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

Bringing your bike to Milwaukee on Amtrak just got much easier

By Ted Villaire | May 4, 2016

Post image: Want to take your bike on the Amtrak train to Milwaukee? if so, you'll be pleased to know the process just took a big step forward in terms of convenience.  Up until now, Amtrak passengers travelling with their bike between Milwaukee and Chicago had to put their bike in a box. Now people can store their fully-assembled bike in […]

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Safe, welcoming school campus a key feature of safe routes

By Ted Villaire | April 28, 2016

Post image:  This guest blog post was authored by Rob Castaneda (pictured). He's the executive director of the local nonprofit, Beyond the Ball. For me, the Safe Routes to School program is more than just looking how kids feel when they are walking to school. It also includes what the culture is around a school, the environment.  I don’t just […]

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Bike to School Day is Wednesday, May 4!

By Ted Villaire | April 25, 2016

Post image:  Next Wednesday, schools around the country will be hosting events to encourage children to bike to school for National Bike to School Day. Over the past fifty years, there has been a severe decline in the number of children who walk or bike to school. While there are many reasons this has happened, it is possible for us […]

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City plans for more high-quality bikeways

By Ted Villaire | April 16, 2016

Post image:  We’re excited that Mayor Emanuel recently announced that Chicago will build 50 more miles of “better bike lanes” by 2019, including nine miles in 2016. The city defines better bike lanes as barrier-protected bike lanes, neighborhood greenways and trails. Upgrading protected bike lanes to concrete separation — far better than plastic posts — also counts toward the city’s […]

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Raise the gas tax to fund transit and street improvements

By Ted Villaire | April 13, 2016

Post image:  Politicians in Illinois and across the country love talking about the need to “fix our crumbling infrastructure” and invest in our roads, bridges and transit systems so we can create jobs, strengthen our regional economy and help people get around safely.   When the conversation moves to how to raise the necessary revenue through tax and fee increases, […]

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April events on the Lakefront Trail

By Ted Villaire | April 7, 2016

Post image:  Spring is officially here along with plenty of running events along Chicago’s Lakefront Trail. Every month, Active Trans compiles a list of events along the lakefront so people biking, walking and running can better plan their routes. Check out what’s going on in April. For more information on Lakefront Trail conditions, follow us on Twitter.   Saturday, April […]

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South Shore Line kicks off bikes-on-trains pilot project

By Ted Villaire | April 4, 2016

Post image:  After years of advocacy, South Shore Line riders rolled their bicycles aboard the Northwest Indiana commuter rail system’s trains for the very first time this weekend as part of a pilot project announced last year. Despite the nasty weather, a handful of people took advantage of the service during its inaugural weekend.  While bicycle access is currently limited to […]

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Safe Routes Twitter chat looks at solutions

By Ted Villaire | April 1, 2016

Post image:  During our Twitter chat this past week, the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity, Enlace, and the Illinois Sate Alliance of YMCAs joined us to talk about why safe walking and biking is important for ALL kids in Illinois, no matter where they live or where they go to school.  Safe access to walking and biking space is a […]

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Six Corners makes its mark as Bike Friendly Business District

By Ted Villaire | March 28, 2016

Post image:  Last year, Active Transportation Alliance teamed up with Six Corners Association, Ald. John Arena and members of the Portage Park community to develop a vision for improving bicycle and pedestrian access to this historic commercial district. This past weekend, Six Corners Association officially launched its Bike Friendly Business District initiative with the installation of two bike murals and […]

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Victory! Separate biking, walking trails coming to lakefront

By Ted Villaire | March 22, 2016

Post image:  Active Trans' efforts to create separate lakefront trails for people on bikes and people on foot has paid off. This became evident when Mayor Emanuel revealed that the Chicago Park District will pursue the separated trail plan on two of the most congested portions of the Lakefront Trail. According to the Chicago Tribune, the trail will be widened and split […]

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