Blog

Tell governor to sign Bike Walk Education in Schools Act

Jul 10, 2018 | by Kyle Whitehead

Another important bike safety bill has arrived on Governor Rauner’s desk and we need your help to make sure it’s signed into law.

The Bike Walk Education in Schools Act (HB 4799) passed the Illinois House and Senate with strong bipartisan majorities and awaits the governor’s signature.

The legislation requires school boards statewide to adopt policies for educating K-8 students about biking and walking safety. Schools boards determine how best to implement the requirement in their schools.

Ride sparks discussion with 31st Ward alderman

Jul 9, 2018 | by Julia Gerasimenko

Belmont Cragin residents are eager to see better biking infrastructure in their neighborhood. This desire was clearly on display on a recent weekend when 80 people came out to the Bike 4 Belmont Cragin ride organized by the Northwest Side Housing Center (NWSHC) and Active Trans.

In addition to offering the ride as a fun local event, the ride was intended to demostrate community support for biking infrastructure and the need for maintaining existing bike lanes on the Northwest Side of Chicago.

July events on the Lakefront Trail

Jul 9, 2018 | by Julia Gerasimenko

The Active Transportation Alliance compiles a list of events happening each month along the Lakefront Trail. See what’s going on in the month of July so you can better plan your walking, biking or running route. This month will be busy!

For regular updates about the Lakefront Trail, follow our Lakefront Trail Twitter page and the #chiLFT hashtag.

NOTE: For updates on the Lakefront Trail separation construction, visit the Chicago Park District’s page.

Become an Active Trans Ambassador on Aug. 2

Jul 9, 2018 | by Active Trans

Do you share our vision for a region with safe opportunities to bike, walk and take public transit?

Are you excited about the work that Active Trans does and have an interest in advancing our mission by educating others?

If you answered yes, we need you to help us fight for this vision by becoming an Active Trans Ambassador.

Click here to sign up for an evening training in our office,

Tell governor to sign Bike Safety and Dutch Reach Act

Jun 28, 2018 | by Kyle Whitehead

A critical bike safety bill has arrived on Governor Rauner’s desk and now we need your help to make sure it’s signed into law.

On Wednesday, June 27, HB 5143 – the Bike Safety and Dutch Reach Act – was sent to Governor Rauner. The bill amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to add information about bike safety to the state’s Rules of the Road manual and driver’s license exam. The added information includes a description of using the “Dutch reach”

Extending the I&M Canal Trail

Jun 27, 2018 | by Matt Gomez

A few southwest suburban communities, including Summit, are exploring an extension to the popular Illinois and Michigan (I&M) Canal Trail for biking and walking.Earlier this month, Active Trans joined Summit Mayor Sergio Rodriguez, local advocates and trail development experts for a tour of a potential site for the trail along the Sanitary and Ship Canal in the Village of Summit (The Sanitary and Ship Canal is a 28-mile-long canal system that connects the Chicago River to the Des Plaines River).

TOD near bus routes should come with service upgrades

Jun 25, 2018 | by Kyle Whitehead

Mayor Emanuel’s proposal to incentivize housing development near high-ridership bus routes must prioritize on-site affordable units and come with upgrades to bus service.

Last week the mayor announced a plan to expand the city’s transit-oriented development (TOD) policy to include high-ridership, high-frequency bus routes like Western, Ashland, Chicago Avenue and 79th Street. The city will study these areas with CTA and engage aldermen and community residents, with plans to introduce an ordinance in 2019.

Electric scooters: promise or peril?

Jun 25, 2018 | by Ron Burke

Active Trans has long been a believer in the power of bike sharing to increase bicycling, sustainability, equity and more.

Divvy recently topped 15 million rides since launching in 2013, and new dockless bike-sharing companies offer the potential to improve and expand bike share if cities adopt the right policies.

But what about electric scooter sharing? 

This new service has already arrived in San Francisco where it has been wonderful or awful,

Businesses benefit when employees bike to work

Jun 21, 2018 | by Barb Cornew

The Bike to Work Challenge is one of Active Trans’ longest-running and most beloved events.

The two-week-long challenge, which started on June 15 and lasts until June 29, gives workplaces throughout Chicagoland an opportunity to go up against one another in a friendly competition. Workplaces compete by earning points and getting the most employees riding to work during the week (a bike commute can mean a full or partial bike trip).

Sign the petition for a Chicago Bike Walk Fund

Jun 18, 2018 | by Active Trans

After a flurry of new construction from 2011 to 2015, the growth of Chicago’s networks of protected bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets has unfortunately slowed down.

Chicago installed 15.9 miles of new bikeways (including one mile of protected bike lanes) in 2017, down from a peak of 39.5 new miles of bikeways in 2014.

Progress on safer streets is clearly lagging despite growing support among Chicagoans and our elected officials for creating streets that protect the most vulnerable users on foot and bike.