Tag Archives: Bicycling

Businesses benefit when employees bike to work

Jun 21, 2018 | by Barb Cornew

The Bike to Work Challenge is one of Active Trans' longest-running and most beloved events. The two-week-long challenge, which started on June 15 and lasts until June 29, gives workplaces throughout Chicagoland an opportunity to go up against one another in a friendly competition. Workplaces compete by earning points and getting the most employees riding to work during the week (a bike commute can mean a full or partial bike trip). The event, presented this year by Keating Law Offices, is a great way to improve health among employees, enhance organizational camaraderie and promote sustainability. As part of this year’s challenge, Active Trans is excited to recognize members of the inaugural Bike to Work Challenge Advisory Group.  Members of the...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling

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Sign the petition for a Chicago Bike Walk Fund

Jun 18, 2018 | by Active Trans

After a flurry of new construction from 2011 to 2015, the growth of Chicago’s networks of protected bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets has unfortunately slowed down. Chicago installed 15.9 miles of new bikeways (including one mile of protected bike lanes) in 2017, down from a peak of 39.5 new miles of bikeways in 2014. Progress on safer streets is clearly lagging despite growing support among Chicagoans and our elected officials for creating streets that protect the most vulnerable users on foot and bike.  This lack of forward momentum is also evident in the city's Vision Zero plan, which has set a goal to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries among people walking, biking and driving. Without dedicated funding for the plan,...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, Chicago Central, Chicago North Side, Chicago South Side, Chicago West & Southwest Side, Chicago West Side

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Crowdsourcing for safer bike lanes

Jun 13, 2018 | by Maya Norris

The new bicycling infrastructure taking root in Chicago has done much for the city’s reputation as a great place for biking. Building on that reputation is getting named by Bicycling magazine as the best US city for bicycling in 2016. But there is a major problem that has been cutting into this status — and it’s not a minor issue: drivers parking in bike lanes. This widespread phenomenon is not only inconvenient, it’s dangerous. Seeing this pervasive problem prompted Christina Whitehouse to create Bike Lane Uprising, a website that allows people to report bike lane obstructions by posting photos and factual details on a map. Launched in August 2017, Bike Lane Uprising seeks to make bicycling safer by streamlining the...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling

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Celebrate Lakefront Trail improvements with us

Jun 8, 2018 | by Active Trans

For more than 30 years, Active Trans has been working to make the Lakefront Trail safer and easier to use. In the past year or so, parts of the trail have taken a quantum leap forward in terms of safety and comfort. But as you probably know, work still needs to be done. Join us on June 28 at Theater on the Lake as we celebrate the newly separated trails for people on foot and on bikes. Hear from advocates and city leaders about how the project is going and what’s needed to push it across the finish line. The happy hour event is at the newly renovated Theater on the Lake and will feature drinks from Revolution Brewing, light...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, Lakefront Trail, Walking

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Biking & walking safety education bill on home stretch

May 31, 2018 | by Active Trans

Every day in Illinois, an average of 5 kids are hit by drivers of motor vehicles within one block of a school, and more are hit beyond the school zones. A bill that would help address this tragic daily occurrence while encouraging more walking and biking has passed the Illinois Senate and now heads to Governor Bruce Rauner for approval. The Bike Walk Education in Schools Act (HB4799) requires K-8 schools to provide biking and walking safety education. Illinois’ School Code requires automobile safety education, but currently there isn’t a requirement for providing instruction on how to bike and walk safely. State lawmakers have heard from hundreds of people who support this bill. Kudos to Rep. Sonya Harper and Sen....

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, Education, Walking

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June events on the Lakefront Trail

May 31, 2018 | by Active Trans

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 June so you can better plan your walking, biking or running route. This month will be busy! For regular updates about the Lakefront Trail, follow our Lakefront Trail Twitter page and the #chiLFT hashtag. NOTE: For updates on the Lakefront Trail separation construction, visit the Chicago Park District’s page. Construction is beginning on the current Lakefront Trail between Foster and Montrose. Durring this project, people biking and walking both will be diverted to the newly constructed path, which will eventually become the bike path. Click here for the detour map of the North side. A small section of...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, Chicago Central, Chicago North Side, Chicago South Side, Lakefront Trail, Walking

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Take our survey to improve walking & biking on Logan Blvd.

May 29, 2018 | by Steve Simmons

Did you know that 17 of the Chicago River's 27 miles will have trails by the end of 2018? With trails taking shape as quickly as they are, it's urgent we push for improvements that create safe walking and biking options for accessing the river. One area where we're working on better access to the Chicago River Trail is on Logan Blvd. from Rockwell Ave. to Lathrop Homes. If you've ever biked or walked along this stretch, you know how perilous it can be for people walking and biking. This is where we'd love your input. Are you familiar with this part of Logan? Do you live, commute through or shop in this area? What changes would you like to see?...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, Chicago North Side, Walking, West Suburbs

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May events on the Lakefront Trail

May 4, 2018 | by Active Trans

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. This month will be busy! For regular updates about the Lakefront Trail, follow our Lakefront Trail Twitter page and the #chiLFT hashtag. NOTE: For updates on the Lakefront Trail separation construction, visit the Chicago Park District’s page. A small section of the lakefront trail between Chicago Ave. and Ontario St. has been affected by recent storm damage. The pedestrian portion of the trail in this area is open for both foot and bike traffic. Repairs will be made when weather allows in the spring....

Tags: Bicycling, Chicago Central, Chicago North Side, Chicago South Side, Lakefront Trail, Walking

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Have fun. Enjoy the ride.

Apr 30, 2018 | by Active Trans

Chicago’s biggest cycling event is back and better than ever for its seventeenth year! This year, MB Bike the Drive will be held on Sunday, May 27. Enjoy nearly 5 hours of car-free riding on the city’s scenic Lake Shore Drive, which will be closed to all auto traffic for the event. A post-ride festival including live music, giveaways and breakfast (pancakes, anyone?) will take place from 8 a.m. to Noon in Butler Field. This unique event is open to riders of all ages and skill levels, making it a perfect event for the family. And if you're a seasoned cyclist looking for a challenge, you can snag a special bib at packet pick-up to become a 30 Mile Challenge participant and...

Tags: Bicycling, Events

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Small group rides offered this summer

Apr 30, 2018 | by Active Trans

Do you love scenic bike rides but wish you could stop to learn more about the hidden gems Chicagoland has to offer? New for summer 2018, Active Trans brings you Pedal Chicagoland, our small group ride series! We will take you through some of Chicagoland’s most treasured spots via bike at a casual, no-drop pace. These one-of-a-kind experiences are open to cyclists of all skill levels. Check out the available group rides below: Visit some of Chicago’s most interesting and spectacular water fountains Date: Sunday August 5, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Guide: Greg Borzo, author of Where to Bike Chicago, Chicago’s Fabulous Fountains and other books. You’ll learn the unique stories of these fountains within the broader history of Chicago, while enjoying...

Tags: Bicycling, Events

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