Blog

Ride-hailing data transparency long overdue

Dec 4, 2017 | by Active Trans

For years ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have changed how many people get around Chicago. But, unfortunately, we still lack the data to truly understand the impact from these services.

Unlike in other major cities, Uber and Lyft are not required to make their Chicago trip data publicly available. Access to anonymized trip data is critical to understanding how rideshare vehicles are changing our streets. It also allows cities and researchers to analyze the impact the services are having on public transit,

Brookfield’s first bicycle boulevard is here

Nov 30, 2017 | by Active Trans

The Village of Brookfield is now home to one of the first bicycle boulevards in the Chicagoland suburbs!

What exactly is a bicycle boulevard? Sometimes termed a “neighborhood greenway,” a bike boulevard is a low-speed street that prioritizes bicycle traffic. Bicycle boulevards use signage, paint and other traffic calming features to create a safer, more comfortable environment for all road users.   

At the beginning of November, the village added the finishing touches to its bicycle boulevard,

O’Hare Express should not be region’s top transit priority

Nov 30, 2017 | by Active Trans

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A privately funded express train service to O’Hare Airport would be an upgrade to our transit system, but it shouldn’t happen at the expense of other regional transit priorities.

This week, the city released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for respondents to design, build, finance, operate and maintain express service through a public-private partnership.

The RFQ does not specify a route, number of stations or other service details – although it does specify that the project needs to reduce travel times to 20 minutes or less between O’Hare and downtown.

A look into Chicago’s rich bicycling history

Nov 29, 2017 | by Active Trans

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With more than 125,000 bike trips taking place every day in Chicago, it’s clear that cycling is no longer a fringe activity, but a mainstream mode of transportation.

As demonstrated with 100 miles of new bike lanes, a growing number of new trails and new parks like The 606 and Big Marsh Bike Park, and the arrival of the popular Divvy bike-share program, conditions are better than ever for people who bike in Chicago.

December events on the Lakefront Trail

Nov 29, 2017 | 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 December so you can better plan your walking, biking or running route. As the temperatures fall heading into winter, there are fewer events to watch out for. 

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

Blame state legislators for transit fare hikes

Nov 28, 2017 | by Active Trans

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State cuts have forced the region’s transit agencies to consider cutting service or increasing fares, due to overwhelming capital and operations needs.

Metra’s recently passed budget includes a 25-cent fare increase for all zones and a reduction in service on four lines.

Similarly, last week, the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) released its proposed budget, which included a 25-cent fare increase for both bus and rail trips and thankfully no service cuts.

Back on the Bus: Incentivize purchase of multi day passes

Nov 28, 2017 | by Active Trans

A recent change to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) fare structure may be contributing to bus ridership declines. 

In 2013, CTA increased the price of one-, three-, seven- and 30-day passes while maintaining the base fare, resulting in fewer people buying multi-day passes. If you’re not riding transit multiple times per day for the full period, it no longer makes economic sense to buy the pass.

Instead, more riders are paying per trip and they are less likely to ride the bus,

Your latest local active transportation news

Nov 21, 2017 | by Active Trans

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The fifth issue of our local e-newsletters launched today!

The local e-newsletters offer a quick read on issues related to bicycling, walking and transit in six Chicagoland regions.

There are so many exciting projects underway in many different communities — read more below and check out our In Your Community webpages to learn about what's new in your neighborhood.

City of Chicago

North Side 

• Speeding up Chicago’s buses
• 312 RiverRun Trail construction has begun
• Join the Chicago River Trail Coalition
• Major makeover for Milwaukee Ave.

Clean environment essential for Chicago River Trail

Nov 20, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Whether in an urban or rural setting, along a body of water, or through the mountains, the environment is often what distinguishes our favorite trails from each other.

Trails with clean air and water, healthy plants and wildlife encourage more people to use them for recreation and transportation.

Although the city has made progress cleaning up the Chicago River, we're concerned about a mysterious oil spill that happened in late October along the 1.5-mile stretch of the South Fork of the South Branch —

Pushing for better walking & biking near Lake Calumet

Nov 17, 2017 | by Active Trans

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As new park and cultural developments continue to come to fruition in the Lake Calumet region on Chicago’s Far South Side, Active Trans has been working closely with grassroots leaders, local officials and partner organizations to push forward improved pedestrian, bicycle and public transit connections in the area.

From Steelworkers Park to the Pullman National Monument, the Park at Big Marsh and beyond, there are an incredible array of existing and planned cultural and open space destinations on Chicago’s Far South Side.