movement.
Along with the 'mother road' Route 66 (1926) and the National Old Trails Road (1912), the Lincoln Highway (1913) was an early attempt to link the east and west coasts by the last vestige of the Good Roads Movement.
This is Clinton. Doors open on the right.
February 12, 2026 at 3:08 AM
This is Clinton. Doors open on the right.
Transit-Oriented Farming?
“… now want to convert much of the building into vertical farming racks alongside a health research center and incubator for controlled-environment farming startups, a produce market, restaurants and a rooftop garden featuring solar panels, greenhouses and outdoor dining.”
“… now want to convert much of the building into vertical farming racks alongside a health research center and incubator for controlled-environment farming startups, a produce market, restaurants and a rooftop garden featuring solar panels, greenhouses and outdoor dining.”
www.costar.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Transit-Oriented Farming?
“… now want to convert much of the building into vertical farming racks alongside a health research center and incubator for controlled-environment farming startups, a produce market, restaurants and a rooftop garden featuring solar panels, greenhouses and outdoor dining.”
“… now want to convert much of the building into vertical farming racks alongside a health research center and incubator for controlled-environment farming startups, a produce market, restaurants and a rooftop garden featuring solar panels, greenhouses and outdoor dining.”
Reporting live from the same spot at Archer/35th/Hoyne.
Just watched someone ride a bike on the sidewalk and crosswalk, because the road is too dangerous. @illinoisdot.bsky.social needs to do something to make their road safe!
Just watched someone ride a bike on the sidewalk and crosswalk, because the road is too dangerous. @illinoisdot.bsky.social needs to do something to make their road safe!
February 11, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Reporting live from the same spot at Archer/35th/Hoyne.
Just watched someone ride a bike on the sidewalk and crosswalk, because the road is too dangerous. @illinoisdot.bsky.social needs to do something to make their road safe!
Just watched someone ride a bike on the sidewalk and crosswalk, because the road is too dangerous. @illinoisdot.bsky.social needs to do something to make their road safe!
You’re my hero, #9 🚌
February 11, 2026 at 3:38 AM
You’re my hero, #9 🚌
The many faces of Alderman Marty Quinn
February 10, 2026 at 11:43 PM
The many faces of Alderman Marty Quinn
Reposted by Sidestreets
A coyote walks through the Streeterville neighborhood Monday evening in Chicago.
February 10, 2026 at 4:58 AM
A coyote walks through the Streeterville neighborhood Monday evening in Chicago.
"On Chicago’s North Side, a new bike lane is an “amenity”.
But on the South and West sides, that same lane is often read as the harbinger of gentrification."
The most impactful investment a city could make is education about 'gentrification', so its citizens aren't co-opted by the 'Great Again'ers.
But on the South and West sides, that same lane is often read as the harbinger of gentrification."
The most impactful investment a city could make is education about 'gentrification', so its citizens aren't co-opted by the 'Great Again'ers.
Yunus Emre Tozal: Why concrete barriers alone cannot fix Chicago’s Archer Avenue
On Chicago’s South and West sides, a bike lane is often read as the harbinger of gentrification.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:30 AM
"On Chicago’s North Side, a new bike lane is an “amenity”.
But on the South and West sides, that same lane is often read as the harbinger of gentrification."
The most impactful investment a city could make is education about 'gentrification', so its citizens aren't co-opted by the 'Great Again'ers.
But on the South and West sides, that same lane is often read as the harbinger of gentrification."
The most impactful investment a city could make is education about 'gentrification', so its citizens aren't co-opted by the 'Great Again'ers.
Track circuit failure problems in the Loop L during rush hour.
February 9, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Track circuit failure problems in the Loop L during rush hour.
Once again on Archer Avenue, where the quarter mile between the 35th/Archer Orange Ljne Station and double-wide Western Blvd has no crosswalks.
Right in the middle, a grocery store. Of course someone was going to cross here, but IDOT has decided they don’t matter enough.
Right in the middle, a grocery store. Of course someone was going to cross here, but IDOT has decided they don’t matter enough.
February 9, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Once again on Archer Avenue, where the quarter mile between the 35th/Archer Orange Ljne Station and double-wide Western Blvd has no crosswalks.
Right in the middle, a grocery store. Of course someone was going to cross here, but IDOT has decided they don’t matter enough.
Right in the middle, a grocery store. Of course someone was going to cross here, but IDOT has decided they don’t matter enough.
Reposted by Sidestreets
We all intuitively understand that slower speeds = fewer deaths. Would you rather be hit by a car going 5 mph or a car going 25 or even just 15 mph? Yet somehow when folks are asked to consider restrictions on their own ability to drive fast, their understand of physics evaporates.
February 9, 2026 at 6:43 PM
We all intuitively understand that slower speeds = fewer deaths. Would you rather be hit by a car going 5 mph or a car going 25 or even just 15 mph? Yet somehow when folks are asked to consider restrictions on their own ability to drive fast, their understand of physics evaporates.