It was disheartening to see our collaboratively written, research-based letter about bike lanes dismissed as “opinion” in a response letter in the March 5 edition of Wednesday Journal’s Viewpoints section. Our intent was to provide objective, well-supported information to inform an ongoing community discussion, without commenting on specific lanes or plans.
Instead of engaging with the content, the response dismissed the conversation outright, while also making the incorrect claim that “no one asked for these bike lanes.” This bold and uninformed statement overlooks the active involvement of numerous community members and organizations actively advocating for safer streets and better bike infrastructure. The recently approved Vision Zero Action Plan, which includes expanding bike infrastructure as a key strategy, received substantial support from residents, including parents, schoolchildren, and local cyclists.
Beyond this particular exchange, I believe we face a broader challenge in how we in Oak Park approach discussions about change. Too often, we operate within a scarcity mindset — the idea that any change is a loss to one group rather than a potential gain for the community as a whole. Those who feel directly impacted by a change, such as residents on a street where a new bike lane is proposed, have an immediate platform to voice their concerns. Meanwhile, those who would benefit, whether it’s commuters seeking safer routes, older adults who want to stay active, or parents who want their kids to bike to school safely, are a more dispersed and less organized group. Because they don’t live on the specific blocks being discussed, their voices are often missing from these conversations, even though they, too, have a stake in the outcome.
Community discussions about change are most productive when they acknowledge both the concerns of those directly affected and the broader benefits to the entire village. A well-rounded conversation should consider not just immediate inconveniences but also the long-term gains for safety, mobility, and quality of life. When we expand our perspective, we can move from a mindset of scarcity — where change is seen as a threat — to one of possibility, where we explore how change can contribute to a stronger, more connected community. I hope we can move forward with conversations that are thoughtful, informed, and open to different perspectives — with a shared goal of creating a safer, more accessible and thriving Oak Park.
For those who would like to review the data that informed the original letter written on behalf of Bike Walk Oak Park, here are the sources:
Transportation Research: Impact of Bike Infrastructure on Property Values: https://trec.pdx.edu/research/project/1330
National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO): Emergency Response and Bike Lanes: https://nacto.org/publication/urban-bikeway-design-guide/
Portland State University Transportation Research and Education Center: Economic Impact of Bike Lanes: https://trec.pdx.edu/news/study-finds-bike-lanes-can-provide-positive-economic-impact-cities
Bicycle Infrastructure and Traffic Congestion: Evidence from DC’s Capital Bikeshare: https://scholarship.richmond.edu/economics-faculty-publications/57/
League of American Bicyclists: Ridership and Bike Infrastructure: https://bikeleague.org/new-report-benchmarking-bike-networks/
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Safety Benefits of Dedicated Bike Lanes: https://highways.dot.gov/safety/proven-safety-countermeasures/bicycle-lanes
Vision Zero Action Plan: https://engageoakpark.com/visionzero
Nicole Chavas
On behalf of Bike Walk Oak Park