Chicago-Based Equiticity Takes Mobility Justice Nationwide

A new grassroots group wants to make Chicago "a worldwide model on how to normalize, prioritize, and operationalize equity"—beginning in the sphere of mobility. For Streetsblog Chicago, John Greenfield explains the core tenant of the organization, called Equiticity:

"The consequences of historic segregation and disinvestment 'along with the stark lack of equity in the distribution of resources' have contributed to unsafe and inefficient conditions for walking, transit use, and biking in Black and Brown communities, [and] this represents a missed opportunity to improve health and economic outcomes and reduce violence."

Equiticity was founded by Oboi Reed, who previously co-founded Slow Roll Chicago to promote bicycling in low-income communities of color. Greenfield writes that the new organization represents "a declaration of independence" from the planners and advocates Slow Roll has worked with in the past, who Reed says "are still trying to figure out, ‘What is equity?'"

As its first project, Equiticity will partner with bike-share companies to establish bike "libraries" in two low-to-moderate-income African-American communities. The group also plans to advocate for mobility justice in communities across the United States.