Tag Archives: biking

Taking the safe streets fight to D.C.

Sep 10, 2019 | by Barb Cornew

While transportation may not be the biggest issue in national politics this year, members of Congress do understand how important it is for their constituents to be able to get where they need to go. Active Trans worked with advocates from across the Chicago region to meet with their members of Congress during the summer recess. We discussed how to work together on a national agenda for safer streets and more reliable public transit. Personal connections and local stories go a long way with elected officials in D.C. Citizens from Park Ridge, Evanston, Des Plaines, Chicago, Elk Grove, Schaumburg, Elgin, Downers Grove and Wheaton met with U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Chuy Garcia, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mike Quigley, Sean Casten, and Brad...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, biking, legislation, transit, Walking

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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

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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

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Take our survey for better walking & biking on Riverwalk & Wacker Dr.

Jul 24, 2019 | by Steve Simmons

Because the Chicago River has emerged as one of the city's premier destinations, it's important we improve walking and biking along the river so that all Chicagoans can safely enjoy it. That's exactly what's happening in our project to identify and push for walking and biking upgrades along the Riverwalk and Upper Wacker Dr. on the Main Branch of the Chicago River. The study area starts at the intersection of the Riverwalk and the Lakefront Trail, and runs the entire length of the Riverwalk west to Lake Street and includes existing bike routes between Randolph to the south and Illinois St. to the north. This is where we'd love your input. Are you familiar with this area? Do you live,...

Tags: biking, Chicago River Trail, Main Branch, Riverwalk, Upper Wacker Drive, Walking

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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

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Victory for sustainable transportation in Lake County

Jul 11, 2019 | by Steve Simmons

Update: July 12, 2019: The Illinois Tollway announced that it's ending the environmental impact study of a Route 53 extension, effectively dropping the project for the fourth time since it was identified in a regional transportation plan in 1962. __________________________________ In a major victory for walking, biking, and transit, the Lake County Board unanimously removed language supporting the Route 53 highway extension from its strategic plan. We're pleased the Lake County Board will now focus on developing a "modern, multimodal, and comprehensive transportation plan" and will partner with members to develop it. Active Trans has long opposed highway expansion in the Chicago region because it encourages more driving, harms the environment, and makes it harder for people to walk and...

Tags: biking, Lake County, public transit, Walking

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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

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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

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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

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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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