"In the ’60s and ’70s, ordinary Chicagoans helped galvanize a national revolt against freeway expansionism. Today, ordinary Chicagoans on the Northwest Side are coalescing around Witchek and Franke’s vision for a trail that would connect neighborhoods across a broad swath of the city"

"The coalition will work to help convert the city’s elevated railroad in Midtown into a multi-use trail that will be part of the Marquette Greenway, which runs from Chicago to New Buffalo, Michigan"

Time to get Intelligent Speed Assistance devices to stop super speeders in Illinois too!

Chicago residents: there's a program that gives free bikes to people who meet certain criteria. www.chicago.gov/city/en/site...

"One 2024 study found that when we add up all the urbanized land currently we devote to roads — much of which could be easily rededicated to building housing — we're sacrificing an astonishing $4.1 trillion, or 22 percent of American gross domestic product."

Do you want better transportation options in the region? Head to our site to check out some actions you can take that are offered by our partners: activetrans.org/our-work/adv...

Get inspired for Bike Month in May activetrans.org/blog/get-ins...

Nearly 10,000 Divvy rides yesterday (1/12/26), despite a low of 27°F. Chicagoans don’t stop biking just because it’s cold 🚲

Some more fun Chicago bike infrastructure updates - Ainslie Arts Plaza is open with seating and a concrete WALL protected bike lane with the turn of Lincoln into Ainslie. Another win from @andrefor40th.bsky.social! #bikechi

In May 2024, Steve Bender was biking on a two-lane road in Chicago's south suburbs when a driver struck him from behind and killed him. After the motorist was merely cited for failure to reduce speed, Bender's family wants stricter Illinois traffic laws.

"Schultz said "instead of just “flooding the system” with more police, CTA safety improvements should focus on the transit ambassadors program that was included in the recently-passed Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act."

Bike parking corrals can function as curb extensions when placed in the daylight zone of intersections. They improve sightlines, shorten pedestrian crossings & slow turning vehicles. CDOT has been installing these citywide this winter ahead of peak riding season 2026.

South Loop Bike Lane Project Paused, Some Lanes Removed As Officials Reassess blockclubchicago.org/2026/01/09/s... “The intersection was working pretty well, and drivers were taking turns slowly and cautiously, which is the point of a protected intersection design."

🚲 We’re hiring! Love biking and community engagement? Join us as a SAFE Ambassador and help make Chicago streets safer and more fun for everyone. Apply today and be part of the movement! 👉 https://activetrans.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a2di6llhy5q5/aa0

Herald: "A trailer bill tweaking some parts of state’s transit rescue bill could surface when the General Assembly reconvenes, legislative leaders [including Villivalam, Delgado, Deputy governor Bria Scudder] said Wednesday at a City Club Chicago forum." www.dailyherald.com/20260107/tra...

Have input for Chicago's Better Streets for Buses Plan? The Bus Priority Corridor Study is exploring ways to make bus travel faster, more convenient, and more comfortable for riders. Tap the link below to provide input www.menti.com/algv7baftywz

"Can we then assume that crash deaths will fall as AVs scale? No, we cannot. The reason is that self-driving cars are poised to increase driving — and thus create more opportunities for collisions. As Koopman put it: “Civilized countries look at car deaths per capita instead of car deaths per mile.”

Don't forget to take the Cook County Rail Infill Station Study survey (and put dots for Metra infill stations in Humboldt Park!) cook-rail-survey-hntbcorp.hub.arcgis.com

I really hope this can stimulate a larger conversation about how inaccessible our sidewalks are, rather than just devolving into a (not totally misplaced) dislike for these things.

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/