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LaSpata pledges to upgrade bus service in 1st ward

Aug 19, 2019 | by Julia Gerasimenko

To bring attention to the sluggishness of traveling by bus on Chicago’s streets, Active Trans is inviting aldermen on bus rides in their wards. Because, what better way to show elected officials the problems with Chicago bus service than getting them on a bus? That's what we did with 1st Ward Ald. Daniel LaSpata. While we were thrilled to spend some time with this newly elected alderman, he didn't need convincing that the city is desperately in need of faster, more reliable bus service. Indeed, bus ridership in Chicago fell a staggering 21 percent since 2012 and much of this drop happened on the city’s busiest routes, like #49 Western, which cuts through LaSpata's ward. Needless to say, slow and...

Tags: Advocacy, Chicago North Side, transit

Support needed for Dickens Avenue Greenway proposal

Aug 16, 2019 | by Julia Gerasimenko

Update [8/21/19]: Please note the venue for the August 22nd public meeting has been changed to Lincoln Park High School. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has proposed creating a neighborhood greenway on Dickens Avenue. This Thursday, August 22, is your chance to let CDOT and 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith know that the ward needs this project and more like it. While some residents have expressed their interest in this project, more voices are needed to ensure that this project is not derailed by local NIMBYs. Neighborhood greenways are low-stress streets that are designed to be safer and more comfortable for all users — people walking, bicycling, and driving. The streets are designed to be used by people of...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, Chicago North Side, Walking

Connecting Gompers and River Parks

Aug 15, 2019 | by Steve Simmons

Partnering with neighborhood organizations and residents to create better access to the Chicago River and safe connections between trails is a major focus of our Chicago River Trail campaign. Whether it's adding a trail along the river, building safe on-street connections, or even a floating a trail, there are many viable ways a continuous Chicago River Trail could be built. Recently, we joined the North River Commission and supporters on Chicago's Northwest Side on a walk to explore a potential on-street connection between trails at River Park (pictured) and the south end of the North Branch Trail extension in Gompers Park. This roughly two-mile stretch is one of five remaining areas that need to be connected via trail for the...

Tags: Advocacy, biking, chicago north west, Chicago River Trail, Walking

Paddling Chicago River between Irving Park and Diversey

Aug 1, 2019 | by Steve Simmons

An important part of our campaign for a continuous Chicago River Trail is understanding the nature of land along the river. Getting a sense of the riverbank and adjacent developments help us see how access to the river and connections to a future trail might be created. To get a better sense of the river edge from Belmont to Diversey, we recently partnered with Friends of the Chicago River on a canoe paddle to experience this area in person. It's part of our project to develop neighborhood-backed ideas for connecting two trails that'll be opening in the near future: the 312 RiverRun, which is on track to be completed in the fall of 2020, and the path at Lathrop Homes,...

Tags: Advocacy, biking, chicago north, Chicago River Trail, Walking

River trail coalition supports connected South Branch

Jul 17, 2019 | by Steve Simmons

The Chicago River Trail coalition is making sure local partners shape plans for better walking, biking and access to transit along the South Branch. Active Trans' campaign for a continuous river trail relies on the expertise of local partners to determine the location of trails and safe access points for people walking and biking. During a recent gathering at the Eleanor Street Boathouse (pictured) in Bridgeport, coalition members got behind a vision for safe walking and biking advanced by the South Branch Framework Plan, a year-long initiative led by the South Branch Park Advisory Council. We're excited the plan highlights several neighborhood-backed concepts that'll improve walking and biking between Pilsen, Bridgeport, and McKinley Park. Adding a riverfront trail that connects...

Tags: Advocacy, biking, Chicago River Trail, south branch, Walking

Take our survey to connect Belmont to Diversey via trail

Jul 10, 2019 | by Steve Simmons

Because trails are emerging quickly along the Chicago River, it's urgent we push for connections between them now so they will link people to jobs, shopping districts, and recreational opportunities. One place we're working to extend the Chicago River Trail is on the North Side between Belmont and Diversey Avenues. Two riverfront paths are on the verge of being completed here: the 312 RiverRun (see photo left) and Lathrop Homes trail. However, a one-mile gap between them will exist after these trails are built. And if you've ever walked or biked along Belmont Avenue near the river, you know how treacherous it can be for people walking and biking. It's inevitable that the number of people walking and biking in...

Tags: Advocacy, biking, Chicago North Side, Chicago River Trail, Walking

Advocates urge Lightfoot to explore congestion pricing

Jul 2, 2019 | by Kyle Whitehead

Active Trans joined a coalition of advocates in calling on Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to make the city’s ride-hailing fee more equitable and analyze possible congestion pricing options. In a letter sent to Mayor Lightfoot and relevant committee chairs, the group argues that changes to the fee structure would encourage more people using sustainable transportation options, such as shared rides, walking, bicycling, and public transit. Transportation is the leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the country. In Illinois, more than half of all emissions come from the Chicago area. Also signing the letter was the Metropolitan Planning Council, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Shared-Use Mobility Center, Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development, and Via ride-share service. HOW TO REFORM RIDE-HAILING AND...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, biking, Chicago, Chicago Central, Downtown, Equity, transit, Walking

Lincoln Park resident works for a safer Dickens Ave.

Jun 26, 2019 | by Kyle Whitehead

Stephanie Sims, a Lincoln Park resident and Active Trans Ambassador, is using her training to rally her neighbors to support the proposed Dickens Neighborhood Greenway. Sims is circulating a petition urging 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith to make the project a top priority. When Sims was recently trained to be an Active Trans Ambassador, she learned the ins and outs of organizing support for walking, bicycling, and public transit improvements in her neighborhood. If you live in the 43rd Ward, you can sign Stephanie's petition today. Use Active Trans' legislator lookup tool to confirm you ward. Interested in becoming an Active Trans Ambassador in your community? Sign up for our last training of the summer on July 24. Neighborhood greenways...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, biking, Chicago North Side, Walking

Enhancing Lake Calumet area connections

Jun 25, 2019 | by Matt Gomez

Getting around in the communities surrounding Lake Calumet on Chicago's Far South Side is an enormous challenge without a car. A lack of public transit options, few bicycle trails, and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure make traveling without a car between communities like Riverdale, Roseland, and Pullman frustrating and often risky. Obstacles like heavy industry, highways, rail tracks, and waterways cut off most of these neighborhoods from neighboring communities. The good news is that solid ideas have been developed for improving the walking, biking, and transit connections between these places. Improving these connections would not only boost transportation and recreation options for residents, but also would advance economic development by attracting tourism and connecting people to new commercial centers. Earlier this month,...

Tags: Advocacy, Trails

Ron Burke to step down as head of Active Trans

Jun 17, 2019 | by Kyle Whitehead

After nearly nine years with the Active Transportation Alliance, Ron Burke will step down from his role as the organization’s executive director next month. During Burke’s tenure, Active Trans contributed to many victories, from the growth of Chicago’s advanced bike lane network and launch of Divvy bikeshare, to the creation of separate biking and walking trails on the lakefront, introduction of dedicated bus lanes, and expansion of suburban trails. Active Trans also had wins in Springfield during Burke’s tenure, including legislation requiring K-8 public schools to teach biking and walking education and the recent passage of a state capital bill that includes $50 million annually for walking and bicycling projects. "Under Ron’s leadership, Active Trans has become a more visible...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, biking, Education, Lakefront Trail, legislation, Planning, Trails, transit, Walking

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