Blog

Keep up with the latest news
on Active Trans and topics that
we care about in the region.

Chicago’s bike touring legend George Christensen will be honored at Ride of Silence

By Active Transportation Alliance | May 14, 2024

Chicago’s bicycling community lost a champion last month. George Christensen, a former bike courier who rode thousands of miles each year and traversed entire continents by bike, eloquently chronicling his adventures along the way, was tragically killed while riding in South Carolina. He was 73. On Monday, April 22, Christensen was on his latest epic bike trip, traveling up the Atlantic coast from […]

Read More

Join us May 15 for the Chicago Ride of Silence as we mourn lives lost

By Ted Villaire | May 10, 2024

On Wednesday, May 15, all are invited to join a worldwide annual bicycle ride to honor the people killed while biking on public roadways. Rides will be held in Chicago, Downers Grove, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Evanston/Skokie, and Villa Park. See the full list of Illinois rides and details about how to participate. The event calls attention to the […]

Read More

State legislators introduce bill to transform Illinois transit 

By Jim Merrell | April 30, 2024

Speaking at a press conference in the Great Hall of Chicago’s Union Station, Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam and State Representative Eva-Dina Delgado unveiled a transformational package of legislation aimed at dramatically remaking how public transit is managed and funded in the state. Chief among the proposed reforms is combining the existing four regional transit agencies (the Regional Transit Authority, […]

Read More

Make your voice heard for safer streets in Chicago

By Ted Villaire | April 15, 2024

Over the past five years, the number of serious injuries and fatalities on our roadways has soared. Speed is typically a major culprit. If you want to see motorists traveling at safer speeds, please consider taking action by contacting your alderperson. Chicago City Council’s Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety will hold a hearing on lowering the Chicago default speed […]

Read More

Celebrating progress at the Movers and Shakers Ball

By Ted Villaire | April 12, 2024

The Active Transportation Alliance recently hosted an unforgettable evening that not only celebrated the strides we’ve made towards a more sustainable and accessible city but also set the stage for the transformative work ahead. The Movers and Shakers Ball — a gala event that brought together the city’s most passionate advocates for walking, biking, and public transit — was a […]

Read More

Legislating for livable communities: Sen. Simmons to be honored for transportation leadership

By Ted Villaire | March 26, 2024

State Senator Mike Simmons understands that improving transportation is about more than just getting from point A to point B; it’s about transforming our communities into better places to live and work. By championing biking, walking, and public transit, Sen. Simmons is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health, and save lives. It’s this commitment to enhancing our […]

Read More

Our journey towards better transit requires unity and action

By Ted Villaire | March 19, 2024

As our region’s transit system faces unprecedented funding and service challenges, a powerful movement is underway, driven by the collective voices of those who know we deserve better service from our trains and buses. Our recent gathering at the Transit is Essential Town Hall, held at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in the Douglas neighborhood, showed the transformative power of […]

Read More

What’s happening with the remaining section of the Weber Spur Trail?

By Maya Norris | March 1, 2024

The Weber Spur Trail on Chicago’s Northwest Side has been subject to a series of starts and stops over the last decade, resulting in slow, sporadic progress for the rails-to-trails project. But the trail may finally be making some progress as the North Branch Trail Alliance re-engages local communities and stakeholders and works to ensure the project is top of […]

Read More

Surveys help refine DuPage County Trails Plan

By Maya Norris | February 14, 2024

The DuPage County Department of Transportation recently completed a survey that will help inform a trails plan that is expected to be approved this year. The new trails plan, which has been in development for several years, will focus on the maintenance and operations of nearly 100 miles of trails, including the Illinois Prairie Path, Great Western Trail and Southern […]

Read More

Inadequate hiring pipeline continues to impact CTA service

By Julia Gerasimenko | February 2, 2024

Rail service at the CTA, unfortunately, continues to be plagued by issues surrounding hiring and  training. The persistent problems with the agency’s employment pipeline means riders continue to be frustrated with unreliable, infrequent transit service, and CTA workers continue to be frustrated by lack of adequate job growth opportunities.  In late December, we mobilized nearly 900 transit supporters in response […]

Read More

Your support allows us to work on making our region a better place for walking, biking and transit. Be part of the movement.

Scroll to Top