Blog

Imagining the Chicago River Trail in Chinatown

Apr 12, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Creating safe and easy access to Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods and showcasing cultural assets are key goals of the River Trail campaign.  

Our plan for a Chicago River Trail is driven by the idea that more Chicago neighborhoods need better access to recreation options and healthy transportation infrastructure. 

One of the many neighborhoods in the city that would benefit from a continuous Chicago River Trail is Chinatown.

Chicago River Trail

Apr 11, 2017 | by Active Trans

Background

The idea of a river trail is not a new one. At least as far back as Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Plan for Chicago, concepts for riverfront promenades and other public spaces have been a part of the public discourse in Chicago.

But thanks to recent initiatives, like the City of Chicago's Our Great Rivers vision, buzz about a continuous Chicago River Trail has emerged once again.

Urban waterfronts provide cities with unique possibilities for recreation,

Showing Congress Chicagoans oppose gutting transit spending

Apr 11, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Even before President Trump released a budget blueprint featuring major cuts to transit spending, we knew it was going to be a critical year in Washington, D.C. for active transportation.

The transition to a new administration and new Congress typically creates a period of uncertainty on major policy issues. This is complicated by the reality that for the last several years members of Congress have proposed cutting most or all federal spending on biking,

Two biking and walking developments in South Chicagoland

Apr 6, 2017 | by Active Trans

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A new 14-mile multi-use trail is under development along Sauk Trail in the South Suburbs. The Sauk Trail Preservation Path will run through Lynwood, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, Park Forest, Richton Park and Steger.

All six municipalities are working with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and Active Trans to create a plan for trail development. Initial discussions about the trail include planning for improved road crossings and connectivity between neighborhoods.

Creating a scenic Chicago River Trail

Apr 5, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Imagine bicycling or walking along the Chicago River in the presence of beautiful trees and lush green vegetation.  Along the trail you encounter turtles and butterflies and hear birds chirping in the warm sunlight. 

Wouldn’t it be great to bicycle and run along the river in such a scenic environment?  A step toward bringing more of this vision to Chicago happened at a recent public meeting at River Park in the Albany Park neighborhood. 

Festival Production Manager

Apr 5, 2017 | by Active Trans

The Active Transportation Alliance is the Chicago region’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.  Each year the organization produces MB Bike the Drive, a recreational, non-competitive bicycle ride held on the iconic Lake Shore Drive. MB Bike the Drive features a festival in Grant Park that welcomes over 8,000 participants and boasts almost 50 vendors and sponsors exhibiting their products.

The Festival Production Manager will be a seasonal part of the Active Trans team involved in the day-to-day planning,

A new vision for Southeast Chicago begins to take shape

Apr 4, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Since last year, the Chicago Park District has been leading a public planning effort to connect seven existing and planned open space areas on the far South Side of Chicago.

The team behind the Southeast Area Wide Plan has now released draft recommendations for public review and comment. (View the draft recommendations and submit comments using this online survey.)

This planning process provides a fantastic opportunity for people who live,

Chicago adds new 311 code to report blocked bike lanes

Apr 3, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Helping the city identify hotspots for blocked bike lanes just got easier with an update to Chicago’s 311 system.

According to the Chicago Department of Transportation, the city has activated a new 311 category for residents to report vehicles blocking bike lanes:

“The City of Chicago has implemented a new 311 code so that people riding bikes can easily report a 'Vehicle Parking in a Bike Lane.' This information will be used by the City to identify hotspots and prioritize enforcement.

April events on the Lakefront Trail

Apr 3, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Active Transportation Alliance compiles a list of events happening each month along the Lakefront Trail. See what's going on in the month of April so you can better plan your walking, biking or running route. 

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

Saturday, April 8

Chi Town Half Marathon & 10k 
7 a.m.  

See our suburban pop-up events in action

Mar 28, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Last summer and fall, Active Trans partnered up with a handful of suburban Cook County municipalities to host pop-up complete streets events.

The events used everyday materials, such as duct tape, tar paper, plants and house paint to create temporary complete streets facilities – crosswalks, bicycle lanes, roundabouts and other features to slow down vehicle traffic and improve safety for people walking and bicycling.

After a few months in the editing room,