Blog

Low-stress bikeways are the answer

Oct 21, 2024 | by Ted Villaire

When it comes to keeping people biking safe, some bike infrastructure works much better than others.

To understand peoples’ preferences, we asked some participants at our recent Bike the Drive event to let us know what bike infrastructure made them feel most safe.

We asked participants to examine a list of bike safety infrastructure improvements and vote for their favorite options (see photo below).

As you might expect, people overwhelmingly wanted protected bike lanes — physical separation from fast-moving vehicle traffic.

Chicago coalition backs effort to create safer streets with a lower speed limit

Oct 18, 2024 | by Active Trans

A coalition of 13 Chicago-based organizations has submitted a letter to Chicago City Council’s Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, urging support for legislation aimed at improving traffic safety in the city.

The resolutions will be considered at the committee meeting on Monday, October 21, 2024, and if approved, will quickly go for a vote in front of a full city council.

The coalition argues that these measures will save lives and enhance mobility by lowering speed limits,

Tell city council: A lower speed limit in Chicago will save lives

Oct 16, 2024 | by Ted Villaire

*Editorial Note (October 4, 2024):  After being introduced earlier this summer, the ordinance to lower the speed limit was delayed in advancing due to parliamentary procedures. However, thanks to your advocacy, it has now moved to the voting stage at the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. 

The committee must first approve the ordinance before it passes to the full city council for a final vote. We anticipate both votes will take place in the coming week. 

Every Street of Chicago

Oct 9, 2024 | by Active Trans

Having previously lived in Chicago for five years and now in Evanston for 13, I’ve ridden plenty in the city while commuting, running errands, or cruising down the lakefront.

But something special began brewing in early 2021 when I headed to the Back-of-the-Yards neighborhood to visit Sputnik, a coffee roaster whose beans I had recently bought in an Evanston store.

On that ride, I fell in love with exploring more of the city: riding the boulevards,

A safer Pulaski Road: Southwest Siders demand safety improvements

Sep 26, 2024 | by Miriam Eisinger

When was the last time you attempted to cross a busy road on foot? Picture heavy trucks rushing by, cars running red lights, and numerous vehicles speeding. Imagine trying to gauge how quickly you can run from one side to the other, crossing not just two or three, but perhaps four or even eight lanes.

Crossing a busy road in the Chicago region is a dangerous experience that too many people must contend with.

Voices united: Rallying for better transit on NDLSD

Aug 19, 2024 | by Ted Villaire

Community spirit and collective determination took center stage as many dozens of people gathered recently to demand that city officials take their foot off the gas with the plan to rebuild DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

The event brought together residents, advocates, and elected officials, all united in the belief that the current plans by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) for rebuilding NDLSD fall short of addressing the needs and desires of the community.

Coalition calls for halting NDLSD redesign project

Jul 22, 2024 | by Active Trans

A coalition of organizations issued a strong statement today opposing the current plans for rebuilding North DuSable Lake Shore Drive (NDLSD) as proposed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and its project team.

The coalition — comprised of organizations dedicated to sustainable transportation, regional planning, and environmental justice — emphasizes that the project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the lakefront and address critical challenges facing the city and region.

Chicago needs a safe cycling network

Jul 18, 2024 | by Active Trans

The Chicago Tribune recently reached out to readers, including the Active Transportation Alliance, to share their thoughts on the state of cycling in Chicago.

As an organization that has been working to improve conditions for cyclists, pedestrians, and transit users in the Chicagoland area for nearly 40 years, we had valuable insights to contribute to this important discussion.

Our advocacy manager, Alex Perez, took on the task of crafting a letter that encapsulated our organization’s perspective on the current state of cycling in Chicago.

Does your community need funding for walking and biking projects?

Jul 16, 2024 | by Maggie Melin Czerwinski

What would inspire you, your family, or friends to walk or bike more within your suburban or rural community?

Could the addition of protected bike lanes, multi-use paths, or improved sidewalk connections make a difference?

Next month, one of our state’s largest sources of funding for walking and biking infrastructure projects will become available.

Starting August 1, this key funding source — the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) — will be accepting grant applications for two months,

RTA Board should voice support for transit on Chicago’s lakefront

Jun 20, 2024 | by Active Trans

The reconstruction of North DuSable Lake Shore Drive (NDLSD) presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to have an impact on Chicago’s transportation landscape for better or worse.

As the NDLSD project team prepares to announce their preferred design, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board has a critical role to play in supporting high-quality transit solutions for this project.

For years, advocacy groups and residents have called for a forward-thinking approach that moves away from the highway-centric model and embraces dedicated space for public transit.