Avid cyclist advocates for more suburban biking, transit infrastructure

"Give someone a fish, you feed them for a day. Teach someone to fish, you feed them for a lifetime."

A biking proverb it's not, rather a very apt analogy for the work of suburban Advocacy Manager Maggie (Melin) Czerwinski of the Active Transportation Alliance (Active Trans).

Last September, Ride Illinois, the statewide, nonprofit bike advocacy organization, bestowed on her the 2020 Leadership Award for advocacy training efforts since 2017.

I met Czerwinski a while back at an advocacy workshop. She impressed me as dynamic, yet unpretentious and very approachable, despite a statistics degree and two masters, one in urban planning and one in environmental studies. She realized her calling while living in Sweden and Germany, where well-developed infrastructure supported a more active way of getting around.

Czerwinski's mandate? Develop training and resources to promote suburban biking, walking and transit advocacy efforts across seven Chicago area counties and 284 municipalities. With such a daunting task, was there a ready model to follow?

Not exactly, she replied.

"In the suburbs, every town is unique, with its own opportunities and challenges," she said. "We couldn't use a cookie-cutter approach. But we were able to tap into the knowledge of transportation and advocacy experts throughout the country to develop a program for tailoring to local needs.

"The most effective approach would be helping communities get the right policies, plans and mechanisms in place for walking and biking projects to advance. The resulting model introduces residents to several key policy concepts, offering guidance on how to build and activate a supporter base, and how to engage elected officials to make positive change happen."

Bike Walk Every Town

Her impact has been clear. The Bike Walk Every Town Program, a training and advocacy curriculum hosted on the Active Trans website, is proof. BWET evolved through numerous workshops Czerwinski facilitated with hundreds of participants. Advocates can tap BWET for various tools: work sheets, best practices, planning templates, sample documents and more.

Bob Hoel, the Active Trans board president when BWET launched, has worked with Czerwinski as she led suburban workshops. A Ride Illinois board member and Elmhurst Bike Club member, Hoel said he has been "impressed with the way she has partnered with Dave Simmons of Ride Illinois to help get the message out, not only to Chicagoland, but also the rest of Illinois.

"Maggie shows them the tools, how to use them and finally acts in a supportive manner when they hit a speed bump."

Wharton Sinkler, Des Plaines Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee president since 2013, echoed Hoel.

"She has helped identify and publicize grant opportunities," Sinkler said. "The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Bicycle Path Grants, for example, was the route chosen at our suggestion by the Des Plaines Park District to construct a bike/pedestrian bridge connecting two parks, Cumberland Terrace and Des Plaines Manor. Maggie has built strong relationships with some municipal engineering departments, a great angle for helping make projects happen."

Dr. Anne Nagle, Bike Walk Wilmette member, attended BWET training and affirmed Czerwinski's impact on biking.

"In April 2018, Maggie and I hosted a BWET social event at a newly opened TOD (Transit Oriented Development) in Wilmette," a luxury rental apartment building across from the Metra station with its own bicycle fleet for residents.

"So the draw is that you can walk, bike or take the train to your destination."

Building relationships

Current Active Trans board President Peggy Reins also marveled at Czerwinski's achievements.

"Not a bike club, Active Trans is rather at the intersection of important issues: overall, making our community a better place to live - safer infrastructure, environmental awareness and improved social and racial equity," said Reins.

"Maggie has done a marvelous job of translating our mission into action, bringing the BWET concept into reality. With a deep willingness to be a resource, she's a great connector."

Melody Geraci, Active Trans deputy executive director, noted, "Maggie has something of a magical touch in forming constructive working relationships with elected officials and governmental staff. People we've tried unsuccessfully to reach for years are somehow quite responsive to Maggie. Thanks to Maggie, we have found many new champions for our work."

Others familiar with Czerwinski, like Kyle Whitehead, Active Trans managing director of Public Affairs, agreed.

"She cares deeply about our mission and has built up a really strong base of knowledge," Whitehead said. "Interpersonal skills are her greatest strength. She's able to connect with all different types of people."

Active Trans Communications Director Ted Villaire agreed.

"Maggie has a special gift for bringing people together so they can learn from one another," Villaire said.

Larry Mysz, Active Trans board member since 2014, added, "Bike advocacy in the far South suburbs was pretty dismal. Maggie did a good job of getting people together. I've never heard anything but enthusiasm for Maggie's work."

Life as an advocacy manager

What is most satisfying about her job?

"Getting to know people and building relationships. The suburbs are full of inspiring advocates, getting me energized and motivated. Back in 2019, we got involved in establishing Illinois capital bill funding - $50 million annually - for biking, walking and trail projects. The previous two years we'd been building our advocacy network. Then, to have so many people supporting the bill - tweeting, emailing, calling elected officials - made it very satisfying."

Least satisfying?

"Time it takes to get infrastructure built or policy changed," she admitted. "I get frustrated when I see transportation funds are the first things to get pulled in a down time. These projects can often have a big impact creating healthier, more equitable communities."

Suburban Action Week

Join Active Trans Feb 15-20 for a free weeklong mobilization for better walking, biking and transit in Chicago's suburbs. Suburban Action Week will feature a series of short, online talks and workshops with suburban advocates, county staff and community leaders regarding:

• Recent and upcoming walking and biking projects.

• Advocacy tips and best practices from successful campaigns.

• Ways to increase your advocacy capacity and effectiveness.

Register at activetrans.org/suburbanaction or email Maggie at maggie@activetran

• Join the ride. Reach Ralph Banasiak at alongfortheridemail@gmail.com.