Adding Light Spotlight (08/23/2012): Active Transportation Alliance

The Adding Light Spotlight highlights people or organizations working to make our communities stronger, more resilient, and safer for our improved quality of life. Through the Spotlight, I hope to demonstrate that EVERYONE does not have to do EVERYTHING to make our world better as long as EVERYONE does SOMETHING.

As more and more people move into cities and metropolitan areas due to a wave of urban revitalization going on in our country, we need to make sure those people can safely get from home to work, play, and culture in order to maintain a thriving economy and civic connectedness. Without this connectedness, we lose our connection to each other as people, and that is what allows communities to remain resilient and thrive. One of the organizations in this country that works tirelessly to make this necessary transportation not only possible, but environmentally safe as well as physically safe, is the Active Transportation Alliance. I am proud to be a member of this organization that promotes safe, multi-modal transportation that includes advocacy for increased access to bike pathways, safe and walkable streets (which are great for the value of small businesses!), and improved ubiquitousness of public transportation. Their stated mission:

"...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."

points to the value they bring to cities throughout Illinois.

Learn more about Active Trans (as they are more widely known) through their website at www.activetrans.org where you will find copies of their Annual Reports for the previous three years. They have several great events each year to raise funds for their work, as well as to promote their mission --- many of us are familiar with Bike the Drive which happens Memorial Day weekend. This Sunday, they are hosting the Four Star Bike Tour...a series of rides of varying length meant to please any bicycle enthusiast. My family and I will be on the 12-mile scavenger hunt that takes off at 9am, but for you avid riders, you can try the 22-mile, 35-mile or even 62-mile! adventure. If you are not able to join as a member, you definitely should consider attending one of their great events. You will not regret it.

Until next time,
Enjoy the journey!