Blog

City must act now to fix dangerous streets for people walking and biking

Jun 14, 2022 | by Active Trans

Over the weekend, more than 300 people took to the streets to honor two young children recently killed by drivers on Chicago’s North Side.

The memorial event — held for Raphael “Rafi” Cardenas and Elizabeth “Lily” Grace Shambrook — was attended by people who were demanding that the city take action to make our streets safe places to walk and bike.

These recent tragedies, combined with the increasing number of people getting killed by drivers while walking and biking in Chicago,

Illinois must seize opportunity to move beyond car-centric transportation system

Jun 8, 2022 | by Kyle Whitehead

Thanks to an unprecedented level of federal and state transportation funding, Illinois’ next governor and general assembly will have the ability to transform streets and trails in communities across the state. 

If they are willing to confront the failing status quo, the next governor and general assembly will have the opportunity to re-orient the state’s transportation system around safety, sustainability, and racial equity. 

Active Transportation Alliance’s 2022 Illinois Sustainable Transportation Platform provides a roadmap for state leaders to dramatically improve mobility over the next five years.

See where candidates for secretary of state stand

Jun 3, 2022 | by Kyle Whitehead

With early voting underway in Illinois’ primary elections and Election Day approaching, the Active Transportation Alliance has released its 2022 Sustainable Transportation Voter Guide for the race to be secretary of state.

Six candidates — four Democrats and two Republicans — are vying for the opportunity to replace outgoing Secretary of State Jesse White, who is retiring after 23 years in office.

The secretary oversees Illinois’ Rules of the Road,

A successful campaign to replace a dangerous bridge in Lake Bluff

May 24, 2022 | by Maya Norris

State Sen. Julie Morrison and Lake Bluff scored a major win in their quest to improve walking and bicycling safety and connectivity in the village.

The senator for the 29th District and village officials successfully pushed for the upcoming Illinois budget to include $1.25 million for a new pedestrian bridge between North Chicago and Lake Bluff on Green Bay Road (Illinois route 131).

Morrison led the funding effort after local residents in this north suburban community voiced their concerns about the existing bridge’s lack of safety.

Chicago needs a protected and connected bike network now

May 17, 2022 | by Alex Perez

We’re pleased to see that Chicago’s new Climate Action Plan features ambitious goals to reduce driving and get more people walking and biking by redesigning the city’s most dangerous streets.

Now we need to make sure city officials follow through with this plan by investing available federal, state, and local transportation funds into building a protected and connected bike network throughout the city.

People who bike deserve to be protected from dangerous car traffic no matter where they begin or end their trip. 

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

May 13, 2022 | by Ted Villaire

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.

Active Trans recognizes local transportation champions

May 4, 2022 | by Ted Villaire

The recent 2022 Active Trans Awards Reception provided an opportunity for advocates and supporters to celebrate the work of Active Trans and reconnect with one another.

The focus of the evening, however, was to recognize the local people who are putting us on a better path for getting around.

These champions of sustainable transportation deserve our appreciation and support for making walking, biking, and riding transit easier, safer, and more equitable.

Chicago needs to get on board with dedicated bus lanes 

May 4, 2022 | by Active Trans

As the city of Chicago develops a plan for improving its bus service, let’s ensure they’re laying groundwork for what we desperately need: fast and reliable bus service

How often have you had this maddening experience?

You’re on a Chicago bus and running late for an appointment. Thanks to heavy traffic, the bus is creeping along from one backed up traffic light to the next.

Advocates call for removing road expansion projects from regional plan

Apr 29, 2022 | by Kyle Whitehead

A coalition of advocacy organizations is urging regional transportation officials to abandon plans to expand expressways and arterial streets given the proven harm these projects have on quality of life in communities across the Chicago region.

Active Trans joined nine other groups in a letter to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) transportation committee. The agency is currently updating its list of regionally signficant projects that are eligible for federal funding.

Help build a transportation platform for Illinois’ gubernatorial election

Apr 14, 2022 | by Kyle Whitehead

Active Transportation Alliance is planning a campaign to educate candidates and voters about key transportation issues facing the state and we need your help. 

Take our brief survey to share your input and ideas on our 2022 Sustainable Transportation Platform for Illinois. 

Illinois’ primary election for governor is on June 28 and the general election is set for November 8.

With transportation now the leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions statewide primarily from fossil-fuel powered cars and trucks,