Author Archives: Active Trans

Belmont Cragin youth urge CTA board to upgrade bus service  

| Feb 16, 2021

Two community youth leaders pressed the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) board at the February meeting on service and cleanliness issues, earning commitments from CTA leadership that they would work to address their concerns.

Minerva Garcia and Yalinette Rivera are youth organizers from the Belmont Cragin Youth Leadership Council, a part of the Northwest Side Housing Center. Both Minerva and Yalinette testified at CTA’s February board meeting.

Minerva is a junior at Northside College Prep and Yalinette is a junior at Lincoln Park High School.

Chicago celebrates Transit Equity Day with Reps. Garcia and Kelly

| Feb 11, 2021

Hundreds of advocates and community leaders joined Congressman Chuy Garcia and Congresswoman Robin Kelly in Chicago’s first celebration of National Transit Equity Day on February 4. 

Transit Equity Day serves as a national day of action that commemorates the birthday of Rosa Parks while reminding us that public transit is a civil right. It was started four years ago by a network of transit rider unions, community organizations, environmental advocates, and labor unions.

Bicycle Film Festival comes to Chicago on Feb. 24

| Feb 1, 2021

The Bicycle Film festival has been celebrating bicycles through art, film, and music since 2001.

This year, when the festival makes its virtual stop in Chicago February 24 – March 7, Active Trans will serve as the host.

The film festival appeals to a wide audience, from film connoisseurs to avid cyclists and everyone in between.

A portion of proceeds will go towards Active Trans to help further our mission of creating better walking,

Food access survey results show discomfort, lack of access

| Dec 11, 2020

In preparation for an upcoming virtual town hall on the topic of food access and public transit on December 15, we conducted a survey.

The goal was to gain insight into topics like whether public transit has helped or hurt peoples’ food security and whether people have to take transit to other neighborhoods to get fresh food.

Here are some of the results of the survey: 

  • On a scale of “very comfortable”

Virtual exercise demos help bicyclists stay active and prevent injuries during COVID

| Dec 11, 2020

Like so many other clubs last spring, the Bike Palatine Club canceled its rides and events, prematurely ending a packed schedule for the cycling season. Then an offer came in from Rush Physical Therapy in Palatine: a series of free virtual demos for the biking community to keep cyclists fit and to avoid injury.

What seemed like a long shot in June became a collaborative success. Riders from 10 bike clubs participated in one or more of the three 40-minute fitness demos.

Town hall discussion on food access and transit on Dec. 15

| Dec 4, 2020

COVID-19 has added to the challenges many people face in their day-to-day lives. A lack of access to food is one of those problems that has grown for many people because the of pandemic.

On Tuesday, December 15, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., we will be exploring this topic through an online discussion with local elected officials and community leaders. We also will be sharing results of our recent food access and public transportation survey.

Virtual town hall: Advancing walking and biking projects during COVID-19

| Nov 6, 2020

Join Active Transportation Alliance on Wednesday, November 11, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., for a virtual town hall with State Representative Theresa Mah (2nd District) and Alderman Andre Vasquez (40th Ward).

You can register for the free event today.

Rep. Mah and Ald. Vasquez will discuss how they have been working with residents in their districts to advance walking and biking projects during COVID-19. Also joining the conversation will be leaders from local community groups who are addressing these issues.

National Lawyers Guild of Chicago speaks out against transit shutdowns

| Nov 3, 2020

On Monday the National Lawyers Guild of Chicago, a local coalition of attorneys for civil and human rights, signed our petition urging Chicago officials to keep transit running during post-election protests and future periods of unrest.

The organization shared the following statement after voting to endorse the petition.

_________________________

Executive action to shut down public transportation, often without advance notice, endangers the safety, health and livelihood of Chicagoans.

Take our survey on food access and transportation

| Nov 2, 2020

In the era of COVID-19, social justice is more important than ever.

Yet, during the pandemic, some social justice issues that were once a priority have been sidelined or, in some cases, have gotten lost in the cracks.

The Active Transportation Alliance is picking up one of those subjects that seems to have gotten lost in the cracks: food insecurity and it’s relation to public transit. 

Active Trans will be working with local food pantries to explore this issue.

Pop-up bus lanes coming to Chicago Ave and 79th St. 

| Sep 21, 2020

The Chicago Department of Transportation and the Chicago Transit Authority are rolling out a new pilot that will implement “pop up essential bus lanes” on two major corridors along two of the highest ridership bus routes in Chicago. 

One will be on 79th Street between Cicero and Western, a total of three miles, and the other on Chicago Avenue between Laramie and Ashland, a total of 4.6 miles. The right hand travel lane will be converted into a bus only lane using tape and signage.