Progress Illinois

For almost 25 years, Windy City cyclists have relied on the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to promote bike safety and advocate for bike-friendly public policy. Now those that use mass transit or their own two feet to traverse the region can call the 6,100-member organization an ally as well.

Earlier this month, the Federation officially changed its name to the Active Transportation Alliance (ATA), a move that emphasizes the organization’s widening scope. “The board had seen this connection between bicycle advocacy … and how it directly affects pedestrians and transit users,” said Margo O’Hara, ATA’s director of communications, “and how taking a broader approach will help bicyclists even more.”

Here’s the new mission statement:

The mission of Active Transportation Alliance is to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will 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.

Adding transit into the mix will keep ATA busy. Not only are the budget woes and infrastructure needs of the CTA and RTA constant concerns, but the federal transportation bill—which sets the transportation budget for the next six years—will be reauthorized in 2009. O’Hara says pressuring lawmakers to devote enough capital to cycling, transit, and pedestrian projects will be a “huge priority.”

In the meantime, ATA intends to grow its membership and improve its programming. Check out their blog here.