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

President signs 5-year transportation bill into law

By Ted Villaire | December 7, 2015

Post image: On Friday, President Obama signed the first long-term federal transportation bill in more than a decade into law, and there’s plenty of good news for people who bike, walk and ride transit in Chicagoland. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is a five-year bill with more than $300 billion in infrastructure funding, including $61 billion (20 percent) for […]

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Three biking myths debunked

By Ted Villaire | December 4, 2015

Post image: You encounter it regularly. A friend, co-worker or even a family member makes a disparaging remark that turns all cyclists into scofflaw adrenaline junkies with little concern for the safety of others. Or cycling gets painted as an antisocial activity that infringes on the basic rights of drivers. “Roads were built for cars!” is a common — and […]

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Highland Park committed to being bike-friendly for everyone

By Ted Villaire | December 2, 2015

Post image:  North suburban Highland Park is a city dedicated to building a better bike culture.   Last year, the city partnered with Active Trans to become the first Family Friendly Bikeways community. So with support from the Highland Park Bike-Walk Advisory Group, we spearheaded an effort to improve biking in the Highlands, a neighborhood where people need better biking […]

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December events on the Lakefront Trail

By Ted Villaire | December 1, 2015

Post image:  Active Trans compiles a list of events going on at the Lakefront Trail.  See what’s happening this month. To keep up-to-date on current conditions on the Lakefront Trail, follow us on Twitter.    Saturday, December 5 Santa Hustle 5k Run/Walk Time: 9 a.m. Location: Soldier Field Course Map   Sunday, December 6 Go Santa Go 5k Time: 9 a.m. […]

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Remembering one of Active Trans' first board members

By Ted Villaire | November 30, 2015

Post image:  Active Trans recently learned the sad news that Sean Morris, one of our founding board members, passed away due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 79 years old.  Sean helped form the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation (CBF) 30 years ago (CBF became the Active Transportation Alliance in 2008). After CBF got off the ground, Sean lived in Chile for […]

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No good outcomes in sentence for aggravated DUI death

By Ted Villaire | November 25, 2015

Post image:  In the frigidly cold late evening hours on December 6, 2013, Hector Avalos, 28, a former marine and aspiring chef, was returning home by bike from his job at a River North restaurant in Chicago.  That same evening, Robert Vais, 54, an administrator at Stroger Hospital, was returning home in his white minivan after leaving a holiday party […]

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Construction to start on North Branch Trail south extension

By Ted Villaire | November 25, 2015

Post image:  After years of planning and preparation, work is slated to begin November 30 on the southern extension of the North Branch Trail on Chicago’s Northwest Side.   The project will extend the popular multi-use path from its current endpoint at Devon Ave. south to Foster Ave. at Gompers Park. The Chicago region already has many fantastic off-street trails […]

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Making Chicago accessible for everyone

By Ted Villaire | November 24, 2015

Post image:  Grassroots transportation advocacy helped lay the groundwork for the landmark enactment of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), giving civil rights protections to people with disabilities. Twenty-five years later in Chicago, all CTA buses and 69 percent of its train stations are accessible. But there are still a handful of stations that aren’t ADA compliant. Why has it taken this […]

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New Chicago Snow Removal Ordinance taking effect

By Ted Villaire | November 23, 2015

Post image:  Chicago’s first snowstorm over the weekend made it abundantly clear: winter has arrived. With winter's arrival also comes the need for keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Whether you live in Chicago or local suburban communities, being a good neighbor means having good shoveling habits.  Unshoveled snow serves as an obstacle for people using sidewalks — specifically people […]

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The Clybourn protected bike lane victory

By Ted Villaire | November 20, 2015

Post image:  Today I applauded the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) at a press conference officially unveiling the curb-separated bike lanes on parts of Clybourn Ave. and Division St. in Chicago.   Join us in extending our gratitude by signing our online thank you card to IDOT, the Chicago Department of Transportation, and Alderman Walter Burnett. The new lanes on […]

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