Blog

Keep up with the latest news on Active Trans and topics that we care about in the region.

Community spirit pushes the Great Western Trail forward

Jan 8, 2024 | by Maya Norris

The Great Western Trail, a 30-mile path tracing the legacy of the Chicago Great Western Railway, stands as a testament to advocacy and perseverance.

Broken into two segments due to geographical hurdles, this trail is a labor of love, continuously championed by the Friends of the Great Western Trail.

The newer of the two sections is 12.7 miles and runs between Villa Park and West Chicago in DuPage County,.

The older,

Mayor Johnson should make 2024 the Year of the Bus 

Jan 3, 2024 | by Julia Gerasimenko

At the Active Transportation Alliance, we often hear from Chicago transit riders who are fed up with buses that are unreliable and often delayed.

Indeed, it’s a major barrier that keeps many people from using buses. Slow buses that are undependable ensure that people will find other ways of getting around the city.

Thankfully, we know how to fix this problem — and the solution is very do-able.

Countless examples in other cities have shown that bus priority infrastructure is the most cost-effective intervention when it comes to improving the experience for riders and operators.

Our top ten walking, biking, and transit stories of 2023

Dec 21, 2023 | by Ted Villaire

2023 was a year of unprecedented progress for our movement.

Dozens of major infrastructure projects across the region created safe places for people to walk and bike where they did not exist before. There are more concrete protected bike lanes, pedestrian bump outs and islands, and smooth trail connections.

Illinois and Chicago passed bold new laws that put us on the path towards a more sustainable and equitable transportation system.

Why does it matter?

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Illinois Prairie Path continues to grow and improve

Dec 15, 2023 | by Maya Norris

Since its inception in the 1960s, Illinois Prairie Path has woven itself through DuPage, Kane, and Cook Counties. As one of the nation’s pioneering rail trail projects, this 61-mile trail network offers plenty for Chicagoland residents to be proud of.

From the beginning and continuing on to this day, advocacy and collaboration have been crucial to the success of this trail that serves as the centerpiece for Chicagoland rail trails.

In 1963,

Want to learn how to become a better advocate for sustainable transportation?

Dec 13, 2023 | by Maggie Melin Czerwinski

Want to get more involved in making our region a better place to walk, roll, bike, and take transit?  

If you’re interested in learning about tangible ways to make a positive difference in your community and across our region, become a Street Team Advocate!

Join one of our two-hour trainings this winter to build your advocacy skills and get up to speed on our two most pressing campaigns – Transit That Works and Safe Streets for All.  

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The community drive behind the East Branch DuPage River Trail

Dec 6, 2023 | by Maya Norris

In central DuPage County, a vision took root in the 1980s for a 28-mile regional trail meant to link communities and allow access to the natural environment west of I-355.

But progress on the trail was sluggish for many years.

Then trail development kicked into a higher gear when a group formed that was dedicated to completing the trail.

This north-south trail was originally conceptualized as an off-street non-motorized path for DuPage County residents west of I-355,

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Celebrating progress at the annual member party

Dec 1, 2023 | by Ted Villaire

The Active Transportation Alliance’s annual member party isn’t just a gathering; it’s a celebration of our community and our accomplishments, allowing us a moment to pause and renew our dedication to transforming Chicagoland into a hub for sustainable transportation.

This year’s event brought more than 100 individuals to the Revolution Brewing Taproom eager to laud the year’s victories, forge new connections, and honor the efforts of advocates and volunteers.

The volunteer awards showcased the outstanding contributions of people so generous with their time and energy.

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Protected bike lanes on the rise

Nov 30, 2023 | by Alex Perez

While Chicago still has a long way to go before it has a citywide, connected network of protected bike lakes (PBLs), it’s certainly making progress.

In the past year, Chicago streets have benefited from a surge in the number of protected bike lanes.

This not only boosts safety for everyone on the road, but also gets us closer to a future where biking becomes an inviting, stress-free experience for everyone, irrespective of age or ability.

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Fighting for a robust transit system, now and for decades to come 

Nov 13, 2023 | by Active Trans

Our region’s transit system is facing a pivotal moment. 

While ridership is on the rebound from pandemic lows, service is not meeting rider needs and the system is heading towards a significant fiscal cliff.

If you’re frustrated with transit service now, be warned that it will be far worse if this funding gap is not addressed. If we don’t intervene, our local transit systems will need to make drastic cuts that could be along the lines of:

  • Four out of eight CTA train lines.

Tired of waiting for a CTA train or bus? Take action for more service!

Nov 7, 2023 | by Julia Gerasimenko

We’ve long championed robust public transit as the backbone of urban sustainability and accessibility.

Unfortunately, recent trends in service by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) present a worrying picture, not just for transit advocates but for every resident relying on public transportation.

A concerning chart below from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) illustrates a stark reality: Overall transit service levels have been on the decline even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

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