Active Transportation Alliance

Active Transportation Alliance
Name	Active Transportation Alliance
Formation	1985
Type	Nonprofit advocacy organization
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois
Region served	Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois
Leader title	Executive Director

Active Transportation Alliance is a nonprofit advocacy organization based in Chicago, Illinois, focused on promoting cycling, walking, and transit-oriented transportation options. It engages in public policy advocacy, community organizing, research, and public education to advance safer streets, increased mobility, and equitable transportation access across the Chicago metropolitan area, Cook County, Illinois, and the state of Illinois. The organization collaborates with civic groups, municipal agencies, and national coalitions to influence projects and legislation related to active travel and sustainable mobility.

History

Founded in 1985 as the Bicycle Federation of Greater Chicago (later rebranded), the organization emerged during a period of urban transportation reform alongside groups such as Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and League of American Bicyclists. Early work paralleled initiatives in cities like Portland, Oregon and Minneapolis that advanced urban bikeway networks. Through the 1990s and 2000s the group responded to regional developments including the expansion of Metra services, debates over Lakefront Trail (Chicago) management, and implementation of federal programs such as the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. The rebranding to its current name reflected a widening focus beyond bicycling to include pedestrian and transit advocacy, connecting to national trends embodied by organizations like Smart Growth America and Transportation Alternatives.

Mission and Advocacy

The organization's mission centers on improving conditions for bicycling and walking, increasing public transit access, and promoting equitable mobility. Advocacy priorities include safe street design that implements concepts from the Complete Streets movement, adoption of Vision Zero principles, and support for funding mechanisms such as Congestion pricing debates and local sales tax referenda for transit capital. Policy positions frequently engage with municipal bodies like the Chicago City Council, regional agencies such as the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), and state entities including the Illinois General Assembly. The group also monitors federal policy through engagement with offices in Washington, D.C. and programs of the Federal Highway Administration.

Programs and Campaigns

Programs encompass infrastructure campaigns, safety education, and active transportation promotion. High-profile campaigns have advocated for protected bike lane networks, safer intersections influenced by road diet implementations, and expanded bus rapid transit corridors. Public-facing initiatives include mass-participation events similar to Bike to Work Day, education programs for youth modeled on curricula from Safe Routes to School, and employer partnership programs comparable to Commuter Benefits efforts. Research and mapping projects utilize data parallel to work by National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and Urban Land Institute to prioritize investment corridors and track crash data aligned with the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

Policy Impact and Achievements

The organization has contributed to measurable policy victories in the Chicago region, including adoption of city-level bicycle master plan elements, expansion of protected lanes on major arterials, and influence on transit funding decisions. Collaborations helped shape municipal ordinances tied to helmet laws, parking reforms, and curbside management in coordination with the Chicago Department of Transportation. Advocacy contributed to state-level appropriations for trails and multi-use paths that linked to projects with organizations like Forest Preserve District of Cook County and Metropolitan Planning Organization initiatives. Its work on safety campaigns supported municipal commitments to Vision Zero action plans, leading to design changes informed by standards in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Organizational Structure and Funding

The organization operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with a board of directors, professional staff, and volunteer base. Leadership roles have included executive directors and policy directors who coordinate campaigns, research, and community outreach. Funding sources include foundation grants from entities akin to the McCormick Foundation, corporate sponsorships, individual memberships, and project grants linked to federal programs such as the Transportation Alternatives Program. Financial oversight aligns with nonprofit practices shared by peer organizations including Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and League of American Bicyclists.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

Active partnerships span municipal agencies, neighborhood organizations, labor groups, and regional coalitions. The group has collaborated with the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Cook County Board of Commissioners, and civic organizations like Open Streets programs and local chapters of the American Planning Association. Engagement strategies include public workshops, participatory planning processes used by the Project for Public Spaces, and coalition-building with equity-focused groups such as Great Cities Institute-affiliated initiatives. Through alliances with national coalitions including America Walks and Transportation for America, the organization amplifies regional priorities within broader movements for sustainable and equitable transportation.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Chicago Category:Advocacy groups in the United States