Keep up with the latest news on Active Trans and topics that we care about in the region.
On a warm August morning, Active Trans staff rode the Irving Park Bus with 45th Ward Alderman James Gardiner west from the Six Corners intersection to the Irving Park Blue Line and back. The goal was to get a sense of the daily experience of those 17,000 bus riders on this route.
The 45th Ward received a “C” letter grade on our Bus Friendly Streets Report Card for speed and reliability.
Tags: Advocacy, Chicago North Side, transit
To bring attention to the sluggishness of traveling by bus on Chicago’s streets, Active Trans is inviting aldermen on bus rides in their wards. Because, what better way to show elected officials the problems with Chicago bus service than getting them on a bus?
That’s what we did with 1st Ward Ald. Daniel LaSpata.
While we were thrilled to spend some time with this newly elected alderman, he didn’t need convincing that the city is desperately in need of faster,
Tags: Advocacy, Chicago North Side, transit
Update [8/21/19]: Please note the venue for the August 22nd public meeting has been changed to Lincoln Park High School.
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has proposed creating a neighborhood greenway on Dickens Avenue.
This Thursday, August 22, is your chance to let CDOT and 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith know that the ward needs this project and more like it.
While some residents have expressed their interest in this project,
Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, Chicago North Side, Walking
Partnering with neighborhood organizations and residents to create better access to the Chicago River and safe connections between trails is a major focus of our Chicago River Trail campaign.
Whether it’s adding a trail along the river, building safe on-street connections, or even a floating a trail, there are many viable ways a continuous Chicago River Trail could be built.
Recently, we joined the North River Commission and supporters on Chicago’s Northwest Side on a walk to explore a potential on-street connection between trails at River Park (pictured) and the south end of the North Branch Trail extension in Gompers Park.
It probably comes as no surprise that bicycling plays a huge role in Stan Day’s life. As the co-founder and chairman of SRAM, the second-largest maker of bicycle components in the world, Day is passionate about bicycling and how it can transform people’s lives and create healthy, thriving communities.
That’s why the bicycling advocate and SRAM have been a longtime supporters of Active Transportation Alliance, joining forces with the organization to help get more people on bikes and improve conditions for bicycling throughout Chicago — an investment that has reaped rewards for cyclists in the city.
Tags: Bicycling
An important part of our campaign for a continuous Chicago River Trail is understanding the nature of land along the river. Getting a sense of the riverbank and adjacent developments help us see how access to the river and connections to a future trail might be created.
To get a better sense of the river edge from Belmont to Diversey, we recently partnered with Friends of the Chicago River on a canoe paddle to experience this area in person.
Tags: Advocacy, biking, chicago north, Chicago River Trail, Walking
Because the Chicago River has emerged as one of the city’s premier destinations, it’s important we improve walking and biking along the river so that all Chicagoans can safely enjoy it.
That’s exactly what’s happening in our project to identify and push for walking and biking upgrades along the Riverwalk and Upper Wacker Dr. on the Main Branch of the Chicago River.
The study area starts at the intersection of the Riverwalk and the Lakefront Trail,
The Chicago River Trail coalition is making sure local partners shape plans for better walking, biking and access to transit along the South Branch.
Active Trans’ campaign for a continuous river trail relies on the expertise of local partners to determine the location of trails and safe access points for people walking and biking.
During a recent gathering at the Eleanor Street Boathouse (pictured) in Bridgeport,
Tags: Advocacy, biking, Chicago River Trail, south branch, Walking
Update: July 12, 2019: The Illinois Tollway announced that it’s ending the environmental impact study of a Route 53 extension, effectively dropping the project for the fourth time since it was identified in a regional transportation plan in 1962.
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In a major victory for walking, biking, and transit, the Lake County Board unanimously removed language supporting the Route 53 highway extension from its strategic plan.
We’re pleased the Lake County Board will now focus on developing a “modern,
Tags: biking, Lake County, public transit, Walking
After nearly nine years leading Active Trans, Ron Burke recently decided to step down.
As he moves on to his new position at Lyft, we decided to ask for his take on what’s been happening at Active Trans during the past decade.
Here are his thoughts about various topics, like the organization’s recent accomplishments and what’s in the cards for Active Trans’ future.
Active Trans: What accomplishments are you most proud of during your tenure as executive director of Active Trans?
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