Students and parents in Chicago urge for improved safety measures on school routes
Chicago: High school students in an after-school bike program were asked if they had ever been hit by a car while cycling. Only three raised their hands, but it’s a serious issue. Since 2021, over 2,860 young cyclists and pedestrians in Chicago have been struck by vehicles.
Experts say that while some safety measures have helped reduce injuries, there’s still a lot to be done. In Cook County, traffic accidents caused 39 deaths among young pedestrians and cyclists from 2018 to 2022. The city has rolled out various safety projects, but many schools still lack adequate protection.
Students and parents are calling for more initiatives. Christopher Garcia, an 18-year-old cyclist, shared his experience of being hit by a car. He emphasized that drivers often don’t see cyclists, making it feel like they’re invisible on the road.
Parents like Carrie Bires, who walks her son to school, are also concerned. Despite some improvements, she still sees reckless driving near their school. Another parent, Pat Corcoran, is advocating for better safety measures after two teen cyclists were hit nearby.
Corcoran’s son enjoys walking to school, but the dangers of crossing busy streets are a constant worry. Recent traffic-calming projects have been implemented, but more enforcement is needed to ensure drivers obey the rules.
In areas like Archer Heights, parents feel unsafe walking or biking their kids to school due to nearby busy roads. They want more safety features like bump-outs and pedestrian islands to make crossing safer.
Despite the growth in bike lanes, gaps remain. CDOT is working on various projects to improve safety around schools, but the number of completed projects is hard to track. Some improvements are subtle, like better bike lanes that aren’t labeled as school projects.
Students appreciate the freedom biking gives them, but they want safer routes. Garcia believes more separation between cars and bikes is essential. He’s taken steps to be visible while riding home, but he wishes drivers would be more aware of students on the road.
