Blog
Keep up with the latest news
on Active Trans and topics that
we care about in the region.
As the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) develops its state-wide plan for improving walking and biking, dozens of organizations and municipalities are urging the state to take a bold approach with the plan. Active Transportation Alliance has rallied together 69 organizations and municipalities that have expressed their support for a series of recommended policies and programs for IDOT to consider […]
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The Chicago City Council recently adopted an ordinance outlining strengthened requirements for the city’s reporting on fatal crashes. Spearheaded by 50th Ward Alderperson Debra Silverstein, the Fatal Crash Legacy Ordinance will require a detailed investigation after a fatal crash to identify contributing factors. The law requires Chicago Department of Transportation to develop a list of recommended safety improvements that can […]
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The South Side of Chicago has long suffered from a dearth of trails and green space. Thankfully, it’s an issue that’s getting more attention. Local community groups and government agencies are revitalizing vacant community spaces to create new trails and enhance existing trails as they seek to bring sustainable transportation options to these historically disinvested neighborhoods. Recently, Active Transportation Alliance […]
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After decades of anticipation, the CTA Red Line Extension (RLE) project is set to receive a nearly $2 billion injection of federal funding. The RLE will be a 5.6-mile expansion of CTA’s Red Line from 95th Street to 130th Street on Chicago’s Far South Side. The project aims to foster thriving communities by connecting Far South Side residents to essential […]
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Metra is offering special service on the Heritage Corridor Line on Saturdays this fall, giving Chicago-area residents opportunities to explore the biking and running paths, festivals, craft breweries, restaurants, and communities along the Metra route that runs southwest of the city to Joliet. Dubbed “Rails, Trails and Ales,” the program offers three round-trip trains, each equipped with Metra’s new bike […]
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After many decades of policies that have fallen far short of keeping our sidewalks clear of snow in the winter, Chicago is on the verge of vast improvements when it comes to enhancing mobility when the snow falls. In July, Better Streets Chicago and Access Living’s Plow the Sidewalks Pilot Program ordinance passed in city council 49-1. The ordinance approved […]
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Good news for commuters. New legislation will enable more public transportation users to save on their daily commuting costs, making transit more affordable and accessible in metropolitan Chicago. On July 28, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Transportation Benefits Program Act into law. It expands the Regional Transportation Authority Transit Benefit Fare Program, which allows people to pay for transit and […]
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Each year, Chicago Bike Month is jam packed with bike-related activities like community rides, pop-up biking stations, and bike repair clinics. While Active Trans organizes some of the Bike Month events during the month of May, most of the events are organized by small grassroots groups. Even though Bike Month is long gone, we want to recognize the outstanding programs […]
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This year the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has launched a new initiative to create a roadmap for a safe, connected pedestrian and bicycle network across the state. The Walk Roll Illinois Active Transportation Plan initiative is an update to the state’s 2014 Bike Plan, which will now include all active transportation modes. IDOT seeks to understand existing conditions, identify […]
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We commend CTA’s recent initiatives to improve service and elevate transparency with the launch of an even more robust interactive performance dashboard, as part of its “Meeting the Moment” plan. This forward-thinking initiative responds to the calls from riders and advocates for more transparency and reliable service. As a part of its Meeting the Moment plan, CTA’s performance metrics report […]
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