Break the Gridlock Conference, October 3 - Chicago

09-18-2004, 08:00 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 16, 2004

Chicagoans Waste 56 Hours of Life Per Year in Traffic Delay –
Break the Gridlock Offers Grassroots Solutions

Sixth Annual Conference Will Help Reduce Chicago’s Car Dependency

The Texas Transportation Institute recently released new findings that
traffic delay in Chicago has more than doubled in the past decade, and
is now higher than the average of other large cities. This condition is
often called “gridlock” -- a symptom of a failing transportation system
that relies too heavily on one mode of transport for too many people.
That mode is the private automobile.

Help cure Chicago’s car-dependency! Come to the 6th annual Break the
Gridlock Conference at Garfield Park Conservatory on Sunday, October 3.
The half-day (12:00-4:00pm) event will focus on ways to organize and
sustain local energy to improve Chicago’s conditions for bikers,
walkers, and transit riders and reduce the dominant role of cars in our
transportation system. Local experts, whose organizations have engaged
and empowered citizens to play an active role in making positive change,
will share knowledge from their own careers.

Keynote speaker: Mildred Wiley {Bethel New Life, Neighborhood Capital
Budget Group)

Panel Discussion, “Harnessing and Sustaining Activism” with Rick Martin
& Sharon Feigon (Evanston's Transportation Future) Gin Kilgore (Logan
Square Walks) Matt McDermott (United Power for Action and Justice)
Brandon Zagorski (Working Bikes Cooperative)

The conference will include a light lunch, a panel/audience discussion
on grassroots activism, some lively entertainment, and dynamic break-out
sessions for specific interest areas. We kindly request advanced
registration as space is limited and the cost is only $10 per person.
Register online at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] or contact Nate Hutcheson at
(773)325-1909 or [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

Break the Gridlock is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to
overcoming car dependency in Chicago. The organization has been the
launching point of such grassroots initiatives as the Zoning for
Transportation Equity Coalition, Bike Winter, Cycling Sisters, Forever
Free and Clear, and Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail.

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