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 goal. […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Post image:  Every day in Illinois, five kids are hit by a car while within one block of a school. Unsafe streets keep kids across the state from walking and biking, cutting them off from the health, economic, and academic benefits of increased physical activity. On March 2, our team participated in a walk audit in Springfield to compare and […]

Post image:  There is a lot of buzz around driverless — or “autonomous” — cars. Here at Active Trans, we’re trying to learn more about how these vehicles could affect traffic safety and the use of biking, walking and transit to get around.  On the positive side, proponents of these technological wonders promise they will be much safer than vehicles […]