There's another dueling anti- / pro-Archer Avenue safe streets project tonight from 4-6 PM at 3868 S. Archer in Brighton Park. Here's a writeup of the last one we attended. @swcollectivechi.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org @chicritmass.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org

"fewer cars, less congested roads, more transit riders — have in turn produced a number of other effects that might more broadly be thought of as changes to quality of life. Readers described experiencing safer crosswalks, less stressful bike rides and what feels like cleaner air"

WATCH: Seriously, if you’re following ANY bike-lane debate, you HAVE TO WATCH this news story. You actually can’t make this up. Ford claims without evidence that bike-lanes are bad for small business, and THE ACTUAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION obliterates him with data. Safe bike-lanes mean business.

Update from our latest blog below: We will continue to aggressively engage the administration and City Council to ensure that Chicago residents benefit from the unprecedented local funding for safe streets that has transformed our street network since 2022. activetrans.org/blog/tell-ch...

✨please✨

We like (the proposal for express bus service on the) Ike! chi.streetsblog.org/2025/12/18/a... @atalliance.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social @chicagocta.bsky.social @ctaction.org @yonahfreemark.com

I wrote this piece for NABSA based on what we’re seeing with Divvy. Treating bikeshare as essential transportation & backing it up with real policy & investment has delivered results: higher ridership, system stability, stronger equity outcomes & stable pricing in Chicago nabsa.net/2025/12/18/d...

"Active Transportation Alliance Advocacy Director Jim Merrell said CDOT has repeatedly told advocates that flexible local bond funding allowed the department to rapidly deploy safety projects where they were most needed."

"Tiffany Cogell, executive director of the Boston Cyclist’s Union, told Mass Street Blog that the new bike lanes are “reducing crashes, improving predictability, and expanding mobility options without increasing congestion.” “Protected bike infrastructure works,” she said. "

An obit has been published for Sergio Maya, 34, killed on Sheridan by a driver cited for failure to reduce speed. "He was deeply loved and he fully extracted everything he could from his time on this planet." Fundraising page: www.spotfund.com/story/3c274d... @betterstreetschicago.org

Congrats again to our Advocate of the Year Valerie Kramer! Great article about her here:

Hey Chicago if you use the North Ave Corridor, especially between Kedzie and Kostner, please fill out this survey about the plans for corridor improvements: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HW52FV2

A once-in-a-generation investment that benefits everyone in our state. Today, I’m proud to sign the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act into law. Our new regional authority will modernize Illinois’ transit systems — and we’re doing it with no new statewide taxes.

Proud to be a tenacious environmental and transit advocate 🥹 NITA Act officially signed! This provides us the landmark investment and reforms to build the transit system Illinoisans deserve!

Live now! www.illinois.gov/about/live-v...

NITA reason to celebrate? Governor Pritzker signs the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act today at 10:30 AM at Union Station. Watch online here. www.illinois.gov/about/live-v... @atalliance.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org @stevevance.net @sidestreets.bsky.social @ctaction.org

Shout out to winter Divvy riders who’ve been braving extreme cold across Chicago: 12/13 (low 4°F): 3,242 rides 12/14 (low -1°F): 2,333 rides On my ride in this morning, it was 10°F but felt like -5°F and people were still out riding. Protected bike lanes on Grand Ave made it possible and safe!

Please email your alderman below to save Chicago's safe streets infrastructure funding. The cuts would be apocalyptic at 70% gone!

"City leaders have not only a moral obligation to prevent avoidable deaths on our streets, but also a fiscal one in this era of tight budgets. The economic costs of traffic crashes far exceed the price of building and maintaining a safe street network..."

"Why is Chicago building protected bike lanes? Nobody rides in them 6 months a year when it's cold here." Here's what we saw in the downtown Dearborn Street PBLs during a 4-minute bike ride on Wednesday 12/10 around 4 PM (not peak rush hour), when it was about 32F.

All right, Chicago Sustainable Transportation Nation, let's beat the drum on this issue! Active Trans: "Tell Chicago lawmakers: Don’t cut funding for safe streets." 🚶‍♀️ 🧑‍🦽 🚲 🚌 🥁 @atalliance.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org @bikegridnow.org @ctaction.org @daniellaspata.bsky.social @stevevance.net

"It frosts me that the streets are plowed well, and I’m going to have to walk in the street because you obviously think more of vehicles than you do human beings.” 1 death already may be attributable to uncleared bus stop. Surely negatively affects ridership too. chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...

​Right now, Chicago City Council is weighing drastic cuts to the very safety programs that have driven this unprecedented drop in severe injuries and fatalities on our streets — cuts that would mean more dangerous speeding, more violent crashes, and more families grieving loved ones taken too soon.

Vehicles with large driver-side blind zones are much more likely to strike crossing pedestrians while turning left than those with small blind zones. Auto design and street-level interventions that prioritize pedestrians can help create safer, calmer roads for all ➡️ buff.ly/e3N1qCv

"Chicago faces a choice: balance the budget by cutting the very projects that reduce crashes, injuries, and lawsuits, or treat safe streets as a core component of fiscal responsibility that saves lives and money."

Overview @davidzipper.bsky.social of how city DOTs can greenlight safety benefits for all road users with traffic signal technology. ROI on such intelligent transportation system #ITS investments are much higher than from roadway expansions. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

If you ever use Palmer Square, take this survey! The only major opposition to a road diet would be from St. Sylvester, which uses the center lane on the north side of the park as overflow parking on Sundays. But it's time for them to figure out their parking problem on their own.

Reminder that this is tonight at 6p. Signup link: www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-ct...

It's almost like more lanes and bigger cars isn't the answer 🤔

If you live or travel through Brighton Park on Archer, please let alderwoman Julia Ramirez know that this safety improvement is appreciated. Urge her to stick to her guns. The opposition is small but very loud. [email protected] 773-475-6783

We had an incredible time celebrating at our annual Alliance Member Party this week! Not only did we turn 40, but we also celebrated a huge win, the passage of the NITA Act to fix and fund transit! Blog recap here: https://activetrans.org/blog/members-gather-to-celebrate-40-years-and-a-big-win/

Very important! ATA: "With the current infrastructure bond set for a vote in the December 2025 or January 2026 City Council meeting, renewing it is vital to keep [Complete Streets] momentum going." @atalliance.bsky.social @stevevance.net @chicagocta.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social

We asked CDOT what’s on tap in terms of properly maintaining Chicago’s protected bike lanes after snowstorms. Promptly plowing is needed, or else they'll face arguments that riders were better off with old-style, paint-only bikeways. @atalliance.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org

Tuesday's fun Active Trans party celebrated the transit win, and also gave props to advocates and volunteers for Streets Calling, Bike the Drive, bus upgrades in Back of the Yards, Grassroots Empowerment Mission, and Bike Riverside. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/12/03/a... @atalliance.bsky.social

Check out our latest blog on Chicago’s infrastructure bond:

Thanks again to everyone who came out and joined us!

Unprotected bus lanes are not a solution when the problem is speeding drivers. It might even encourage more left-lane overtakers to travel at deadly speeds. The existing CDOT plan is designed to address the speeding problem and benefit bus riders with boarding islands and safer crossings.

Welcome to the #PlowTheSidewalks army Sean the delivery robot.

Chicago DOT- bike lanes are not plowed along Belmont east of Kimball. Cyclists are forced into vehicle travel lanes. We need to prioritize clearing snow for cyclists. Sidewalks are also a mess in this area. Let’s do better.

Noticed the article was quick to point out ridership declines from pre-pandemic but failed to mention ridership has increased significantly every year since 2020. Beyond that, for every $1 invested in the CTA, Metra, and Pace, the region sees $13 in economic output. Link: arxiv.org/html/2409.04...

If only the pros outweighed the cons.

Can't wait 👏

It's Giving Tuesday! Right now, more than ever, we need your support! From building a protected bike network to saving public transit in Illinois, your contribution helps drive change in Chicago and beyond. To donate head to: https://haku.ly/ecc3f58cda

Neil Holdway is creator of Suburban Chicago Bicycling site: suburbanchicagobicycling.com ATA blog post "A journalist’s [ex-Daily Herald] mission to make riding in the suburbs better." activetrans.org/blog/a-journ... @atalliance.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @starlinechicago.bsky.social

See y'all there!

"By taking additional steps to expand the Chicago region’s transit system, we find that the state could save $1.4 billion in average annual expenditures while also increasing the region’s affordability and economic competitiveness."

Join us Thursday for our Suburban Advocacy connect at 12! Neil Holdway, former Daily Herald Editor who now runs SuburbanChicagoBicycling.org, will be joining to share a run down of bikeway projects in the suburbs. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7RgDlEodQ1eYt0ogkDC6gQ#/

When bike paths are safe and easy to use, more people are likely to ride bikes, which helps keep everyone healthier and reduces healthcare costs.

New and newly relocated Divvy stations in the Loop! Getting closer to having a bikeshare station on every block with a bike lane in the Loop: 📍 Dearborn St & Madison St 📍 Dearborn St & Adams St 📍 Dearborn St & Washington St

"However, this year's report underscores that more work remains to be done. Slowing vehicle speeds and investing in safer intersections and crossings for pedestrians must remain key priorities in the year ahead," said Active Transportation Alliance Advocacy Manager Alex Perez