(From the Active Transportation Alliance)

Crossing guards shepherd us safely across the street. They keep children safe from traffic throughout the year–no matter the conditions: wind, rain, snow or sweltering heat.

Since 2005, the State of Illinois has been officially honoring these individuals with Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. This year, the event takes place on May 1.

In honor of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Active Transportation Alliance are asking neighbors to share stories about their local crossing guards. Chicago and suburban residents can share how much they value their crossing guard at www.activetrans.org/crossingguard.

The public is invited to share stories until through May 1, 2012–the day Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn declared as Crossing Guard Appreciation Day.

“Crossing guards provide an invaluable service to our communities,” said Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “They are out there every day making the streets safer by helping children get to school and guiding residents as they walk to their bus stop.”

Here are a few ways you can help celebrate the efforts of your local crossing guards.

• Download and present them with a certificate of appreciation: www.activetrans.org/crossingguard.
• Write a thank you note.
• Give the guard a gift card to a local business.
• Share details about the great work that a particular crossing guard does in your neighborhood.
• Visit www.activetrans.org/crossingguard to read comments people made about their favorite crossing guards in recent years.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works 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. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 40 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

As an ardent supporter of effective traffic enforcement measures, the Active Transportation Alliance extends a “thank you” to the alderman who voted “yes” today on Chicago’s speed camera ordinance.

“Speeding drivers make roadways unsafe for vehicle passengers, cyclists, and everyone who uses our sidewalks and parks,” said Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “Automated speed enforcement allowed under this ordinance will help keep cars within the legal speed limit, save lives and make our neighborhoods more walkable and bike-friendly.”

That speed cameras reduce speeding and crashes is a commonsense conclusion backed by research. An analysis of more than 90 studies assessing speed enforcement cameras in the Journal of the Transportation Research Board found an average injury crash reduction of 20 to 25 percent, with more effective programs reducing injuries from crashes by more than 50 percent.

Burke said cameras are one of many tools in the toolbox to slow down speeders, along with speed bumps, portable speed signs, education and enforcement. A comprehensive approach, he said, is what’s needed to combat this pervasive problem.

Read more on the Active Transportation Alliance’s blog.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works 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. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 40 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

Alliance responds to Bike Lane Announcement

Step aside Chicago the Active Transportation Alliance salutes the City of Evanston this week for announcing plans to install a protected bike lane on Church Street this summer, positioning itself as a national leader for safe streets among suburban communities.

Protected bike lanes use physical barriers or buffers between people riding bikes and motorized traffic to help riders of all ages feel more comfortable on the street. Cities across the country from New York City to Salt Lake City are installing new protected bike lanes, designed with people of all ages and riding abilities in mind, to make biking a safe and easy option for everyone. 

These communities understand that quality of life improvements such as safer streets and better transportation options are good for local businesses and property values. The City of Chicago has also committed to creating a 100-mile network of protected bike lanes by 2015 and has installed two miles to date.

Active Trans is excited to see Evanston step up as a leader in the Chicago region by making its streets safer and providing more transportation choices. Evanston is already a walkable community with great transit and bike infrastructure. The protected bike lane is another community enhancement that will improve the quality of life for those who live, work and play in Evanston.

“The City of Evanston continues its great work of making it better and safer for citizens to get around,” said Barb Cornew, north suburban coordinator for the Active Transportation Alliance. “This downtown protected bike lane will get more Evanston residents biking while making it safer for people who are walking, biking or driving.”

Whether you’re an 8-year-old child or 80-year-old grandmother, Active Trans believes you should be able to ride a bike on your community’s streets without fearing for your safety. Protected bike lanes make streets safer for everyone on the street whether walking, driving or biking by reducing conflicts on the roadway and encouraging more predictable and responsible behavior.

“This proves Evanston’s commitment to becoming a livable city,” said Chris Mailing, owner of Evanston’s Turin Bicycle shop. “Sixty percent of the population will ride a bike to work, school, or transit if it is comfortable and convenient and protected bike lanes go a long way toward that.  They encourage people to shop locally while getting exercise and reducing air pollution.  It’s a win-win for everyone.”

About: The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works 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. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by nearly 7,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 40 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312-427-3325.

CHICAGO, IL – Riders for Better Transit  joined with transit riders and advocates from across the Chicago region to introduce Transit Fast Forward (SB 3236), state legislation that would improve Chicagoland transit service through increased investment and a dedicated source of funding that would grow over time.

Riders for Better Transit urges Chicagoland residents to tell their state legislators to support the Transit Fast Forward bill at www.RidersForBetterTransit.org.

The proposed legislation is aimed at addressing the inadequate funding for transit options at a time when residents are increasingly looking for an alternative to driving. The Chicago area is one of the country’s most congested regions. Strong transit service helps reduce congestion, improve commute times, save households money and enhance the region’s quality-of-life, making transit one of the wisest transportation investments available.

Transit Fast Forward would generate an estimated $11.6 million in 2013, and a projected $168 million over the first five years. It indexes the state gas tax with inflation, a move that will dedicate an additional fraction of a penny per gallon to public transportation. The end result will be better commutes for drivers and transit riders alike.

“Congressional leaders in D.C. may be talking about cutting dedicated federal funding for transit, but in the Chicago region we know that the conversation needs to be about moving transportation forward, not backward,” says Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance.

“Transit reduces congestion and air pollution, gets people to work affordably and efficiently, attracts jobs, and is vital to the Chicago region’s economy,” says Jennifer Henry of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Transit Fast Forward is an important step toward solidifying our region’s investment in transit.”

“Metra actually carries 50 percent of the commuters coming into the downtown area during peak hours,” says Samuel Smith of Metra. “Public transit is what keeps our region’s economy moving, but we need to invest in keeping it strong.”

Without Metra, 29 lanes of expressway would need to be built, while CTA alone replaces about 400,000 vehicles on regional roads each work day.

Chicagoland transit riders are organizing and speaking up to demand better transit. The first Transit Day of Action kicked off this morning. Dozens of volunteers from Riders for Better Transit passed out fliers at downtown train stations to ask Chicagoland residents to contact their state legislators in support of better transit.

About Transit Fast Forward (SB 3236):

• Indexes state motor fuel tax to inflation, adjusted annually
• Applies only to the six counties served by CTA, Metra and Pace
• Directs new incremental revenue to the Public Transportation Fund; road funds unaffected
• Helps rebuild aging infrastructure and expand service with projects like Bus Rapid Transit
• Helps transit agencies manage rising costs due to inflation and partially offset chronic funding shortfalls that have led to service cuts
• Estimated 2013 increase in state motor fuel tax: two-fifths of a cent per gallon
• Estimated new revenue for transit in 2013: $11.6 million
• Estimated total new revenue for transit over first five years: $168 million
• Last increase in state motor fuel tax: 1990
• Increase in CTA train fare since 1990: 80 percent

Riders for Better Transit is a project of Active Transportation Alliance (Active Trans), in partnership with Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Active Trans is a non-profit organization with more than 6,800 members advocating to improve conditions for biking, walking and transit in the Chicago region. NRDC is a non-profit organization that uses law, science, and the support of 1.3 million members and online activists nationwide to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.

Six Passport Party participants, aged 11-15, will then take first-ever trip abroad, sponsored by Expedia.com

Bellevue, WA (BlackNews.com) — Expedia.com, the world’s leading online travel agency, announced today that the company will serve as the official travel sponsor of The Passport Party Project. The Passport Party Project is a philanthropic initiative started by award-winning travel blogger and entrepreneur Tracey Friley, founder of OneBrownGirl.com and OBG Adventure Camps. The Passport Party Project hosts parties for ten girls each throughout the United States, giving teen girls, aged 11-15, the tools to obtain their first passports. The goal is to inspire these girls to use their passports to ultimately take their first-ever trip abroad.

As official travel sponsor, Expedia will host a contest for Passport Party participants after 100 girls have received their first passport. Six contest winners will earn a free trip to an international destination, accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian and Friley, where they will earn their first passport stamp.

“International travel is a formative experience, especially for young adults. Experiencing life beyond our local boundaries is the ideal way to gain perspective not only on other cultures, but on our own as well,” said Joe Megibow, vice president and general manager, Expedia.com. “We are inspired by the passion of Tracey Friley and the challenge that the Passport Party Project has undertaken. Helping young women obtain their passports literally opens up a world of opportunity.”

“For these girls, passports aren’t a priority in their households. Travel is likely a luxury and not a lifestyle. Having a passport has the potential to change how a young girl views herself and her place in the world,” said Tracey Friley. “It’s as much about the possibilities as it is about hopping a plane. I’m honored to be a part of a global awareness initiative that has the potential to create explorers, and ecstatic that Expedia shares my view.”

Expedia was first introduced to Tracey Friley and the Passport Party Project at the 2011 Travel Blog Exchange conference (TBEX) in Vancouver, a conference started and run by travel blogger Kim Mance. Expedia was energized by the mission set forth by Tracey and moved to begin working together for the Passport Party Project.

In 2012, Expedia and the Passport Party Project will host parties in the following cities:

* Austin, TX – March 2012 * Miami, FL – April 2012 * Denver, CO – June 2012 * New York, NY – August 2012 * Chicago, IL – September 2012 * Washington, DC – October 2012

In the first quarter of 2013, Passport Parties will take place in:

* Atlanta, GA – February 2013 * San Diego, CA – March 2013 * San Francisco Bay Area, CA – March 2013

For more information about Expedia’s sponsorship of the Passport Party Project please visit the Expedia media room or www.passportpartyproject.org. Follow along on Twitter @Expedia or @OneBrownGirl, #PassportPartyProject.
 

About Expedia.com

Expedia.com is the world’s leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services. With the Expedia Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com customers can get the best rates available online for all types of travel. Expedia, Expedia.com and the Airplane logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2012 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50

About The Passport Party Project

The Passport Party Project is a global awareness campaign that gifts teen girls with their very first passports and was created by San Francisco Bay Area resident and award winner Tracey Friley of OneBrownGirl.com and OBG Adventure Camps.

Captain James Simon, Jr. is a Board Member of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals

Chicago, IL (BlackNews.com) –United Airlines, the world’s largest airline, has named an African American chief pilot of one its five U.S. regions. Captain James Simons, Jr., a United Airlines pilot for 22 years, will manage 1,450 pilots for the Chicago-based airline’s Northeast Region, which is headquartered at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va. He is a member of the board of directors of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP).

“We are proud of Captain Simons’ achievement and applaud United Airlines for its commitment to promoting minority men and women to executive positions in the aviation industry,” said Cheryl Chew, Executive Director of OBAP. Captain Simons serves on the board’s Governance and Board Development Committee.

“I appreciate OBAP,” said Captain Simons. “And I want to get more African Americans into management.”

Captain Simons will manage pilots at Dulles, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York City, Newark Liberty International Airport, Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C.

As chief pilot, he is also responsible for preparing the Northeast Region’s budget and adjusting pilots’ schedules. He also works with the region’s airport station chiefs and interacts with the Federal Aviation Administration. Before his promotion, Captain Simons was assistant chief pilot for the Northeast Region since 2007.

He succeeds Captain Walt Clark, who took a new position at United’s headquarters. “He was a great mentor, who believed in providing equal opportunity and a diverse environment,” Captain Simons said.

United Airlines’ other regions are Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago and the Northwest Region.

In an interview regarding he said his promotion is a major honor, and praised other black pilots who opened the doors for him to move into management at United Airlines. “This is a humbling experience. I learned a lot from Louis Freeman and Bill Norwood,” Captain Simons said.

Captain Freeman, former chief pilot for Southwest Airlines, was the first African American named to that position at a major U.S. carrier. Norwood was the first African-American captain hired by United Airlines. He retired from United in 1996 after career of more than 30 years.

Captain Simons, the son of an Air Force veteran, graduated in 1978 from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in international affairs. While in the Air Force, he was an instructor pilot and an evaluator pilot at the Combat Training School. In 1989, United Airlines hired him as a pilot.

United Airlines merged with the former Continental Airlines in November 2011 making it the largest airline in the world with 86,000 employees and second largest with 702 aircraft. Its largest hub is George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, TX. Captain Simons is based in Virginia during the week and joins his wife Judith in Houston on weekends. The couple has two daughters and a grandson.
 

About Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)

OBAP is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to enhance, advance, and promote educational opportunities in aviation. From the outset OBAP has focused its greatest emphasis on preparing young people to realize a successful future and highlight the exciting potential available in aviation. To be certain of an aviation oriented group representing African-American and Minority concerns was neither new nor unique. Years earlier the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. and Black Wings in Aviation had been formed with similar goals and both continue to be very active today. OBAP’s unique approach to the concept was to build on the progress made in the military and general aviation arenas by expanding the cause within the airline industry. www.obap.org

Photo Caption: Captain James Simons, Jr.

On Friday, Jan. 20, warm up with Caribou coffee, tea and hot chocolate from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Daley Plaza in Chicago for Winter Bike to Work Day.

The first 50 bike commuters who come by the event can choose from either a free bike light or a free balaclava. People can also enter a raffle for a folding bike.

Winter Bike to Work Day, organized by the Active Transportation Alliance, commemorates the coldest day in Chicago history–Jan. 20, 1985–when the official temperature at O’Hare International Airport was 27 degrees below zero.

Jan. 20 also marks the opening of registration for one of the best bicycle rides in the nation, MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive. Get a jump on your summer by signing up for this world-class bike ride, to be held on May 27. Save $10 when you sign up for this Active Transportation Alliance fundraiser between Jan. 20 and Feb. 6 at www.bikethedrive.org.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works 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. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by nearly 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 40 full-time staff.

For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

Express the Importance of the Movie Red Tails

Pilot Jonathan E. Neal, CFI/MEI

Lanham, MD (BlackNews.com) — Pilots Jonathan Neal, 32, and Wayne Tonkins, 23, are on a mission to help the community soar with its new aviation program for youth. Outreach Aviation (OA), a nonprofit organization based in Prince George’s County, Maryland was founded by Neal and Tonkins in July 2011 out of a personal desire to help fill the void of innovative educational programs in predominately Black communities, which were not available to them as youth. The program, which aligns with President Obama’s education reform agenda to foster critical thinking and problem solving, is the first of its kind in Maryland to couple an academics program with actual flying lessons.

Jonathan Neal, a certified flight instructor, was born on the Arkansas banks of the Mississippi delta. Being confined in a small rural town with limited activities and possibilities, Neal created fun by watching the lights of passenger jets fly by at high altitude. “Watching those planes would take me into another dimension of living. That was my fun, my action, my escape, and my dream,” Neal remembers. However, he had no mentors to help cultivate his dream. “An African American flying a plane was unheard of in my hometown. No pilots as mentors and no such thing as an aviation program for youth. In fact, I knew very few who had even traveled on a passenger jet. Being a pilot wasn’t a reality for us,” says Neal. However, that didn’t stop Neal’s dream since his parents instilled in their children that the sky was the limit. Neal took this literally by pursuing an education and career in Aviation.

In 2010, Neal met Wayne Tonkins at the A.T.C. Flight Training Center in Fort Washington, Maryland. Tonkins, who was not yet legal age, was a licensed pilot that needed assistance in flying a complex larger aircraft. Neal provided that assistance and they became instant friends, which led to them becoming business partners. Sharing the same desire and passion to help youth they sought advice from local education experts prior to establishing Outreach Aviation.

In September 2011, Neal was invited to preview the upcoming movie release, Red Tails, at the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C. “It’s always inspiring to be in the same environment with the Tuskegee Airmen. They are a great part of my inspiration to do what I do.” says Neal. Both men are excited about the release of Red Tails and encourage EVERYBODY to see the movie. “In addition to it being a great movie with an all-Black cast, it’s a true story of how at the core of our being Blacks give unselfishly no matter the circumstances we face. It is important that others be reminded that Blacks are far from lazy and are fighters for the things we believe. This is just one of the significant things about the Tuskegee Airmen,” says Neal.

About Outreach Aviation

Outreach Aviation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is an outreach program designed to educate youth in the theory, mechanics, and practical use of an aircraft. At the core of the program, youth are developed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, whether youth decide to explore a career in aviation or not, it is a part of OA’s mission to help prepare them for college and careers by using aviation’s innovative techniques to equip them in their critical thinking to make sound decisions throughout their lives.

OA, a no-cost program for its students, is planning to begin classes in summer 2012. OA is currently seeking funding to meet the demands of the program. OA is governed by a carefully-selected Board of Directors comprising educators, pilots, and community and business leaders. For more information on Jonathan Neal, Wayne Tonkins, and Outreach Aviation visit www.theOutreachAviation.org.