Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Active Transportation Alliance

The 79th Street Red Line station. Crowding on the #79 bus has been an issue during the pandemic. Photo: James Porter

South Siders sound off on transportation during COVID-19

By Courtney Cobbs | Jul 15, 2020 | No Comments

The Active Transportation Alliance recently released the first of a series of findings from a listening tour conducted with South Side elected officials and community leaders

Rush hour bus lanes installed on Chicago Avenue in River North last year. Photo: CDOT

3 weeks after CDOT discussed the idea, Chicago still lacks COVID bus lane plan

By James Porter | Jun 17, 2020 | No Comments

Chicago is lagging far behind peer cities when it comes to creating dedicated bus lanes, so that passengers spend less time time onboard, reducing their risk of viral exposure.

Better Streets Chicago is a new advocacy group with a pro-open streets agenda

By Imelda March | May 14, 2020 | No Comments

"We’ve been disappointed by the city's failure to take seriously the needs of Chicagoans get where they need to go while maintaining a safe distance from each other and from cars."

Walking and biking in Chicago's Douglas community area. Photo: John Greenfield

How do we promote efficient and equitable transportation during and after the pandemic?

By Imelda March | Apr 24, 2020 | No Comments

Audrey Wennink from the Metropolitan Planning Council and Lynda Lopez from Active Trans discuss what needs to be done to promote mobility justice during the pandemic, and prevent a spike in driving afterwards.

Increased walk/bike during the pandemic is an opportunity to improve our streets

By Courtney Cobbs | Apr 8, 2020 | No Comments

While Chicago has been closing trails and parks in response to crowding during the pandemic, we should be opening streets to make room for safe, socially-distanced recreation.

Active Trans discusses why it’s not pushing to reopen the Lakefront Trail during pandemic

By Sharon Hoyer | Apr 7, 2020 | No Comments

"We understand the mayor’s decision to close the Lakefront Trail and The 606, and it’s obviously a terrible situation."

Outgoing Active Trans interim director Melody Geraci announces the group's big goals at last week's awards ceremony. Photo: John Greenfield

Active Trans announces three “moonshot” goals for the next decade

By John Greenfield | Mar 9, 2020 | No Comments

The group wants a unified regional transit system; more bike and bus lanes, and car-free streets; and downtown congestion pricing to fund sustainable transportation.

Active Trans board president Peggy Reins and new executive director Amy Rynell. Photo: John Greenfield

Active Trans hires Amy Rynell, formerly of Heartland Alliance, as executive director

By John Greenfield | Mar 6, 2020 | No Comments

Transportation advocates of color had called for hiring a Black or Latino executive director. That didn't happen, but Rynell will be the group's first female head, and she has decades of experience working for social justice.

A King County Metro bus on 5th Avenue in Seattle. Photo: Seattle Department of Transportation

Seattle decreased solo driving commutes, and Chicago can too

By Courtney Cobbs | Feb 20, 2020 | No Comments

Thanks to transportation progressive policies, the number of commuters driving solo in the Seattle region dropped from 53 percent in 2010 to 44 percent in 2018. Chicago should learn from that example.

Quentin Road in the Dee Grove Forest Preserve. Image: Google Maps

Bloating Palatine’s Quentin Road from 2 to 5 lanes would make it more dangerous

By John Greenfield | Jan 27, 2020 | No Comments

Palatine officials are pushing for a road binge on the highway that runs through Deer Grove Forest Preserve. But residents, Active Trans, and nature advocacy groups point out that a three-lane layout would be safer.

Oboi Reed at the Equiticity launch party. Reed has called for the next head of Active Trans to be Black or Latinx, ideally a woman. Photo: John Greenfield

Some advocates say the next Active Trans director should be a person of color

By John Greenfield | Dec 11, 2019 | No Comments

The organization says it has made some mistakes when it comes to addressing the needs of Black and Latinx communities. Having a person of color in charge could help avoid such tunnel vision.

Preckwinkle at the Active Trans meeting. Photo: Active Trans

Preckwinkle at Active Trans meeting: The South Side Metra plan would promote racial equity

By John Greenfield | Dec 9, 2019 | No Comments

The Cook County board president discussed why the proposal is an example of an equitable initiative that focuses resources on communities that need them the most.

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