Pedal Power Comes to the Northwest Side: New Bike Lanes & Greenways Proposed for Portage Park Streets

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Portage Park · June 21, 2026

Portage Park neighbors who love getting around on two wheels have reason to celebrate this summer. The City of Chicago Department of Transportation has proposed a new network of bike lanes and neighborhood greenways for several side and arterial streets spanning the Jefferson Park and Portage Park communities — a move that could make cycling safer and more accessible for residents of all ages.

The proposed routes would cover an area primarily bounded by Laramie Avenue on the east, Gunnison Street on the north, Nagle/Narragansett Avenue on the west, and Addison Street on the south, with new lanes in the 30th, 38th, and 45th wards. In some stretches, the new infrastructure would connect directly to existing bike lanes, creating a more seamless and continuous cycling corridor across the Northwest Side. According to the city's Department of Transportation, the network is designed to make bike travel safer for families and improve accessibility to local destinations — think parks, schools, shops along Milwaukee Avenue, and everything in between.

And if you're looking for a reason to celebrate the season closer to home, La Dolce Vita Cucina is throwing open the doors to its brand-new back patio — a fresh al fresco gathering spot right here in the neighborhood. Whether you're a daily cyclist or just starting to explore Portage Park on two wheels, the future of the Northwest Side is looking greener (and faster) than ever. Drop your thoughts on the proposed bike routes in the Socialhood community — your voice helps shape the neighborhood!

Sources:
1. https://nadignewspapers.com/new-bike-lanes-greenways-proposed-for-jefferson-park-portage-park-on-chicagos-nw-side/
2. https://www.portageparkchamber.org/events-calendar