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The future of sustainable transportation needs you today

May 20, 2020 | by Julie Strand

Today Active Trans is hosting its first-ever Giving Day. If you are able to support Active Trans during this time of great need, you can get a couple of one-of-a-kind perks, including access to our Virtual Fifth Third Bike the Drive, being held this Sunday. The unexpected cancellation of our annual bike ride on Lakeshore Drive — which accounts for roughly half of our operating revenue — is putting our advocacy work in peril at a time when it’s more vital than ever. Indeed, sustainable transportation is facing an important moment. If we don't take bold steps to make walking and biking safe and welcoming, traffic will exponentially increase as travel restrictions begin to ease. If nothing is done, inevitably...

Tags: covid-19, Events

Thanks to all who joined our 2020 Awards Reception

Mar 13, 2020 | by Ted Villaire

A big thank you to all the people who attended our 2020 Awards Reception. Your support enabled the event to be a great success! And if you participated in the event’s paddle raise or silent auction, extra kudos to you. Thanks to our friend Kye Martin of NBC Chicago, who served as the master of ceremonies as we honored John Buck, the Coalition for a Modern Metra Electric, State Rep. Theresa Mah, and Streetsblog Chicago. See more photos of the event on Flickr (photos courtesy of Steven Gross). John Buck accepts the Visionary Leadership Award, presented by Interim Active Trans Executive Director Melody Geraci. Andrea Reed (left) and Linda Thisted accept the Community Leadership Award for the Coalition...

Tags: Advocacy, Events

Lessons learned engaging residents and students in Aurora

Feb 14, 2020 | by Active Trans

When trying to spread the word about the need for better transportation options, local advocates often put their energy into public events. Indeed, engaging community members person-to-person is an excellent way to build public visibility and grow more community support. By building community support, elected officials are more likely to invest in infrastructure that is safe and comfortable for people walking and biking. Unfortunately, however, things don’t always pan out the way you had hoped. Last fall, advocates from the western suburb of Aurora organized two public awareness events designed to create conversations within the community about the role of biking and bicycle safety. One of the events proved to be a success and the other…well, it didn't go great....

Tags: Bicycling, Events, South Suburbs

Longtime supporter has made her mark on local cycling

Jul 3, 2019 | by Active Trans

Even if you don’t personally know Kathy Schubert, there’s a good chance you’ve seen her riding around Chicago or volunteering at an Active Transportation Alliance event. That’s because she not only puts on a lot of miles during the year — 6,000 is her record — but you tend to get noticed when you bike around town or across entire states with a miniature schnauzer riding in your basket. Suzy, her former riding companion, isn’t Schubert’s only claim to fame however. For the past 20 plus years, Schubert (pictured) has been an active commuter, enthusiastic recreational cyclist, and a staunch advocate for safety. She is a founding member of the Chicago Cycling Club, joined Active Trans when it was still...

Tags: Bicycling, Chicago, Events

Clif Bar helps Active Trans get more people biking

Jun 25, 2019 | by Active Trans

Getting around Chicago on a bike is not as daunting as it seems. That’s what Linor Vaknin learned when she became involved in Active Trans’ annual Bike to Work competition (going on now and continuing until the end of the week). Prior to the event, biking on Chicago streets was out of the question for her. Too hectic, too scary. Then, during the Bike to Work competition in 2010, Linor (pictured left) saw throngs of people safely biking on Chicago’s streets. She met people who were having fun while contributing to a healthier, more sustainable city. “I remember feeling super-energized by the event,” said Linor, a marketing manager for Clif Bar. “People were cheering each other on. I felt a...

Tags: Bicycling, Events

Support for biking to school pays off in Palatine

May 28, 2019 | by Active Trans

What started in Palatine with a single school and about 30 kids in 2003 is now an annual spring affair expanded to 13 public and private schools and 1,300 students. Bike to School Day, held the first Wednesday in May, is now a community-wide effort in Palatine. The success of the event is due to various groups — PTAs, a local bike shop, and school administrators — pulling together creatively to urge students to cycle and to do it safely. But much of the success is due to the work of the Bike Palatine Club over the years, and specifically the efforts of club vice-president Gail Artrip (pictured below). Gail initiated the event in 2003 at Pleasant Hill School, which...

Tags: Bicycling, Events, kids, North Suburbs

Get ready for Fifth Third Bike the Drive on May 26

Mar 29, 2019 | by Clare McDermott

Notice anything different? MB Financial Bank recently merged with Fifth Third Bank, and Active Trans is thrilled to announce this new partnership. Welcome to Fifth Third Bike the Drive ! Participants will still enjoy a car-free Lake Shore Drive and experience all the magical moments that this event has become famous for. Join this iconic two-wheeled celebration on May 26 and feel proud knowing that you're supporting efforts to make biking, walking and transit safe and easy options for getting around Chicagoland. Since 2010, MB Financial Bank has served as the title sponsor of Active Trans’ marquee event. Along with its support, the event has grown into one of the nation's best and largest organized bike rides. Active Trans is...

Tags: Bicycling, Events

Using balance bikes to build relationships in Elgin

Jan 3, 2019 | by Maggie Melin Czerwinski

A group of advocates in Elgin is working to advance the city’s decade-old bike plan and boost bike access for children in low-income parts of the town.Elgin Bike Hub is a non-profit organization working for better biking in the northwest suburban city that straddles both Cook and Kane counties. The group is pushing for the community’s nearly ten-year-old Bikeway Plan to be updated and revised as an active transportation plan that prioritizes equity. The updated plan would map out the community’s vision of a connected and equitable network of low-stress bikeways, trails, sidewalks and transit access.Using a mini-grant from Active Trans’ Bike Walk Every Town suburban advocacy campaign, the Elgin Bike Hub purchased four balance bikes (bikes without pedals that...

Tags: Advocacy, Bicycling, Education, Events, North Suburbs

Bike Week grants inspire events around the city

Jul 16, 2018 | by Julia Gerasimenko

Active Trans was thrilled to be able to offer financial support to bring Bike Week into additional communities throughout Chicago this year. Thanks to financial support from Google, Active Trans provided four grants to community groups so that they could host Bike Week encouragement and educational events. The North River Commission -- serving the Albany Park, Irving Park, North Park and Mayfair communities -- held several educational and encouragement events while partnering with local bike shops, Bikes N Roses and Tailwind Cycles. NRC was able to borrow a bus bike rack from the CTA so that folks could practice securing their own bikes to the front of a CTA bus rack without the added stress of holding up a crowded bus....

Tags: Advocacy, biking, Chicago North Side, Chicago South Side, Chicago West & Southwest Side, Events

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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