FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Ted Villaire
Active Transportation Alliance
[email protected]
(312) 563-1118
Active Transportation Alliance Celebrates 40 Years by Unveiling Bold Visions for Chicago’s Sustainable Transportation Future at Movers & Shakers Ball
Chicago, IL — April 25, 2025 — For more than a century, Chicago has been a city defined by innovation — from the 1893 World’s Fair to the invention of the skyscraper, and pioneering advancements in transportation. As the region faces new mobility challenges, the Active Transportation Alliance is calling on Chicagoans to embrace a bold, sustainable vision for the future.
On May 2, the annual Movers & Shakers Ball will celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary with the unveiling of “Sustainable Transportation in the Chicago of Tomorrow,” a one-of-a-kind exhibition at Walden Chicago. The event will showcase transformative proposals from leading architects, planners, engineers, and designers — demonstrating that practical solutions can also be visionary.
Exhibits will explore ideas such as transforming alleyways into vibrant community spaces, creating street networks designed for rickshaws to solve first-and-last-mile transit issues, and revitalizing the city’s historic boulevards. Other concepts include rethinking CTA transit stations to address the unique mobility needs of women and envisioning the Chicago River as a vital transit artery with kayak-sharing and water taxis integrated with existing public transit and bike networks.
Among the firms featured are Ross Barney Architects, Civiltech Engineering, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, PORT Architecture & Urbanism, and MKSK. One exhibit, inspired by Barcelona’s superblocks, imagines car-free districts where walking, biking, and micro-mobility take center stage—reducing emissions and reclaiming space for people.
“Chicago has always been a city that leads with vision and courage. The ideas on display prove that we don’t have to settle for a transportation system that is inequitable, polluting, and dangerous,” said Amy Rynell, Executive Director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “We have the talent, creativity, and willpower to build a region where everyone can move safely, affordably, and sustainably. This is our call to action — to reimagine what’s possible and to lead the way.”
Guests will enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails, and live entertainment, while connecting with leaders and advocates who are shaping the next era of transportation in Chicago.
All proceeds from the event will support the Active Transportation Alliance’s mission to advance walking, biking, and transit throughout the region.
Tickets are available at activetrans.org/ball.
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About the Active Transportation Alliance
The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that champions walking, bicycling and public transit to create healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities. For 40 years, the organization has worked to build a movement around active transportation, encourage physical activity, increase safety, and build a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance has more than 20,0000 members and supporters in the Chicago region. For more information about the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.