Since 1985, Active Trans has been a trusted consultant in our region for bicycle safety, fun events, and municipal planning. Active Trans has drawn members, donors, and political allies through years of respected work in bicycle safety and publication contracts. The membership program ha grown to 6,000 in 2009. Members are now a key voice for stronger bicycling legislation, more bicycle-friendly policies and community building around the region. Active Trans has helped install more than 10,000 bicycle parking racks in Chicago since 1993. Since 1999, more than $100 million worth of trails, bike lanes, bike racks and other projects became a reality because Active Trans was there helping, asking, training and working. Chicago's 282nd mile of on-street bike way was marked in spring 2008 as part of the visionary Bike 2015 plan that Active Trans was hired to write for the City of Chicago. Active Trans Strategic Plan envisions a region where 50% of all regional trips are by bicycling, walking, or transit, and as a result, there are 50% fewer crashes. There are four pillars to the Strategic Plan: Building Bicycle Facilities (such as trails, bicycle parking, and bicycle lanes) Encouraging Physical Activity Bike and Pedestrian Safety Building a Movement around Bicycling and Walking After a 2007 mission expansion to work on pedestrian and transit advocacy as well, our organization immediately fought for some major wins for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users. Wins include a state and citywide Complete Streets Policy. Complete Streets mandates that all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists, must be accommodated in all transportation projects. This policy will save lives and is a groundbreaking step toward restoring the health of Chicago's streets. On February 9, 2009, the Vehicle and Safety Committee of the Illinois House of Representatives passed two Active Trans bills on unanimous votes. The Pedestrian Safety Bill (sponsored by Rep. Arroyo) would require drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks (rather than yield). The Committee also voted for a ban on cell phone use in school & construction zones, and a ban on text messaging while driving. This is a breakthrough time for our organization. With our mission expansion, we have greater ability to work on a larger vision that prioritizes and promotes all forms of active travel. We understand that improvements in transit will help bicyclists, and improvements in pedestrian advocacy will benefit transit riders. The linkages are great, our audience is hungry for action, and our time has come to be the leading voice in Chicagoland for all users of active transportation.

The mission of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, founded in 1985, is to improve the bicycling environment and thereby the quality of life in the region. We do this by promoting bicycle safety, education and facilities, and by encouraging use of the bicycle as an energy-efficient, economical and nonpolluting form of transportation and as a healthful and enjoyable form of recreation. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation recognizes the synergies between promoting bicycling and promoting walking and public transit. We align our advocacy with social equity and community improvement and we embrace the power of a broad multi-modal coalition to achieve our mission.

We at the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation (CBF) are working to make the Chicago area a better place to live, work and play. Since 1999, more than $100 million worth of trails, bike lanes, bike racks and other projects became a reality because CBF was there helping, asking, training and working. CBF brings cyclists in the region together with the know-how to make bicycling a safe, convenient and fun way to get around. Mayor Daleys Bicycling Ambassador Program - CBFs Bicycle Ambassador program promotes bicycle safety and education throughout the region for all ages. Sponsored by the City of Chicago, Mayor Daley's Bicycling Ambassadors help all Chicagoans use bikes more. The Ambassadors talk face-to-face and give demonstrations to kids, teens, and adults by participating in existing community events, and running special Ambassador programs in many Chicago neighborhoods. The Ambassadors also work with communities, addressing local transportation safety concerns. Technical Assistance -- The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is one of the most experienced and respected bicycle advocacy organizations in North America. As a consultant, CBF offers professional services to clients in Northeastern Illinois who seek progressive and innovative ways to make bicycling a significant part of daily life in their community or region. CBF specializes in strategic problem solving and is adept at delivering practical solutions. Motorist Education -- CBF teaches motorists how to respect bicyclists in traffic through targeted advertising, and produces government approved materials for high school driver education, taxi and bus driver training and the State of Illinois Rules of the Road. Suburban Education and Organizing -- Half of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's members reside in areas outside of Chicago. We began suburban coordination outreach in the summer of 2003 to more effectively transition many of our successful citywide programs to the suburbs. Healthy Streets Campaign--The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has launched the Healthy Streets Campaign to make physically active transportation safe, convenient and fun. We need to redesign streets around the needs of people rather than catering only to motor vehicles. The Healthy Streets Campaign aims to win a balanced transportation environment that more wisely allocates resources and space to encourage walking, bicycling and public transit; and recreates streets to better serve all aspects of community life.