Taking Climate Action by Prioritizing Walking, Biking, and Transit

• March 31, 2022

Emissions from transportation make the sector one of the largest contributors to climate change in our region. As detailed in the Chicago Region Climate Action Plan, all communities need to take action to make walking, biking, and transit safe and appealing alternatives to driving. To support Chicago area communities in planning and implementing these improvements, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Metropolitan Planning Council, and Active Transportation Alliance came together to craft an implementation-focused event series. The series sought to educate communities, inspire municipal action, and cultivate local champions to move our region toward a more walkable, bikeable, and sustainable future. 

Learn more about this past event series below. 

• Perspectives on Planning: A Webinar on Developing Community Bicycle/Pedestrian Plans,
  • Watch the recording here.
  • Slide deck
  • Event summary
  • Event speakers 

• Connected & Climate-Resilient: A Virtual Panel on Community and Transit-Oriented Development
  • Watch the recording here.
  • Slide deck
  • Event speakers 
  • Read the recap blog here.
• Show Me The Money!: Bringing Active Transportation Funding to Your Community
  • Watch the recording here.
  • Slide deck 
  • Event speakers
  • Read the recap blog here.
• Brookfield on Foot: A Guided Walking Tour of Bicycle/Pedestrian Projects
  This is a past in-person event. 
  • Event speakers
  • Read the recap blog here.
• Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Future of ADA Transition Planning
  • Watch the recording here. 
  • Slide deck
  • Event speakers

Resources for Implementing the Climate Action Plan in the Chicago Region:

• Climate Action Plans
  • The Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region.  
  • Here is an example of a municipal Climate Action Plan in Northbrook.   
• Active Transportation Plans
  • Richton Park Active Transportation Plan  
    
  • Video of Richton Park’s pop-up complete streets event.  
  • Bike/Pedestrian Planning in Niles
  • Active Transportation Alliance - Examples of Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans around the region  
• Safety/Education Resources

  • Active Transportation Alliance Resources for Biking and Walking Safety Education  

  • Ride Illinois Safety resources  

  • Ride Illinois Bike Safety Quiz   

  • League of American Cyclists – Smart Cycling Quick Guide  

  • League of American Bicyclists resources on Smart Cycling.    

• Advocacy Resources
  • Active Transportation Alliance – Suburban Advocacy Program, Bike Walk Every Town  
• Funding Resources
  • Funding opportunities for walking and biking projects
  • Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
  • CMAP on The Infastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)  
    • CMAP; IIJA Application
    • The Biden Infrastructure Law & Local Governmentsa
    • Surface Transportation Program  
    • HDR Tips & Tricks to Successfully Pursuing Federal Grants 
    • Invest in Cook 
    • Illinois Transporation Enhancement Program (ITEP)
    • ITEP webinar series hosted by Active Transportation Alliance
    • Engineering firms offering pro-bono support to some high-need communities
    • Government Resolution Example for ITEP Local Match
• National Resources
  
  • Benefits of Complete Streets tool (BCS tool) 
  • National Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center  
  • Smart Growth American Complete Streets Coalition  
  • Video: why safety and speed are incompatible – Transportation for America  
• TOD Plans
  • Harvey TOD Plan 
  • • Information about the Homewood TOD Plan via the Regional Transportation Authority 
    • Chicago Tribune article about the recent Homewood, IL purchase near the Metra 
    • eTOD Social Impact Calculator – A project by Center for Neighborhood Technology and the Metropolitan Planning Council
• CMAP Community Data Snapshots
  • Find them here

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