Blog
Keep up with the latest news
on Active Trans and topics that
we care about in the region.
Each year people throughout Illinois are discovering walking and biking as options for every day transportation, unleashing health, environmental, and economic benefits in communities across the state. Despite this growth, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) invests very few state dollars on infrastructure projects to improve conditions for walking and biking. Meanwhile, vast amounts of IDOT funds pour into road […]
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Active Trans’ Kids on Wheels mobile bike fleets once again traveled the region this summer to provide on-bike education opportunities for youth. Since 2013, these two 25-foot cargo trailers have trekked hundreds of miles and served thousands of kids in dozens of communities, offering the opportunity for students to learn valuable riding skills and techniques. It’s an especially important resource […]
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With many threats and opportunities looming in Washington, D.C., decisions by the next U.S. Congress will shape the future of biking, walking and public transit in the Chicago region for years to come. To educate candidates and voters about federal transportation priorities for the next Congress, Active Trans partnered with the League of American Bicyclists on a seven-question candidate questionnaire. […]
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People who scoff at the cost of the Red Line Extension ($2+ billion) shouldn’t overlook the significant social and economic benefits it would deliver to several of the most isolated and disinvested communities in the city. New analysis using the Center for Neighborhood Technology’s AllTransit tool puts numbers behind these benefits. Funded by TransitCenter, the tool allows users to enter […]
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After a series of fatalities and serious injuries, it’s clear Chicago must do more to protect people biking and walking near construction sites. In August, Angela Park was riding her bike in the West Loop when she was tragically struck and killed by a person driving near a construction site at Halsted and Madison. After the crash, Active Trans heard from […]
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Under a new five-year grant awarded to the Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI), Active Trans will help communities in Cook County, the Peoria region and southern Illinois improve biking and walking. The grant, which comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and supports the Illinois State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (ISPAN), allows IPHI to collaborate with the Illinois […]
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A new group of advocates in Oak Park is committed to strengthening the village’s position as one of the best Chicago suburbs for walking, biking and public transit. Formed less than a year ago, Bike Walk Oak Park (BWOP) has become a vocal presence in the community, calling for safer streets for people walking and biking in the village. The […]
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Active Transportation Alliance agrees with Alderman Reilly that bikes should be walked when the Riverwalk is crowded. However, we don’t support a complete ban on biking because there are many hours and times of the year when it’s safe for people biking and walking to share the path. We’re eager to work with Ald. Reilly and other city leaders to […]
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With a wide-open race for Chicago’s mayor and several competitive races for Chicago City Council, it will be critical to highlight Chicago’s most pressing transportation issues among candidates and voters in the 2019 election. As part of our Walk and Roll the Vote campaign, the Active Transportation Alliance is currently working with residents and community-based organizations across the city to develop […]
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Residents from neighborhoods across the city believe future leaders of Chicago should make it a priority to build out a network of safe biking and walking infrastructure and increase access to fast, frequent public transit service. This is some of what we learned after hosting two Active Transportation Justice Dialogue events at St. John Berchman Chuch in Logan Square and […]
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