2024 has been a landmark year for advocates of sustainable mobility in our region. In Chicago, we’ve witnessed more people biking while also seeing a notable decrease in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities and injuries. Additionally, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has successfully restored its service to pre-pandemic levels. Other initiatives, while still in progress, are gaining momentum. The ongoing efforts […]

Our local transit system has some work to do when it comes to being laser-focused on the needs of riders. Fortunately, there’s an abundance of great examples around the world of successful regional transit systems. I recently participated in a trip to Germany to learn more about the transit systems in Munich and Berlin with the goal of bringing back […]

This fall, Chicago’s Greyhound station was on the brink of closure. Thankfully, the threat of the bus terminal shutting its doors ended with a temporary reprieve that will keep the downtown terminal operating longer. However, the ultimate long-term future of an enclosed intercity bus terminal in Chicago remains uncertain. Across the Midwest, people rely on intercity buses as an affordable […]

This January, from the comfort of your own home, you’re invited to join a free, online map-a-thon training to learn how to virtually map the conditions of your local sidewalks and bikeways. During the training, you’ll learn how to evaluate sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, and bikeways to help ensure your community is safer and more accessible for everyone. The training […]

The Active Transportation Alliance’s recent annual member party was abuzz with excitement as participants celebrated the organization’s successes of the past year and shared plans for the coming months. The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion focusing on the work of local partners involved in sustainable transportation advocacy. Panelists shared information about how they became involved in the […]

W. Robert Schultz III has been a powerful force for activism in Illinois for decades. His efforts have championed critical causes, including marriage equality, the abolition of the death penalty, and the protection of immigrant rights, and his work has not gone unnoticed. And for the past 6 years, as a campaign organizer for the Active Transportation Alliance, he’s been […]

Each year in May, Chicagoland celebrates Bike Month with exciting bike-related activities like community rides, educational workshops, and repair clinics. While the Active Transportation Alliance plays a role in organizing some of these events, most are led by passionate grassroots groups and local municipalities. These organizations are the true champions of local biking culture, quietly making a big impact by […]

The fight for safer streets took a step forward recently when the proposed ordinance to reduce Chicago’s default speed limit successfully advanced through the Chicago City Council’s Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. This significant milestone means that the proposal will now go to a full city council vote. As this legislation proceeds to city council, we want to emphasize […]

This fall and winter, cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate and make a difference in your community! The Active Transportation Alliance is teaming up with University of Illinois-Chicago’s (UIC’s) Project Sidewalk team to offer stipends for up to 10 volunteer groups and individuals committed to virtually mapping the conditions of their local sidewalks and bikeways. From the comforts […]

Illinois voters have expressed a clear preference for unifying the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Metra, and Pace into a single agency. A recent poll reveals that this initiative is favored by a 2-to-1 margin statewide, with even stronger backing in the Chicago area. The proposed legislation, known as the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (MMA), aims to […]