Evanston is at a crossroads.

The decisions our city makes today about transportation, safety, and mobility will shape how people move around our community for decades to come.

Over the last few years, the Evanston Transit Alliance (ETA) has emerged as the leading local voice advocating for safer streets and more transportation options for people of all ages and abilities. What began as a grassroots effort on the sidelines of local politics, is now a growing movement making real impact on community priorities.

ETA helped advance the Chicago Avenue Multimodal Project, organizing residents and businesses behind a vision for a safer, more vibrant corridor. The project will improve safety for people walking, biking, driving, and taking transit along one of Evanston's most important north-south streets. ETA's advocacy helped demonstrate broad community support for protected bike lanes and Complete Streets improvements at a critical moment in the project's development.

ETA has also helped bring renewed attention to restoring rail transit access through a new South Evanston CTA Yellow Line station. What was once a largely forgotten proposal is now included in Evanston's Comprehensive Plan, supported by city committees and community members, and recognized as a significant opportunity to reconnect residents to jobs, schools, healthcare, and regional transit. The organization has continued building momentum around the project by educating residents, engaging decision-makers, and advocating for the next phase of planning.

At the neighborhood level, ETA has championed practical safety improvements to make all residential areas in Evanston safer through traffic calming measures such as raised crosswalks and curb extensions, and lower vehicle speeds. Changes to dangerous intersections like Main and Forest near Lincoln School, are set to be enhanced thanks to the efforts of ETA supporters.

Perhaps most importantly, ETA has become a driving force behind an ambitious vision for Evanston's future bicycle network. As part of the 2026 Evanston Bike Plan, the first plan in more than a decade, ETA has mobilized residents, encouraged public participation, and pushed for a connected citywide network that serves everyone—not just experienced cyclists. The organization's advocacy emphasizes safe routes to schools, protected bike lanes on major streets, neighborhood greenways on side streets, regional trail connections, and implementation mechanisms including a Safe Streets Ordinance and Vision Zero commitment that will turn these plans into reality.

But ETA's impact extends beyond any single project. Through community bike rides, public outreach, candidate engagement, public comments, and ongoing advocacy, the organization has helped build a broad coalition of residents who believe Evanston can be safer, healthier, and more connected. It has created opportunities for neighbors to get involved in shaping their city and ensured that transportation decisions reflect the needs of people walking, biking, taking transit, using mobility devices, and driving alike.

Meaningful change rarely happens on its own. It takes residents willing to show up, speak out, and work together to move good ideas forward. Thanks to ETA, Evanston is having conversations today about safer streets, better transit, regional trail connections, and transportation equity that might otherwise never have happened. The result is a stronger voice for a city where everyone can travel safely and conveniently, regardless of age, ability, or how they choose to get around.

To continue this work, we require the resources to engage with and continue mobilizing community support. Your contribution supports a comprehensive advocacy program, getting the word out across Evanston from residents to stakeholders and local decision makers. Our vision is within reach, but it requires the sustained backing of the community to keep our momentum going.

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Evanston Transit Alliance

Working for a safer and better connected Evanston by championing pedestrian-oriented streets, bike infrastructure for all ages and abilities, and high-quality public transit.