ATA, is it too city focused?

Dear Active Transportation Alliance,

 

I ride my bike every day. I walk most days. I use transit. And I have been in Chicago less than five times this year. I am an active transportation user.

 

I was very excited when CBF became ATA. I thought maybe, just maybe, the new organization would focus a little more on the many transportation issues in the suburbs. Now after three years as ATA, I have seen little change.

 

Wouldn't it be nice to not have to get up at 3am to drive a car 30 miles to bike on a deserted highway (how ironic)? I love Bike the Drive. But I would love an event closer to me even more.

 

Wouldn't it be nice if someone at ATA recognized that Chicago's mayoral election isn't the only big political story in the year? We now have lots of new Congressmen in the suburbs who I understand are trying to slash funding for biking. I didn't hear a peep about our congressional races from ATA.

 

Now I understand that the CMAQ funds for the next five years have been allocated all in one fell swoop. And the City of Chicago got more than 3/4 of the money for bike/ped projects. Wow, I take it back. This new mayor of yours is no wimp. Why do I mention this in a rant about Active Trans? Well, because it appears as though ATA's own Randy Neufeld is on at least two of the committees that decide on this money. And their new Executive Director, Ron Burke, is on at least one of the committees. Dear ATA - protected bikes lanes will work in my community just as well as in Chicago.

 

I'm sure that ATA will respond to this post with lots of good things they are doing in the suburbs. But my humble opinion is it isn't enough. What do you think?

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Permalink Reply by carl whetherspoon on July 27, 2011 at 5:24am

dang, sounds pretty good ATA.

 

Also, i would think that the spread out nature of the suburbs contributes to the perception that aTA is not active in the burbs. living / working in Chicago it is a lot easier to encounter great ATA works daily.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Eduardo on July 27, 2011 at 5:48am

Any idea when the routes on the Northwest Municipal Bike Plan will be started/finished?

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on July 27, 2011 at 8:53am

10-4, Chainlinkers! (2-hour response time)

 

Thanks,


Ethan, with Active Trans

 

h333 said:

Yeah, but we need to improve that response time-- we'll be running a series of drills over the next few weeks-- when you see a new thread criticizing any of our various midwestern advocacy orgs, please just treat it as a real thread. Thanks.


carl whetherspoon said:

dang, sounds pretty good ATA.

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on July 27, 2011 at 8:55am

*Like*

 

We agree, LIB's work, our work, how we partner and how involved suburban citizens are all play a part in making connections and opportunities.

 

Thanks, Gina.

 

Ethan, with Active Trans

 

Gina Kenny said:

I agree that the south suburbs do definitely need help to become more bike friendly. I grew up in Chicago Ridge and have lived in Orland Park for 10 years. I do bike quite frequently for transit, including taking my son to pre-school and summer camp. But, I would be lying if I said it is easy to get everywhere I want to go by bike. I also work for the League of Illinois Bicyclists, worked for ATA on their Southland Footprints program and helped out when they were revising their map with the some of the south suburb sections. Are ATA and LIB doing work in the south suburbs? Yes. Would I like ATA and LIB to do more in the south suburbs? Definitely. However, I realize that ATA is a regional organization and that LIB is a state-wide organization and that the south suburbs is just part of both.

 

I do think it is helpful to that you are voicing your opinion; although, I'm thinking it would have been better if you contacted ATA first. I also think it would be helpful if you take an active role in helping the southland become more bike friendly. Does your town already have a bike task force? If so, volunteer to be on it or ask your community to start one. Are you a member of ATA, LIB and other bike advocacy groups? Do you volunteer for them? As others have mentioned, Steve Butchel is the south suburban coordinator. He has contacted me several times to help out with bike events in the Southland. He can always use more help. I have attended quite a few events this year for LIB as well as helping out ATA. LIB has also had board members attend a few events. But, there have also been several events where I have been unable to find a volunteer.

 

Please feel free to contact myself at gina@bikelib.org or (708) 334-2244.  I would love to talk with you about how we can make the Southland one of the most bike-friendly places around.

-Gina

 

Gina Kenny
LCI# 2446
Program Manager
League of Illinois Bicyclists
gina@bikelib.org
(708) 334-2244
http://www.bikelib.org/
www.facebook.com/bikeLIB
Making Illinois a land of safe and enjoyable bicycling for all; promoting bicycle access, education and safety.

Permalink Reply by Bernard Joseph Hannigan on July 27, 2011 at 12:37pm
ATA just started working with the City of Berwyn this spring, I expect great things from their input on making Berwyn more cyclist and pedestrian friendly. I will tell you this, as a cyclist and active member of our community, I am already whispering in the ears of elected officials here to create some outstanding cycling events in the future...These things take time AND your involvement to get them done.
Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on July 28, 2011 at 6:04am

Active Trans worked with the Northwest Municipal Conference to complete the 2010 Bicycle Plan and we continue to work closely with NWMC Staff and the NWMC Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee on plan implementation. 

 

The NWMC Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee meets monthly and is currently working on two implementation projects funded through the Cook County Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) Model Communities Program; a scoping/feasibility study for Northwest Highway and a Regional Bicycle Signage Plan. 

 

Municipalities in the northern suburbs are also working to install routes.  Hoffman Estates received funding through CPPW to install bicycle signs on routes identified in the NWMC plan.  These signs are scheduled to be installed this month. 

 

Additionally, as Ron Burke mentioned above, the CMAQ program funded over $4 Million toward projects prioritized by the NWMC plan. 

 

While there is no sure way to guarantee funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, the NWMC Plan and the current work of their Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee is a model for the region. 

 

Thanks,

Paul Lippens, Active Trans



Eduardo Acosta said:

Any idea when the routes on the Northwest Municipal Bike Plan will be started/finished?

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