Author Archives: Ted Villaire

Take action now for intersections designed for people, not trucks

New legislation now being considered by the Illinois Senate would give local communities the ability to build intersections that are safer for people walking and biking.

Now is your opportunity to let state lawmakers know that we have too many dangerous oversized intersections that often act as a barrier — and a danger — for people getting around without a car.

Currently, local communities are required to build intersections that will accommodate the turning of a 65-foot truck,

Bold solutions needed from state to address serious transit problems

At a recent hearing held by the Illinois Senate, the Active Transportation Alliance and other advocates urged lawmakers to step up with needed support for a host of transit problems, including a looming funding cliff and the need for better governance for the transit agencies.

“The impending transit funding cliff forces us to ask hard questions about the structure of our future transit system,” said Audrey Wennink, senior director of transportation at Metropolitan Planning Council,

Advocates urge the state of Illinois to enhance support for public transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ted Villaire
Active Transportation Alliance
(312) 563-1118
ted@activetrans.org

 

Press conference alert

State legislators are holding a Joint Transportation and Public Safety/Infrastructure Appropriations Subject Matter Committee Hearing on Tues., March 14 at 11 a.m. at the Bilandic building, 160 N. La Salle St., Chicago. Hearing will focus on the successes and challenges of public transit in the RTA service area as it relates to funding,

Progress made in Springfield for safer streets

This week state lawmakers considered several important bills that would make streets safer for people walking and biking.

Thanks to quick responses from supporters like you, we made progress with moving some of the bills forward.

A special thanks to Metropolitan Planning Council, Ride Illinois, and Chicago, Bike Grid Now!

Here are the bills and where they currently stand.

 

LOWERING DEFAULT SPEED LIMIT IN ILLINOIS URBAN AREAS

The committee asked for amendments to be made to HB 3530,

Take action for safer streets and faster buses

Want to see speedier buses in Chicago and streets that are safer for people walking and biking?

Now is your chance to get involved!

A couple of ordinances up for a vote in Chicago City Council on Wednesday, March 15 would expand the infrastructure for people walking and biking and would help address the long-standing problem of drivers blocking bus lanes and bike lanes.

These are the ordinances up for city council vote:

  • Complete Streets Ordinance: When the department of transportation is resurfacing arterial streets,

Top stories in sustainable transportation from the past year

One fact weighs heavily on the mind while recounting the past year of walking, biking, and transit in Chicagoland.

The lack of safe infrastructure for all road users resulted in the tragic loss of life in 2022. This summer alone, motorists struck and killed at least seven Chicagoland children on foot, scooters, and bikes.

After two young children were killed by drivers on Chicago’s North Side over the summer, more than 300 people took to the streets.

Shining a light on outstanding volunteers and advocates

Active Transportation Alliance members recently met to reflect on accomplishments in 2022, discuss what lies ahead, and elect a handful of people to the organization’s board of directors.

The event, attended by 175 people, also provided an opportunity to recognize the outstanding advocates and volunteers in our midst.

For our advocacy awards, we honored four different grassroots groups that are mobilizing people across the city. These groups are actively making our movement stronger with their effective organizing and smart campaigning as we look to 2023.

Day of the Dead altar honors those killed while walking or biking

Inspired by the ghost bikes that honor those who were killed while biking on our streets, local artist Norma Rio-Sierra created a Day of the Dead altar dedicated to people who were killed while walking or biking.

“It’s about creating a healing space and creating awareness of what happens when it’s not safe to walk and bike,” said Rio-Sierra. “It’s about celebrating those lives and remembering the people…I want to make it safer for our families to walk.

May 18: Let’s mourn lives lost and demand safer options for people biking

On Wednesday, May 18, you’re invited to join others around the world on an annual bicycle ride to honor the people killed while biking in the past year.

In addition to honoring those people killed by drivers, the ride highlights the urgent need for infrastructure that will make biking in Chicago safer and more welcoming for people of all ages and abilities.

“We need to remember that this tragic loss of life is unnecessary and completely avoidable,” said Chicago Ride of Silence organizer Elizabeth Adamczyk.

On May 18, Chicago Ride of Silence will mourn the lives lost while biking during the past year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Elizabeth Adamczyk
Chicago Organizer
elizabeth@rideofsilence.org
rideofsilence.org/chicago
(773) 370-2038

Kyle Whitehead
Active Transportation Alliance
(312) 216-0473
kyle@activetrans.org

 

On May 18, Chicago Ride of Silence will mourn the lives lost while biking during the past year
The annual ride will offer a moment silent reflection at the sites where drivers killed people biking near the Loop

Chicago,