Recent bike tragedies, including one that killed a 3-year-old last week, have shined a new light on local bike safety.

Why it matters: Many Chicagoans have conflicting ideas on bike infrastructure rules, which is confusion that could cost more lives.

• For example, a ComEd truck was reportedly blocking a bike lane at the scene of last week's crash.
• The company said it had a permit to work in the area, but Chicago Department of Transportation officials responded by saying permits that allow vehicles to block bike lanes don't exist.

By the numbers: The most recent local analysis from Chicago's Active Transportation Alliance shows 2,816 annual bike crashes, 2,635 injuries and 13 deaths, but that's using 2016 data.

• Nationally, early estimates of bike crashes in 2021 show a 5% increase from 2020, according to the Department of Transportation.
• A 2022 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report shows that compared to 2011, cyclist fatalities in 2020 increased 38%, from 682 to 938.

What they're saying: "The most common cause of a crash where the bicyclist is at fault is when [cyclists] ride the wrong way against traffic," David Simmons, executive director of Ride Illinois, said on WBEZ's "Reset."

• And when the driver is at fault, it's generally "when a motorist misjudges a cyclist's speed and speeds up to make a right turn and causes a crash at an intersection."

Go deeper for laws, rules and tips.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker quietly signed a bill last week banning single-use plastic in hundreds of state parks and natural areas.

Why it matters: Most single-use plastic is neither biodegradable nor recyclable. When offered in state parks, it often creates piles of trash in places that are supposed to be protected.

How it works: Starting in 2023, the state has to offer either compostable or recyclable foodware in state parks and natural areas.

• The rule will extend to vendors with contracts at state parks, like concession stands, that renew on or after Jan. 1, 2024.

What they're saying: "It's simple: Eliminating plastic use at our parks is a small step we can take to make a big difference," bill sponsor state Sen. Julie Morrison tells Axios.

• "By implementing more biodegradable and reusable alternatives to plastic, we can put our communities on a path toward sustainability."

What's next: Environmental advocates will be pushing for more.

• "While there are miles more to go when it comes to reducing the demand, production and distribution of single-use plastics, this is an important step in the right direction," Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, tells Axios.
• "We hope to help other state agencies find ways to play a bigger role in the reduction of plastic pollution in our state."

🌃 Chicago officials say tourism jumped 86% from 2020 to 2021. They also announced a new tourism slogan. (Sun-Times)

🏭 Lakefront erosion and changing climate patterns are putting our area at risk for toxic flooding at nuclear, coal and EPA cleanup sites. (Sun-Times)

🏈 The Bears wrap up minicamp today. Defensive star Robert Quinn skipped the mandatory practices, fueling speculation that he may not play in Chicago this season. (ESPN)

🔥 Hot and fresh local job listings.

1. Sr. Manager Media Relations at BlueCross BlueShield Association.
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👋 Hi, Justin here! I had a chance to see the new Second City mainstage revue, "Do the Right Thing, No Worries If Not."

• The new revue opened last week to great reviews.

Context: Second City has long been an economic engine for tourism. After a tumultuous 2020, it was sold in 2021 to a private-equity firm based in NYC.

• There's a reason Second City has been in business since 1959 — there is no better place in the world that can mix written comedy with improvisation.

Quick take: Directed by the great Jen Ellison, the new revue features a strong cast that will no doubt be entertaining us on streaming services for years to come.

• Notable sketches include a thespian using stage combat to fend off a robbery, a French cabaret earthworm crooning about the simple things in life, and a dinosaur gynecologist (dinocologist) having trouble with their hands.

💭 Justin's thought bubble: I saw my first Second City show when I was 15. On stage, a young Steve Carell made my eyes light up. So when I watched my (almost) 15-year-old's eyes go wide right before a huge belly laugh, it made me realize how important Second City has been for generations here.

• Second City has work to do to make its company inclusive and fair. But it doesn't have to work on being Chicago. It's been there all along.

Read the full story.

One of us just may have a birthday coming up this weekend, so we're fighting about great spots for cakes around here.

Monica's pick: Our half-Asian family gets most birthday treats from the Chinese Chiu Quon Bakery on Argyle Street or in Chinatown.

• I love their super-light sponge-cake layers filled with whipped cream and fruit.
• You can get it filled with the controversially stinky durian fruit for $60. But we usually go with the deliciously dependable mixed fruit for $35.

Justin's pick: Our family has an expert baker (hi, Julie!), but our go-to space for ordering cakes is Lincoln Park bakery Sweet Mandy B's. The North Side staple has offered cakes, cupcakes and other delicious sweets since 2002.

• Daily cake offerings include yellow cake with vanilla or chocolate buttercream (the best), plus devil's food cake with vanilla, chocolate or even Oreo buttercream.
• A six-inch, three-layer cake is $34.
• They move quickly, but ordering rules have changed since the pandemic.

📫 Reply with your favorite place to get birthday cakes!