Blog

Ride with the North Branch Trail Alliance on June 24

Jun 16, 2017 | by Active Trans

Post image: 

Do you support trails and economic development? If you answered yes, then join the North Branch Trail Alliance at 11 a.m. on June 24 for its inaugural ride.

The group will meet on the North Branch Trail at Forest Glen Woods (5400 N. Forest Glen Avenue).

This event is open to cyclists of all skill and experience levels. Participants will have the option to ride with the group for the duration of the ride or choose their own adventures as they enjoy local businesses.

Local agency pulls out the stops for Commuter Challenge

Jun 16, 2017 | by Active Trans

Post image: 

Upshot, a Chicago-based marketing agency, comes out on top for being one of the most enthusiastic teams within the Bike Commuter Challenge. 

The staff’s passion for the challenge has only gotten stronger over the past 6 years of their participation. The River North agency has about 170 staff people. 

Upshot staff say the advantages to biking to work are many: not only is it an economically smart and healthy way to get to work,

Kids learn to ride safely at Northbrook District 28

Jun 15, 2017 | by Active Trans

Post image: 

By starting bike safety education early, it puts kids on the path to safe and confident biking into their adult years. This will lead to safer communities and a growing population of people who feel comfortable biking and see it as a viable mode of transportation.

In recent weeks, north suburban Northbrook District 28 ran a bike education program provided by Active Trans at three of its schools,

Dockless bike sharing should complement Divvy

Jun 13, 2017 | by Active Trans

Post image: 

If managed properly, new bike sharing companies could help fill in gaps in the city’s bike sharing network and offer service in suburban communities without established systems.

Companies like Ofo, JUMP, Limebike, and Spin, are already operating in U.S. cities and considering launching in Chicago. Generally, the bikes can be parked in any public space and users access them via smartphone apps.

Vision Zero Action Plan focuses on reducing vehicle speeds

Jun 12, 2017 | by Active Trans

Today’s release of a Vision Zero Action Plan lays a strong foundation for the city to achieve its goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2026.

The three-year plan shows the city is serious about preventing crashes and making our streets safer for everyone, especially the most vulnerable people who are walking and biking. Now we need to make sure our elected officials at every level of government provide appropriate funding support for the city to meet its ambitious goals.

A ride back in L time

Jun 9, 2017 | by Active Trans

Post image: 

This week the elevated CTA platform at Clark and Lake took a step back in time as vintage train cars from the 1920s and 1970s rolled into the station in celebration of the L train’s 125th birthday. They ran around the stops in the Loop, tooting their horns for several hours. 

While out on lunch break, a couple Active Trans staffers hopped on board for a ride around the Loop — for professional research,

NW Side residents support trails and bikeways

Jun 7, 2017 | by Active Trans

Post image: 

It was standing room only at the Trails and Bikeways workshop when more than fifty northwest side residents filled Gompers Park Fieldhouse on May 25. They rolled up their sleeves in small groups and recommended ways to improve trails and off-street bike routes.

A key part of our Chicago River Trail campaign involves directly engaging the public so that projects meet the safety and accessiblity needs of surrounding neighborhoods.

Metra cuts would exacerbate transportation inequity

May 31, 2017 | by Active Trans

Post image: 

In order to pay for increased service on the Main Metra Electric Line, Metra has proposed cutting off-peak service on the South Chicago and Blue Island branches of Metra Electric. 

This “robbing Peter to pay Paul” strategy would only exacerbate the deep transportation inequity that already exists on the South Side of Chicago and the near southern suburbs, where residents already have poor access to jobs along with many other socio-economic disadvantages.

Tell Congress to reject president's proposed cuts

May 30, 2017 | by Active Trans

Post image: 

Last week President Trump released his first full budget proposal, and it would be devastating for people who ride transit, bike and walk in the Chicago region.

These cuts were first put on the table in the administration's budget blueprint released in March, but now they're officially part of the White House's budget proposal.

Take action today by signing a letter to your members of Congress.

The benefits of teaching bike safety to teens

May 26, 2017 | by Active Trans

Post image: 

Teaching kids bike safety has a variety of positive effects. When kids regularly practice safe cycling, the streets become safer in the communities they live and travel through. 

At the high school level, when you introduce — or reinforce — bike safety, you present key skills and information at a time when young people are more likely to ride a bike for transportation instead of pure recreation.   

Also,