North Suburbs Advocacy

Hello! I am Lina Hoffman, the new North Suburban Coordinator for Active Trans. I am very enthusiastic to promote walking, biking and transit in North Suburbs.

On Tuesday March 10, 2009 Carolyn Helmke (Senior Planner) and I were fortunate to attend a meeting at Alberto’s Cycles in Highland Park organized by Velo Roubaix. The meeting included members of Velo Roubaix, representatives of other North Suburban bike clubs, community members, local officials, and bike shop owners/staff.  About thirty people came to the meeting and we had a very positive, engaging discussion about local and regional bike issues.

A “hot” issue for this group is the Village of Barrington Hills recent decision to approve two ordinances that restrict the behavior of cyclists. Active Trans is currently researching the Village of Barrington Hills bicycle ordinances and seeking to engage locals within that community. Adolfo Hernandez, Active Trans Advocacy Director is leading this effort. Contact him at adolfo@activetrans.org if you are interested in this issue.

The Lake County Division of Transportation is looking over proposals for a “Complete Streets Initiative” and will pick a consultant to work on this project in the spring or summer. North Suburban bike advocates are keeping an eye on this process and hope that this work leads to more complete streets initiatives at the local level.

One of my main priorities is to work with local groups to develop municipal complete streets policy in their village, town, or city. I am also interested in working with communities that would like to start a bike task force. If you have a bike task force in your community, or would like to start one, please contact me at lina@activetrans.org or call me at (312) 427-3325.

This North Suburban group will meet again on June 1, 7pm at Alberto’s Cycles. For more information about this group: http://cyclingadvocacy.blogspot.com/

Finally, I am really looking forward to meeting more North Suburban cyclists at an upcoming member event on Thursday, April 16 at 7pm. Here are the details:

Robbie Ventura, Tour de France veteran and Active Trans member will be chatting and sharing his behind the scenes racing stories at his Trek store in Highland Park at 1925 Skokie Valley in Highland Park on ---.  Active Trans members get in for free!  Not a member? Become one at the door for $25.  Enjoy some light drinks and snacks, auctions and raffles.  Don’t forget to peruse the goods-members get discounts on merchandise at the event.  Become part of the movement that is working to get half the population to walk, bike or use mass transit!