Author Archives: 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?

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.

On Wednesday, May 17, people gathered for an annual bicycle ride to honor those who were injured or killed while biking or walking in the past year.

About 100 people participated in the Ride of Silence in Chicago, and throughout Illinois, there were about 40 different Ride of Silence events.

The event calls attention to the right of people to bike and walk on public roadways and the urgent need for infrastructure that will make these transportation options safer and more welcoming for people of all ages and abilities.

A bill that would give local communities the ability to build intersections that are safer for people walking and biking passed out of the Illinois Senate and House and now heads to the governor’s desk. The bill was approved by the Illinois House by a vote of 87-25 on May 11.

Thank you to everyone who responded to our action alerts to advance SB 2278!

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

Our recent Movers and Shakers Ball was a wonderful evening filled with good food, great company, lively music, and most importantly, a shared passion for active transportation.

We were delighted to see so many of our members, supporters, and partners come together to celebrate the progress we have made over the past year and renew our commitment to promoting walking, biking, and public transportation in the Chicago area.

The highlight of the evening was hearing from the awardees about all the exciting work they are doing.

Kudos to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for recent initiatives that take a step toward making our streets safer for people walking and biking.

In an effort to identify locations that may be unsafe for people walking and biking, the agency has created an interactive map that allows people to flag dangerous spots and add notes.

We’re hoping that this interactive map, called the Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment,