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Opening streets to create space for socially-distanced transportation and recreation during the pandemic is becoming mainstream. It's disappointing that Chicago's leading transportation advocacy group has pretty much said it's not going to support this. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/us/coronavirus-street-closures.html
Here are statements from ATA on open streets. They've declined to discuss this on the record with SBC. They raise legit points about resources and policing, but the cheap, non-policed Oakland model addresses them. The're also right about the need for input from POC communities.
It's notable that a sustainable transportation org is arguing against making more room for safe socially-distanced walking and biking. "Open streets does not align with... the need to stay home as much as possible" and +/- "at the moment we must do a lot less walking and biking."
ATA's position that people should avoid leaving their homes during the pandemic and do less walking and biking than usual, and that we shouldn't make more space for these modes with social distance through open streets (they haven't ruled out widening sidewalks) is misguided.
This position doesn't reflect what we know about how the virus is spread. It doesn't reflect the fact that transit should be a last resort during the pandemic, which means we should be walking and biking *more*.
ATA's position doesn't reflect that socially-distanced outdoor activity is a key for maintaining physical & mental health during a multi-month Stay at Home order. And it doesn't reflect the fact that Illinois' SAH order calls walking, running & biking "essential activities."
ATA's position *does* reflect Mayor Lightfoot's narrow interpretation of the SAH order: "You cannot go on long bike rides... Outside is for a brief respite, not for 5Ks." No explanation from the mayor for why a socially-distanced "long" bike ride or 3.1-mile run is problematic.
Maybe it's a coincidence that ATA and the mayor have similar POVs on what's safe during COVID-19. But it's worth noting ATA has a closer relationship with the city than many peer orgs, including doing consulting work for the city, and it's rare for them to contradict the mayor.
Again ATA has raised some valid concerns about open streets, and it's a great org overall. We value the work they've done during the pandemic advocating for transit funding, transit safety, and to keep bike shops open and safe. We're generally on the same page w/ them on issues.
But this is a rare situation where we feel that ATA has seriously dropped the ball on an issue. Former ATA employees tell us they feel the same way. While input and buy-in is needed from communities hit hardest by C-19 is needed, open streets could benefit all Chicagoans.
As such SBC will continue advocating for open streets, as well as reopening the LFT for essential commuting. While ATA won't be helping with these campaigns, I'm confident it won't be long until ATA and SBC join forces again on a common goal. -John Greenfield, editor
