Getting Around Town: The Active Transportation Alliance

By Staff in News on Apr 25, 2011 6:40PM

Among soaring gas prices and looming environmental concerns, a growing number of Chicagoans are walking, biking, and/or taking mass transit to lessen the carbon footprint, reduce spending, and improve health. When maintaining a vehicle costs an estimated $8,000 per year, car owners are considering using mass transit coupled with car-sharing programs like I-GO for weekend getaways or shopping trips. There are an abundance of healthy options to get around town, but the alternatives are not always safe and accessible.

The Active Transportation Alliance, Chicago’s voice for better biking, walking, and transit, aims to make bicycling, walking and public transit safe, convenient, and enjoyable. Ultimately, they'd like to “achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. We advocate for transportation that encourages and promotes safety, physical activity, health, recreation, social interaction, equity, environmental stewardship and resource conservation.”

Active Trans. provides support to communities throughout Chicagoland. In the Better Blocks program, the alliance works with neighborhoods to make walking and biking safer and easier. Furthermore, Active Trans. advocates for legislation, like SB 1258 which would use state motor fuel tax revenue for sustainable transportation improvements in transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects.

To support Active Trans. and their initiatives, sign up for Bike The Drive on May 29. For $5 off registration, enter code CHICAGOIST5. To learn more about Active Trans. and sign up for membership, visit their website.

— Elisa Revello