Blog

Truck safety ordinance is a step forward

Jul 6, 2017 | by Active Trans

UPDATE: The ordinance requiring city contractors to install low cost safety equipment on large trucks was approved by City Council on July 26, 2017. Active Trans commends this step towards making Chicago safer for all.

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Last week, the Chicago mayor’s office announced the introduction of a truck safety ordinance to city council as part of its renewed Vision Zero initiative.

The announcement represents the city following through on one of the commitments in the recently released Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate all traffic fatalities in Chicago by 2026.

A wellspring of support for a safer Milwaukee Ave.

Jul 3, 2017 | by Active Trans

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More than 60 people showed up at Arc’Teryx Chicago in Wicker Park to rally for a safer Milwaukee Avenue on a recent humid evening. 

Changes to make this corridor crash free are long overdue. As one of the busiest streets for walking and biking in Chicago, Milwaukee Ave. has had an unacceptably high crash rate between 2011 and 2015, with 195 crashes that resulted in people biking getting injured and 56 pedestrians getting injured,

Creating a complete bike network in Edgewater

Jun 30, 2017 | by Active Trans

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A groundbreaking bikeways project is starting up in Edgewater, which Active Trans hopes sets a precedent for all of Chicago's neighborhoods.

This past week the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the office of Alderman Harry Osterman of the 48th ward hosted a community meeting to kick off the conversation around the pilot program to create a neighborhood bikeways network for Edgewater.

The goal of the project is to create a well-connected neighborhood bike network designed for people of all ages and abilities.

Bikes, boulevards and beer

Jun 30, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Postponed–stay tuned for more information about the rescheduled date.

Join us as we combine three favorite things for many people: bikes, boulevards and beer! 

On Sunday, July 9, Active Trans will be leading a ride from Buckingham Fountain along Chicago's historic boulevards to the Revolution Tap Room, 3340 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago. 

Get to know other Active Trans supporters on a private tour of Revolution Brewery.

Despite progress, biking options limited in suburbs

Jun 29, 2017 | by Active Trans

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People who bike in Chicago's suburbs know that the vast majority of suburban towns don't feel safe or welcoming for people on two wheels. 

Super-sized streets with relentless traffic make people feel boxed in and cut off while biking. And this is especially true if you’re someone with minimal cycling experience. 

Thankfully, there are exceptions — suburbs that are starting to make progress in building biking infrastructure.

Still,

July events on the Lakefront Trail

Jun 28, 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 July so you can better plan your walking, biking or running route.

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

NOTE: The Lakefront Trail detour will still be in effect for the month of July between Fullerton Ave and Ohio Ave.

Redefine the drive for real

Jun 28, 2017 | by Active Trans

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When you’re rebuilding a transportation corridor in one of the densest parts of Chicago, where already more than 20 percent of people are travelling by bus, it stands to reason that the project should include major upgrades to transit service.  

Unfortunately, in the case of North Lake Shore Drive, the jury is still out.

The project team for reconstructing Lake Shore Drive from Grand to Hollywood – led by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the park district – will soon present different design alternatives for how to "Redefine the Drive"

Prepaid bus boarding pilot program expands

Jun 26, 2017 | by Active Trans

In an effort to speed up local bus service and reverse bus ridership decline, CTA is unveiling faster boarding at two more bus stops.

Starting June 27, riders will be able to pay their fare while waiting for a bus and quickly board the following routes:

•Southbound #135 and #146 buses at Inner Drive/Belmont

(6:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m., weekdays)

•Southbound #29 and westbound #69 buses at the 69th Red Line station

(3 p.m.–6 p.m.,

Why Uber won’t replace public transit

Jun 22, 2017 | by Active Trans

Uber hasn’t had a great 2017 so far — what with employee allegations of a culture of sexual harassment, evidence that the company has been systematically deceiving government inspectors, and a lawsuit claiming that it stole autonomous vehicle technology from Google.

Nevertheless, the company remains the most celebrated tech disruptor du jour, and its seemingly ever-growing customer base has convinced many people that it represents the future of urban transportation.

And in fact,

Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park in dire need of bike lanes

Jun 20, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago’s Wicker Park Bucktown neighborhood is one of the busiest streets for walking and biking in the entire city and probably the entire Midwestern US. The street also sees an unacceptable number of people walking and biking injured in preventable crashes.

Let's change that. Sign our petition calling for bike lanes and other safety improvements to Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park.

In the five years from 2011 and 2015,