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A bill that adds the Dutch Reach method to Illinois’ Rules of the Road manual and adds bike safety questions to the state driver’s license exam has been signed into law. The Dutch Reach method encourages drivers and passengers to use their far hand and reach across their body to open car doors after parallel parking, forcing people to look […]
A new analysis shows the Chicago region has grown more car dependent since 1980, and that a different approach is needed to create healthier, more sustainable and more equitable communities. The Active Transportation Alliance’s 2018 Regional Mode Share Report demonstrates the region’s inability to build its way out of traffic congestion. A larger percentage of Chicagoland residents are driving to work […]
Protected bike lanes, freshly painted crosswalks and longer signals for people walking — these are just a few of the priorities Logan Square residents have championed during our project to improve walking and biking on Logan Blvd. For the past eight months, the Active Transportation Alliance has led a variety of activities to identify the most significant obstacles to walking […]
If leaders in the Chicago region want to reduce crashes and save lives, new data shows more resources should go towards redesigning arterial streets. According to the Active Transportation Alliance’s 2018 Chicago Regional Crash Report, 53 percent of all crashes in the region occur on arterial roads, which make up 36 percent of the lane miles in our region. These […]
Cook County’s latest round of grant funding includes several exciting projects for people who walk, bike and ride transit in the city and suburbs. Last week the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways announced its 2018 Invest in Cook Grant program. The program is designed to advance priorities from the county’s recent long range transportation plan, which has a […]
A state law passed in 2017 establishes a regulatory structure for electric assist bicycles (e-bikes) in Illinois and helps riders understand the new technology. The bill amended the Illinois vehicle code to create three classes of e-bikes based upon the bike’s equipment and top speed. Class 1 – pedal-assist electric bicycles in which the motor provides support only while the […]
As election season in the City of Chicago approaches, Active Trans is excited to invite our partners and supporters across the city to provide input on our 2019 transportation platform. Active Trans will host two meetings open to all to help build a collaborative and intersectional platform, which will be used to educate candidates and voters in the 2019 Chicago […]
At this year’s Illinois Bike Summit hosted by Ride Illinois, Active Trans board member and Chicago Heights resident Larry Mysz was given the prestigious Illinois Educator Award. The award was well deserved. As a bicycle advocate and educator over the last two decades, Larry has touched the lives of thousands of people, inspiring many to seriously consider the bicycle as […]
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) finally has a plan to make all its rail stations accessible. Unfortunately, however, only a small portion of the work is funded. This week CTA released its first All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Plan — following through on a commitment CTA President Dorval Carter made in 2016. The plan outlines the short- and long-term projects needed […]
The needs of people biking and walking on Chicago’s Southeast Side have been ignored for too long. In an effort to change that, community advocates are now ramping up the pressure on local elected officials. Join Active Trans, the Southside Trailblazers, Friends of Big Marsh and Slow Roll Chicago on Saturday, July 28 for the Big Marsh Bike Convergence community ride. […]