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on Active Trans and topics that
we care about in the region.

Victory! Active Trans campaign for state walking and biking fund wins $50 million per year

By Kyle Whitehead | June 3, 2019

For the first time ever, Illinois’ long-term capital program includes dedicated funding for walking and biking projects. Legislators passed a $33 billion, six-year transportation capital program in an extended session over the weekend. Gov. Pritzker has indicated he will sign the bill into law. The bill includes $50 million annually for walking and bicycling projects. Funds will be administered statewide […]

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Common sense approach needed for bikes on Riverwalk

By Jim Merrell | May 30, 2019

UPDATE (6/25/19): According to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), bicycling is allowed on the path when the Riverwalk is not congested. Reports indicate security guards are no longer asking people biking to dismount. Learn the latest on the issue and Active Trans’ advocacy efforts in the Chicago Reader.  — A lack of transparency and mixed messages has led to […]

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Salt District adds flavor to Chicago River Trail

By Steve Simmons | May 29, 2019

Walking, biking, and running along the Chicago River near Goose Island is about to become more attractive with the redevelopment of the Morton Salt facility on Elston Avenue. A well-known landmark on the North Side, Morton Salt has long occupied a 4.25-acre property located on the west bank of the Chicago River — running south from Blackhawk Street on Elston […]

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Support for biking to school pays off in Palatine

By Ted Villaire | May 28, 2019

What started in Palatine with a single school and about 30 kids in 2003 is now an annual spring affair expanded to 13 public and private schools and 1,300 students. Bike to School Day, held the first Wednesday in May, is now a community-wide effort in Palatine. The success of the event is due to various groups — PTAs, a […]

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Wheel & Sprocket’s ties to advocacy and community

By Ami Schwartz | May 24, 2019

Since 1973, the Wheel & Sprocket has been benefiting the cycling community with a passion for fitting customers to the proper bike and encouraging safe biking. Wheel & Sprocket operates a number of bike shops in Wisconsin and has two shops in Illinois — in Evanston and in Oak Park. For 40 years, Chris Kegel brought his knowledge and excitement […]

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Seeking transit rider stories for Fair Fares Chicagoland

By Lynda Lopez | May 23, 2019

Have you ever faced challenges affording the costs of transit? If so, we want to hear your story. The Active Transportation Alliance recently launched a new campaign to create a discounted fare for low-income transit riders in the Chicagoland region within the Regional Transit Authority. As of 2019, a monthly CTA pass costs $105. If a transit rider makes under […]

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Des Plaines River Trail continues to improve

By Matt Gomez | May 21, 2019

Users of the Des Plaines River Trail (DPRT) will be happy to hear that there are some exciting opportunities and improvements coming to the trail. For starters, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and engineers from Terra Engineering hosted a public meeting last week to show people options for the trail to cross the Union Pacific railroad tracks between […]

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Better walking & biking on Riverwalk & Wacker Dr.

By Steve Simmons | May 20, 2019

If you’ve ever walked or biked along the Riverwalk on the Main Branch of the Chicago River — especially during summer months — then you know it’s both a dynamic public space and a challenge to navigate on foot and bike. The Chicago River will only grow in popularity in the coming years as one of the city’s premier destinations […]

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Mayor Lightfoot can reduce Chicago’s car dependency

By Kyle Whitehead | May 20, 2019

To tackle traffic congestion and make transportation more affordable, healthy, and equitable, Chicago must make it easier to get around without a car. During the campaign, Mayor Lightfoot and many council members supported strategies to move Chicago in this direction, including increasing transportation options in the city’s transit deserts and reducing serious traffic crashes that are concentrated on the city’s […]

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Lathrop Homes path adds to growing Chicago River Trail

By Steve Simmons | May 13, 2019

Biking, walking and access to the local bus route is about to get easier at Lathrop Homes with the expected completion of a riverfront path this summer. Lathrop Homes, a housing development north and south of Diversey Avenue along the Chicago River’s North Branch, includes a new half-mile long trail that runs alongside the housing development on the east side […]

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