Blog

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

Cal-Sag advocates awarded for their work

Feb 2, 2018 | by Active Trans

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Bicycle and walking advocates recently gathered alongside local mayors, planners and government officials to celebrate the 26-mile Cal-Sag Trail, as the Metropolitan Planning Council presented its annual Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning to the Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail and the Cal-Sag Trail Coalition.

As noted by the various speakers at the event, discussions about a Cal-Sag Trail started nearly 15 years ago.

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February events on the Lakefront Trail

Feb 1, 2018 | by Active Trans

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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 February so you can better plan your walking, biking or running route. With just one major event scheduled for the lakefront, it looks like this month is a great time to take advantage of a less congested Lakefront Trail! 

For regular updates about the Lakefront Trail,

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Suburban superstars: a tale of two walking advocates (part 2)

Feb 1, 2018 | by Active Trans

This is a continuation of our two-part blog series highlighting the walking advocacy of two inspiring women in the suburbs.

This fall the Active Transportation Alliance gathered more than 100 advocates from 63 villages and cities across the region, both online and in-person, to take part in our Bike Walk Every Town suburban advocacy training.

At the training we were honored to meet Des Plaines resident Geraldolyn Harris,

Oak Park swings, misses on Divvy

Jan 25, 2018 | by Active Trans

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With Divvy leaving Oak Park, it’s a good time to reflect on how we got here. As a long-time resident of Oak Park, I was happy when the village decided to use a state grant in partnership with Chicago and Evanston to offer Divvy bike share, starting in 2016. 

We know that bike sharing systems like Divvy don’t work well in typical American suburbs where destinations can be far apart and roads unfriendly to people on bikes.

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New Divvy pricing offers more options for two-wheeled fun

Jan 24, 2018 | by Active Trans

Today the City of Chicago announced tweaks to the pricing structure for the Divvy bike share system. 

Active Trans is hopeful these changes will encourage more people to try Divvy while also providing existing users with a better experience.

Ultimately, attracting more people to use Divvy will make more resources available for additional stations, expanded access through low-cost membership programs like Divvy for Everyone, and increased outreach and educational programming. 

Suburban superstars: a tale of two walking advocates (part 1)

Jan 22, 2018 | by Active Trans

Last year, as part of the Bike Walk Every Town suburban advocacy program, the Active Transportation Alliance hosted several advocacy skills-building workshops.

We were privileged to cross paths with several dedicated leaders who have spent years working to improve walking, biking and transit conditions in their communities. We wanted to learn what motivated them to volunteer their time and persist through the oftentimes bumpy road of transportation advocacy. 

Two Chicagoland women,

Parents share their hopes for Milwaukee Ave.

Jan 17, 2018 | by Active Trans

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is completing a major reconstruction of the highly-trafficked corridor between Belmont Avenue and Logan Boulevard. 

The goals for the project, according to CDOT, are to create public space, improve walkability, achieve Vision Zero by enhancing traffic safety and access to the area, and harmonize the various modes of transportation. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape this popular corridor.

The first public meeting for the project was held this past summer,

An advocate’s lesson in making a difference

Jan 9, 2018 | by Active Trans

One of the highest priority transportation proposals in McHenry County has been a three-quarter mile multi-use trail along Bull Valley Road just south of the City of McHenry in the northwest suburbs.

This proposed trail extension that runs between Route 31 and the Illinois Prairie Path was also highlighted in the Active Transportation Alliance’s Trail Connect Chicagoland map, which envisions a continuous trail network in Northwest Illinois.

Closing the trail gap would establish the western link of the Millennium Trail by connecting east to Moraine Hills Park and eventually extend all the way to Lake Michigan.

An advocate’s lesson in making a difference

Jan 9, 2018 | by Anne Evans

One of the highest priority transportation proposals in McHenry County has been a three-quarter mile multi-use trail along Bull Valley Road just south of the City of McHenry in the northwest suburbs.

This proposed trail extension that runs between Route 31 and the Illinois Prairie Path was also highlighted in the Active Transportation Alliance’s Trail Connect Chicagoland map, which envisions a continuous trail network in Northwest Illinois.

Closing the trail gap would establish the western link of the Millennium Trail by connecting east to Moraine Hills Park and eventually extend all the way to Lake Michigan.

January events on the Lakefront Trail

Jan 5, 2018 | by Active Trans

Happy new year to all! May your 2018 be filled with walks, runs and rides along the Lakefront Trail.

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 January so you can better plan your walking, biking or running route. As winter weather consumes our city, there are fewer events to watch out for.

For regular updates about the Lakefront Trail,