Active Trans is working with both policymakers and neighbors to make our streets safe and healthy places.

Working with policymakers
We work closely with government officials around the region to encourage them to adopt a Complete Streets policy. A Complete Streets policy requires new road projects and road repair projects to accommodate all road users throughout the develop process: design, engineering, planning and construction.

Complete Streets policies are popping up throughout Chicagoland and the state. The following government bodies have adopted Complete Streets
• State of Illinois
• Cook County
• DuPage County
• City of Chicago

Sample Complete Streets policy

Working with neighbors
Incomplete streets make walking and biking inconvenient and even dangerous. It doesn’t take a transportation engineer for residents to know what keeps them from biking and walking. It could be abandoned buildings, speeding traffic, poor lighting and broken sidewalks.

We are visiting Chicago communities through our Better Blocks program to find out what keeps people from biking and walking. After meeting with local residents, we provide the resources to make their street more complete.

Each complete street is unique because each roadway has its own challenges and needs. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t exist. But you might find any of these elements on a Complete Street.
• Sidewalks: Provide safe and convenient places to walk.
• Bike lanes: Establish a section of the road for cyclists.
• Curb cuts, tactile pads, and accessible pedestrian signals: Offer access and connectivity for people with disabilities.
• Raised-median islands: Provide buffer and protection for pedestrians while crossing wide or busy streets
• Curb extensions/bulbouts: Slow traffic and provide shorter crossing distance for pedestrians.
• Raised crosswalks: Make pedestrians more visible and calms traffic.
• Countdown timers: Allow pedestrians – most importantly people with disabilities and seniors – to know how long they have to cross the street.
• Accessible public transportation stops: Ensure that all people have access to a shelter while waiting for a bus.