Author Archives: Active Trans

Small group rides offered this summer

| Apr 30, 2018

Do you love scenic bike rides but wish you could stop to learn more about the hidden gems Chicagoland has to offer?

New for summer 2018, Active Trans brings you Pedal Chicagoland, our small group ride series!

We will take you through some of Chicagoland’s most treasured spots via bike at a casual, no-drop pace.

These one-of-a-kind experiences are open to cyclists of all skill levels. Check out the available group rides below:

Visit some of Chicago’s most interesting and spectacular water fountains

Date: Sunday August 5,

Bike Walk Education in Schools Act

| Apr 23, 2018

Illinois crash data shows nearly five children are hit by people driving every day in Illinois while walking or biking within one block of a school.

Yet Illinois’ School Code requires automobile safety education, but there isn’t a requirement that education includes instruction on how to bike and walk safely. Active Trans is working with our allies across the state to change that.

The Bike Walk Education in Schools Act (HB4799) requires school boards statewide to adopt policies for educating K-8 students about biking and walking safety,

Bike safety bills move forward in Springfield

| Apr 10, 2018

Two bills that would strengthen education and awareness of the growing number of people bicycling in Illinois passed out of committee in Springfield on Tuesday.

One bill would add the Dutch Reach method to Illinois’ Rules of the Road manual and add bike safety questions to the state driver’s license exam.

The Dutch Reach method encourages drivers and passengers to use their far hand and reach across their body to open car doors after parallel parking,

Bike safety bill to reform Illinois’ road manual and driver’s license exam moves forward

| Apr 10, 2018

 

For immediate release

 

April 10, 2018

 

Media Contact:

Kyle Whitehead

Active Transportation Alliance

Government Relations Director

O: (312) 216-0473

kyle@activetrans.org

 

 

Bike safety bill to reform Illinois’ road manual and driver’s license exam moves forward
Legislation promotes the Dutch Reach method of opening car doors to prevent dooring crashes

Springfield,

Trail Connect Chicagoland kicks off

| Apr 4, 2018

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Active Transportation Alliance is undertaking a new, broad-reaching advocacy campaign called Trail Connect Chicagoland to mobilize our members and supporters around our vision for a seamlessly connected regional trail network.

As one of the first steps in this new campaign, Active Trans recently convened grassroots advocates, allied organizations, local bike clubs, as well as federal, state and local government agencies to kick off a new regional coalition focused on trail advocacy.

Local advocates visit Capitol Hill

| Apr 4, 2018

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Active Trans Advocacy Manager Maggie Melin recaps her experience at the 2018 National Bike Summit.

The National Bike Summit, hosted by the League of American Bicyclists in Washington DC, is an annual gathering of bicycle advocates from across the country. For this year's event held in March, the contingent from Illinois included myself and six other advocates from Illinois representing Ride Illinois, Women Bike Chicago, and other groups from the city,

Lake Calumet champion Tom Shepherd

| Apr 3, 2018

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As a part of our work to improve biking and walking conditions in the Lake Calumet region, we are profiling leaders in the community who have been doing this work for many years. One such leader is Tom Shepherd, serving as president of the Pullman Civic Organization for three terms and president of the Southeast Environmental Task Force for five terms.

Why should we look to Tom to learn more about how to advocate for environmental remediation and improvements?

Coalition calls for dedicated lane for transit on NLSD

| Apr 2, 2018

Last week 10 civic and business organizations signed a letter to the city and state calling for dedicated transit lanes on North Lake Shore Drive.

As outlined in the letter, dedicated lanes would boost bus speed and reliability and get more people riding transit.

Bus riders already account for more than 20 percent of users on Lake Shore Drive every day while taking up a fraction of the space that cars do.

Apply to bring Bike Week to your community!

| Mar 29, 2018

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Active Trans is offering mini-grants to support community-based events during Chicago Bike Week (June 21 – 29, 2018).

This funding opportunity will award 3 – 6 grants of $500 – $1,000 dollars each.

Applicants are encouraged to be creative since there are no limitations on the types of events that may be supported (i.e. community bike rides, educational workshops, bike repair demos). 

Competitive applications will focus on promoting biking and integrating local advocacy priorities,

April events on the Lakefront Trail

| Mar 28, 2018

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The Active Transportation Alliance compiles a list of events happening each month along the Lakefront Trail. See what's going on in the month of April so you can better plan your walking, biking or running route. As we inch towards spring, the trail will be busy 

For regular updates about the Lakefront Trail, follow our Lakefront Trail Twitter page and the #chiLFT hashtag.

NOTE: For updates on the Lakefront Trail separation construction,