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Greetings
Hello John,
As the days get longer and the weather starts to warm, there is a renewed sense of momentum across the Ride Illinois community! Spring brings a fresh wave of excitement and energy, along with many opportunities to go outside, connect with friends and peers, and keep pushing for a safer, more bike-friendly Illinois.
We’re eager for an exciting lineup of events in the months ahead – including Lobby Day, fundraiser rides, LCI seminar, LCA workshop, and multiple community events, we can’t wait to hit the ground running (or pedaling!). We hope you can join us on the road, in the classroom, or in the Illinois capitol. There’s so much to look forward to this year!
Thank you for your interest in Ride Illinois’ efforts. We'd love to have your support to further our mission, since members make our work possible. We can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in the months ahead, and hope you'll join us for the ride!
Ride Illinois earned a 2026 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency – the fourth year in a row we've received this distinct recognition 👏👏👏
Ride Illinois shares financial information with Candid so current and future members know that their donations are used wisely and ethically. Visit our Candid profile to learn more.
Legislation & Policy
2026 National Bike Summit and Lobby Day
Ride Illinois helped coordinate the Illinois delegation at the 2026 National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. While in the nation's capital, we advocated to preserve funding for biking, walking, and trails in the next infrastructure bill. In addition, we lobbied for safety for vulnerable road users (VRUs) and protested the removal of a key protected bike lane.
Ride Illinois' Executive Director, Dave Simmons, presented on the need to prevent e-moto backlash from placing restrictions on people who ride legal, low-speed e-bikes.
The Latest from Springfield
Now that the primary election has passed, the spring legislative session in Springfield has kicked into high gear! Committees are meeting to discuss key bills, such as: 1) distinguishing between e-motos and e-bikes in the Illinois Vehicle Code, 2) reining in Super Speeders, and 3) developing and maintaining trails across the state.
👉 Stay tuned to Ride Illinois email and social media for relevant updates, requests to submit witness slips, and to send action alerts!
Education & Safety
Bike, Walk, Micromobility Curriculum for Illinois Schools
Ride Illinois is a key member of a working group that will develop curriculum for use in Illinois schools as soon as spring 2027. This important initiative aims to teach students life skills: safe walking, biking, and use of micromobility. Ride Illinois is pleased to partner with the Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois State Board of Education, and Illinois High School and College Drivers Ed Association on this effort!
More to come on this exciting opportunity for generational change in how Illinoisans navigate their communities!
June 5-7: League Cycling Instructor Seminar
Interested in teach safe cycling skills to adults and children? Ride Illinois is hosting a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) Seminar on June 5-7 in cooperation with the City of Evanston. The fee for registration is $425. Ride Illinois members receive a 10% discount! Contact elizabeth@rideillinois.org with questions.
September 17: League Cycling Advocate Workshop
Ride Illinois is pleased to partner with League of American Bicyclists to offer a League Cycling Advocate (LCA) Workshop on September 17 in Chicago. The LCA Workshop will cover essential topics – such as the history of bike advocacy, how to get organized, and effective political engagement. The fee for registration is $100. Contact info@rideillinois.org with questions.
The Quad Cities Bicycle Club was organized in 1964. It is the mission of the QCBC to promote, encourage, and support, the safe participation in bicycle riding of all ages and abilities, as well as to anticipate and address the needs and interests of all aspects of bicycling in the Quad Cities area. Now well into the 21st century, the club continues to pursue the goals stated on its original letterhead over 60 years ago as enthusiastically as the original members did in the 1960s.
Infrastructure
Project Spotlight: Saluki Greenway Multi-use Bike Path
The Saluki Greenway is a 10-foot-wide, 2.4-mile-long, paved multi-use bike path along State Highway 13 between Carbondale and Murphysboro. This project extends the region’s trail network, connecting with existing multi-use path segments and the Mud Line bike path. The project was funded by the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. Photo credit: City of Carbondale.
Why Our Streets are Failing Our Kids – and How to Fix It
A recent article from the Urban Cycling Institute digs into the decline of kids traveling by themselves, especially by bike. The realization: children are not choosing to stay off the streets and parents are not choosing to be helicopter parents. Our streets are choosing to exclude children!
Community
We are Cyclists – The All Bodies on Bikes Story
In a cycling culture dominated by pro bike checks and dusty berm shots, We Are Cyclists redefines what it means to ride bicycles. This film traces the origin and growth of All Bodies on Bikes, as both an organization and a movement, that challenges narrow, performance-driven definitions of cycling and creates welcoming spaces for cyclists of all stripes. Joy, inclusion, and supporting your fellow riders aren't necessarily radical concepts. All Bodies on Bikes wants to transform biking into a space where everyone feels welcomed, wanted, and empowered to ride!
Podcast Recommendation: Look Both Ways
Check out the Look Both Ways podcast with hosts David Zipper & Wes Marshall. If you are looking for great conversations about all things transportation, you've come to the right place. If it moves on the road or on tracks, it's fair game.
💡What bike-related books or podcasts do you recommend? From epic adventures to practical advice, to the benefits of biking, there are plenty of options! Send your suggestions to info@rideIllinois.org.
Generosity
Affiliated Clubs & Community Organizations
This month we’ve been very fortunate to have the support of Springfield Bicycle Club for their generous support of Ride Illinois’ mission. Join us in extending a warm appreciation to the SBC and all our other wonderful affiliated clubs and organizations!
👉 Click here to learn about generous clubs and community orgs.
Corporate Members
Ride Illinois is incredibly grateful for the continued support of our Corporate Members, whose commitment helps move our mission forward every day. Their partnership shows just how impactful the business community can be in creating a more bike-friendly, connected Illinois.
If you’re a small business owner – or work for a company that values healthier, more vibrant communities – get involved as a Corporate Member. Supporting Ride Illinois is a meaningful way to invest in safer streets, stronger local economies, and better places to bike, walk, and roll across the state.
Corporate Membership is a great fit for businesses of all sizes, and we’d love to have you be part of this growing network of advocates.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) competitive grant program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Approximately $1 billion is still available for the next round. Application deadline is May 26, 2026.
Bike Safety Quiz Mini-Grants
Illinois schools can receive $2 per student (up to $2,000 per school per grant year) for completing one of Ride Illinois' quizzes. The funding covers school staff time to assign Ride Illinois' free, online quiz as a 15-30 minute assignment. Reimbursement is based on the number of students who complete a quiz in the 2025-2026 school year.
Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD)
The FY2026 Grant Cycle offers four unique funding opportunities for qualifying applicants in Madison and St. Clair Counties, IL. Each grant opportunity is listed below by program name and status. Eligible applicants can receive up to one MEPRD award per grant program, per fiscal year. Application deadline is May 29, 2026.
Events Calendar
🗓 Ride Illinois is pleased to promote the rides and event offered by affiliated bike clubs and community organizations, plus other impactful organizations.
Below are some rides and events we think you'll appreciate:
Ride Illinois was met with municipal staff from Normal and Bloomington, plus attended a screening of Bike Vessel (L) and presented at the 2026 National Bike Summit about e-motos and the need to differentiate from e-bikes (R).
