Divvy, Chicago’s bike and scooter share system, logged back-to-back million-ride months in July and August, on top of a record 6.8 million rides in 2025.
Since 2013, Divvy has become an integral part of Chicago’s transportation landscape, providing residents with affordable and accessible alternatives to driving. Millions of residents and visitors have chosen a healthier and more sustainable option for trips around town thanks to Divvy’s bikes and scooters.
Perhaps most importantly, Divvy eases Chicago’s dependence on cars for everyday trips. That means fewer clogged roadways and less climate pollution. Even if you don’t use Divvy, you benefit from it.
As the City Council considers a new contract with Divvy’s operator, Lyft, it’s critical that we move forward so that both residents and visitors can continue to reap the rewards of having a world-class bike-sharing program in our city. This ongoing partnership will help ensure a high level of service, which includes accessible stations, a fleet of bikes and scooters that are well maintained, and affordable rates for riders.
As a city-owned system, Divvy is two-wheeled public transit, of which we should all be proud. This is not the typical approach taken by other cities. This structure has enabled the city to shape how and where Divvy will be deployed, ensure equitable and affordable access, and provide clear lines of accountability.
We have the framework for Divvy to continue to thrive, while also providing the system’s owners — Chicago’s residents — with ample opportunity to push for bigger and better things in years to come.
— Jim Merrell, managing director of advocacy, Active Transportation Alliance, Chicago
Reduce single-use plastics
Michael Hawthorne’s Sept. 27 article on plastic pollution in the Great Lakes (“The overwhelming problem of plastic”) highlights the ingenuity and determination of people working to confront this crisis. If there is one lesson that rises above the rest, it’s that we cannot solve this problem without reducing single-use plastic at the source.
One of the clearest places to start is phasing out expanded polystyrene, or plastic foam. This problematic plastic is used for takeout containers and coffee cups. It breaks up easily; frequently ends up in lakes, rivers and oceans; and is virtually unrecyclable.
Illinois lawmakers are already considering one practical solution: a statewide ban on polystyrene foam food containers. Congress should follow suit.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin deserves credit for working to protect the Great Lakes by co-sponsoring the Farewell to Foam Act and leading the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, two bills that would help reduce plastic pollution before it reaches our waterways.
As Hawthorne’s reporting makes clear, the best way to tackle plastic pollution is to stop producing so much of it in the first place.
— Christy Leavitt, senior campaign director, Oceana
Bad sound system at stadium
Good for Brittany Williams for speaking out about Northwestern University neglecting the band on opening night on Friday (“Let the Northwestern band play the pregame show,”
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Oct. 6). I would have liked to see the band as well.Unfortunately, as wonderful as the experience was attending the opening of that brand-new stadium, the sound system was awful. I have faith it will be corrected. I could not understand the stadium announcer or even hear the band clearly. Very echo-y and almost muffled.
Other than that, what a fabulous evening and a win. An amazing venue.
Go Cats!
— Kathleen Janessa, Skokie
Don’t sacrifice NU traditions
Thank you to Brittany Williams for the op-ed about the Northwestern University marching band’s absence from the on-field pregame festivities. I guess, given the time restrictions the network placed on the pregame activities, it might be understood. However, maybe start those activities 30 minutes earlier to allow for this tradition to continue.
The bigger question remains: Why has the new stadium management turned a deaf ear to the alumni, fans and supporters who value all of the package of entertainment and not just the football game? My fear is that the big-money expenditure has to be paid for somehow, and maybe it’s to the exclusion of all we have held dear in our NU traditions, including our band!
Just look at the commercialization within the New Ryan Field, and you’ll find an answer.
— Michael Denesha, Wilmette
Bravo to architecture critic
Thanks to columnist Edward Keegan for calling for an end to the walling off of Dearborn Park (“It’s time to tear down Dearborn Park’s walls,” Oct. 4). Weaving communities back together by reconnecting streets promotes walking and access to shops and amenities.
To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, “Mayor Johnson, tear down that wall!”
— Doug Farr, Farr Associates, Chicago
Columnist’s dreamy views
Edward Keegan’s column promoting the tearing down of the walls of Dearborn Park in order to “integrate” the area into the fabric of the city would be right on if the city was safe.
Keegan should not impose his dreamy views on residents who prefer safety over appearances.
— Lawrence Ashe, Chicago
Not really ‘going rogue’
As we hear more and more stories about artificial intelligence agents hacking into more companies as well as government databases in the U.S. and Australia, I think we need to stop referring to this behavior as “going rogue.” It seems to absolve the makers of responsibility for putting into the stream of commerce a product that has repeatedly done this very same thing.
If AI keeps doing this and its makers don’t stop it, it is not “going rogue.” It’s behaving exactly as its creators have come to expect it to.
— Linda Falcao, Baltimore
Late archbishop’s message
Last month, the Catholic Church beatified Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. For those unaware, beatification is the next step in the process of sainthood that gives Sheen the title “blessed” and allows for limited veneration. Many Catholics view Sheen as a hero and have been waiting for this day for a long time.
Sheen was known for preaching on the radio before transitioning to television. He reached millions across the country and converted people to the faith. Watch any clip or full episode on social media, and you’ll see that his messages still resonate today. He discussed addiction, suffering, the evils of communism and the meaning of life. He has generational appeal as well: My grandfather told me that his grandparents loved watching him, and a written collection of his shows that I read changed my life.
His message that life is worth living is extremely timely. We could use that message in our life, no matter our age.
— Brett Heinisch, Columbus, Indiana
Conundrum for the pope
Perhaps a Jesuit, or even a Talmudic scholar, could answer this: Who does the pope from the South Side root for if, in the World Series, the White Sox play the Padres?
— Jim Vespe, Mamaroneck, New York
Note to readers
With Halloween coming, we’d like you to share your most memorable experience related to the holiday, either as a child or as an adult. A costume that you’ve never forgotten? A trip to a haunted house that scared you silly? Neighbors who went above and beyond to make things fun for the kids? Send a letter, of no more than 400 words, by Friday, Oct. 23 to [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and your city/town.
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