(The Center Square) – Chicago business owners say bike lanes and concrete barriers are driving customers away.
One after another, business owners, operators and workers addressed the city council’s committee on pedestrian and traffic safety last week.
Evelyn Almanza said her mother owns a hair salon and said business owners and community members are frustrated with the bike lanes on Archer Avenue.
“Our customers don’t have places to park and end up leaving when trying to access our services. Many businesses, including my mom’s, are facing a decrease in revenue,” Almanza said.
Bakery owner Juan Castro said the bike lanes are hurting his business and others in the neighborhood.
“Why would I want to keep my business here, knowing that I can go somewhere else and have better access. You’re making people not want to live in Brighton Park,” Castro said.
Chicago Department of Transportation officials say Complete Streets programs make city streets safer and more accessible for everyone.
According to Chicago’s 2026 Capital Investment plan, the 2025 to 2029 Transit/Bicycle/Pedestrian Program totals $641.3 million.
Brighton Park resident Rosala Ramirez said recently-installed concrete barriers cause traffic backups and prevent ambulances from getting through.
“There was no space for the cars to move and allow the emergency vehicles to pass. This was and will be a safety risk and hazard issue where someone who needs medical attention cannot get help or reach a hospital in a timely manner,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez asked why the community was not properly informed about a major thoroughfare like Archer Avenue being reduced from four lanes to two.
Speaking in Spanish, Juan Muñoz said he could not believe the government created a disaster on city streets with the tax dollars people pay.
“It is a total disaster,” Muñoz said.
