The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is offering its two-day Healthy Streets Conference on ways to improve bicycling and walking conditions in Chicagoland for transportation professionals, public officials and advocates Friday, April 1 at the Ralph Metcalf Federal Building, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., 3rd floor, and Saturday, April 2 at Navy Pier, Exhibit Hall A.

Martha Lucy Barriga Hernandez, director of Via RecreActiva Sunday Parkways in Guadalajara, Mexico, will deliver Friday's keynote luncheon and present the annual Healthy Street Awards, which recognize a leader or organization for helping make Chicagoland a better place to bicycle. Additional awards to businesses and individuals will be presented at Saturday,s keynote luncheon. Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is also confirmed to speak. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), IL Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Des Plaines), IL Rep. Marlow Colvin (D-Chicago), and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley are invited to speak.

In addition, New York's Michael King, the "undisputed king of intersection design," will lead a full-day Real Intersection Design workshop Thursday, March 31 at the Chicago Area Transportation Study, 300 W. Adams St., and keynote Friday's closing plenary. The conference is also host to the 20th Anniversary Gala: A Tribute to Randy Neufeld at the Mid-Day Club, 21 S. Clark St., (April 2), and the Chicago Bike Show at Navy Pier (April 1-3).

The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation will also announce changes to its mission statement, and unveil key initiatives in its new Healthy Streets Campaign. The new campaign aims for a balanced transportation environment that more wisely allocates resources and space to encourage walking, bicycling and public transit through a coordinated regional effort integrating education, marketing, enforcement and street design.

The conference is sponsored by Edwards and Kelcey, TY LIN International, Chicago Athlete, Chicago Area Transportation Study, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicago Transit Authority Bike and Ride, City of Chicago, Chicago Department of Transportation, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Kane County Division of Transportation, League of Illinois Bicyclists, Mayor,s Fitness Council, Metropolitan Planning Council, Thunderhead Alliance, Bike Chicago, Boulevard Bikes, Handlebar Bar and Grill, Orange and Orbitz.

Founded in 1985, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has as its mission to improve the bicycling environment and thereby the quality of life in our region. With more than 5,000 members, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation works toward its mission by promoting bicycling safety, education and facilities.

For more general conference information, including registration, please visit www.biketraffic.org.