Blog

Father of crash victim wants safer streets

May 11, 2017 | by Active Trans

Steven Gross says he has seen enough car crashes and traffic violations to last him a lifetime. 

As an avid cyclist for 30 years and an accomplished professional photographer who sometimes works outdoors, Gross regularly witnesses cars driving into crosswalks when pedestrians have the right way, cars parked in bike lanes, cyclists getting doored and other types of recklessness and negligence on the part of drivers. 

But two incidents in particular hit too close to home for him.

City announces quick-fixes for Milwaukee Ave slated for this summer

May 10, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Last night, residents had a chance to weigh-in on how to make Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park safer and more people-friendly, kicking off an exciting opportunity to advocate for much needed upgrades on one of Chicago’s busiest streets for people walking and biking.

Of the nearly 100 people who showed up for the event, the majority seemed to support making the street safer and more welcoming to people walking and biking. 

Navy Pier Flyover on track to be complete in 2018

May 3, 2017 | by Active Trans

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The lengthy construction process for the Navy Pier Flyover has been frustrating for many Lakefront Trail users, but the city says it will be finished next year.

The flyover, which will allow people biking and walking on the trail to bypass congested vehicle traffic around Navy Pier, is one of the highest profile active transportation projects in the region. We get questions about the status often, especially as temperatures warm up and more people use the trail.

Let's plan for a walkable future

May 2, 2017 | by Active Trans

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This is a guest blog provided by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. 

How will metropolitan Chicago look if more people want to live in walkable, mixed-use areas by 2050?

At the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), we are asking residents across northeast Illinois this very question (and several more) to inform the development of ON TO 2050, the next comprehensive plan for the region.

Finally, here’s our chance to fix Milwaukee Ave in Wicker Park

May 1, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Active Trans members and supporters are all too familiar with the dangerous conditions for people walking and biking along the Milwaukee Avenue corridor in Wicker Park.

On May 9, we’ll have a chance to voice our concerns at a public meeting hosted by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), along with Alderman Moreno (1st Ward), Alderman Hopkins (2nd Ward), Alderman Waguespack (32nd Ward) and the Wicker Park Bucktown Special Service Area #33.

May events on the Lakefront Trail

Apr 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 May so you can better plan your walking, biking or running route.

For more information on conditions on the Lakefront Trail, check out our Lakefront Trail Twitter page.

Monday, May 1

May Day Rally

1 p.m.

Tri-State Tollway expansion will only lead to more driving

Apr 28, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Yet again, a state agency is adding lanes to a busy highway with hopes of relieving traffic congestion.

This week the Illinois Tollway announced it will move forward with planning for a $4 billion expansion project on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between Balmoral Avenue and 95th Street. It’s the latest in an alarming trend of spending billions of dollars to add capacity to major roadways in Chicagoland.

39th Ward Trails and Bikeways Workshop

Apr 27, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Are you a 39th Ward resident who wants to improve neighborhood trails and bikeways? Do you have ideas about how to create safe and accessible connections?

The 39th Ward — represented by Alderman Margaret Laurino — contains a large section of the Chicago River on the far Northwest Side. So, needless to say, it's going to be a key part of the campaign to develop a continuous Chicago River Trail.

Reported doorings increase in 2015 – what does it mean?

Apr 26, 2017 | by Active Trans

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The number of reported "dooring" crashes in Chicago increased by almost 50 percent between 2014 and 2015, according to data recently published by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Doorings are crashes that happen when people open car doors into the path of a person on a bike, leading to a dangerous collision, serious injuries and even fatalities.

There were 202 reported doorings in 2014 and 302 reported in 2015.

Next steps in the Chicago River Trail campaign

Apr 18, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Can you imagine having trail access to Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods and the suburbs as a bicyclist or runner?

Did you know the Chicago River already has 13.2 miles of trails for biking and walking and that the city will complete an additional 1.7 trail miles in 2017?

We couldn’t be more excited for the next steps in the campaign to build a continuous Chicago River Trail. It's energizing to think about the river trail's potential to promote the city's cultural life.