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Greetings
Hello John,
As we flip the calendar to February, we’ll take a moment to thank you for being a part of the Ride Illinois community. Having people like you alongside truly makes all the difference.
The progress made toward safer streets, improved education, and more bike-friendly communities doesn’t happen on its own. It happens because folks like you care and show up in ways big and small! We’d greatly appreciate your support of Ride Illinois through becoming a member or making a donation and sharing our work with a friend. Every bit of support keeps our efforts moving forward!
Thank you for supporting our mission! Keep reading to learn more the latest about Ride Illinois' recent progress.
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. You're encouraged to visit our Candid profile to learn more.
Legislation & Policy
The Latest from Springfield
Ride Illinois was honored to recently speak at a press conference (at the 18:20 mark) convened by Illinois Secretary of State on the topic of micromobility. There is a dire need for common sense legislation at the state level that curbs unsafe use while responsibly welcoming new mobility modes. Ride Illinois is pleased to be a partner working to craft legislation centered on that worthwhile objective. Photo credit: Jim Merrill.
Click here to read Ride Illinois' full statement from the press conference.
👉 Stay tuned to Ride Illinois email and social media for updates.
Voicing Support for Biking, Walking, and Trails
Ride Illinois will be joining advocates from Illinois and across the country at the 2026 National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. at the end of March. We'll be calling on Congress to include a fortified Transportation Alternatives program to maintain funding for trails, walking and bicycling across transportation programs in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization. The next transportation bill will go into effect from October 2026 through September 2031, so advocacy at the Summit will be critical!
Education & Safety
Spanish Translation of BikeSafetyQuiz 2.0
Our updated quizzes, affectionately referred to as BSQ 2.0, are being assigned in schools across the state through our BSQ Mini-Grant program. Enhancements include color photos, more relatable scenarios, and new questions. Spanish translation of the quizzes is underway and will be completed in time for a public launch in spring.
LCI Seminars and LCA Workshop in Illinois
Planning is underway to offer some exciting opportunities to enhance your skills in the coming year:
Ride Illinois aims to offer two League Cycling Instructor seminars in Illinois in 2026. LCIs are ambassadors for better biking through their education efforts. One doesn't have to be an extraordinary athlete or overachieving student to be a stellar LCI, that's needed is the conviction that life is better for everyone when more people ride bikes.
Also, we're collaborating with Anna from League of American Bicyclists to offer a League Cycling Advocate workshop this summer. The workshop covers essential topics such as the history of bike advocacy, how to get organized, and effective political engagement.
If earning LCI or LCA certification is of interest, send an email to info@rideillinois.org to add your name to the list of interested individuals. We'll follow up as details for these sessions are ironed out.
Environment & Awareness
Get to Know: Bike Peoria
Bike Peoria is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in spring 2013 with the goal of making Peoria a more enjoyable and welcoming place to ride. They are citizens and cycling enthusiasts who are leading the charge by advocating, encouraging, and promoting a more bike-friendly city and region. Bike Peoria is made up of commuters, racers, enthusiasts and the occasional recreational rider. Volunteers are the heart of this movement and we rely strongly on the efforts of this community to make their city safer and easier to ride.
March 10: Bicycle Friendly Business Application Deadline
Bikes are good for businesses and their employees! Through the Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) program, employers are recognized for their efforts to encourage a more welcoming atmosphere for bicycling employees, customers and the community.
The next deadline for businesses to apply for BFB recognition is March 10. Help us spread the word and boost the number of BFBs in Illinois!
Infrastructure
Project Spotlight: Streamwood's Bike-Ped Bridge Over IL 59
Congratulations to the Village of Streamwood for recently completing the construction of a bike/ped bridge over IL 59 – a major suburban stroad. The bridge project is part of the village's overall goal of bringing their community together. This key project was included in the Bartlett & Streamwood Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and was funded by the Federal government, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Cook County.
What's a Sneckdown?
When it snows, there are sneckdowns! The word “sneckdown” is a combination of “snow” and “neckdown”. A neckdown is where the sidewalk extends into the road. The tracks where motor vehicles have driven – and where they haven’t – are "sneckdowns" that point out excess roadway that could be used for other things year-round. Photo credit: Moss Design.
Community
Resolution: You Can Bike There in 2026!
Maybe today isn’t the best day to bike there...but it’s not too early to commit to using your bicycle for transportation in 2026!
The I Can Bike There campaign aims to educate the public and encourage them to use their bikes for everyday trips and explore new routes, while celebrating those who already use their bicycle as a practical, sustainable mode of transportation.
👉 Learn more, get inspired, and share your story at icanbikethere.org.
Book Recommendation: Riding More With Less
Pulling away from the obsolescence and disposability so often implied within consumer economies, the book surveys experienced community bike shop mechanics worldwide to identify the best and safest repair solutions when new parts are not an option. For those already familiar with the finer arts of bicycle preservation, Riding More with Less aligns the most useful technical references within a well-organized compilation of the most effective low-cost and for-free repair techniques. And for the uninitiated, the book includes an overview of the community bike shops many readers may find in their own neighborhoods, where many begin to discover real alternatives.
💡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
Tim St. John Memorial Foundation
Ride Illinois is deeply grateful to the Tim St. John Memorial Foundation for their incredibly generous $10,000 donation to Ride Illinois. Their donation will be used to bolster Ride Illinois' advocacy efforts.
Tim St. John was an incredible young man from Northbrook, Illinois. Tim was a passionate athlete, scholar, and leader who excelled as a mechanical engineering student at Purdue and earned All-American status in triathlon. He was known for his energy, selflessness, and the way he filled a room with joy and enthusiasm. Tragically, Tim’s life was cut short in 2022 when he was struck by a motorist while training on his bike.
The Tim St. John Memorial Foundation carries his legacy forward by turning unimaginable loss into positive action - supporting safety, empowering future leaders, and causes that reflect Tim’s spirit and values. Ride Illinois is truly grateful to be chosen as part of that work.
Join us in thanking the Tim St. John Memorial Foundation for helping transform remembrance into impact that moves us all. Learn more about Tim and the Tim St. John Memorial Foundation on their website: timstjohnfoundation.org.
Affiliated Clubs & Community Organizations
This month Ride Illinois has been very fortunate to receive donations from several bike clubs around the state. We’re extending a warm appreciation to: Arlington Heights Bicycle Club, Velo Club Roubaix, McLean County Wheelers for their generous support of Ride Illinois’ mission.
Click here to learn about generous clubs and community organizations.
Corporate Members
Ride Illinois is grateful to have the continued support of our Corporate Members. This month, we gratefully acknowledge Out Our Front Door, Freeman Kevenides Law Firm, and Jen's Art Gifts & Books for renewing their Corporate Membership – supporting bike education, advocacy, and awareness for another year.
We also would like to welcome our newest corporate member, Saxe Enterprises! We are very fortunate to have them join our cause to make Illinois better through biking. We’re looking forward to our first year of partnership with Saxe Enterprises and greatly appreciate their support.
Businesses and corporations that believe in Ride Illinois’ mission are invited to join as a Corporate Member. Learn more and explore options at rideillinois.org/corporate-membership.Click here to learn more about our generous Corporate Members.
Grants Opportunities
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.
Outride's Riding for Focus Grant
Riding for Focus is designed to integrate cycling into the school day. Developed as a result of our research findings, R4F is designed to help young riders build confidence and skills on the bike. Eligible schools may receive a grant to establish a program, which includes a fleet of bikes and curriculum. Application deadline is February 28, 2026.
RWJF Local Data for Equitable Communities Grant
Get funding to launch Project Sidewalk in your community: Disability organizations, Active Transportation organizations, and others apply for this RWJF grant to receive $50,000 to collect, analyze, and use data. What better time to launch Project Sidewalk in your community and use the data to support more accessible communities! The Project Sidewalk team would be happy to provide no-cost support to your community, provide training, and technical support. Application deadline is March 3 2026.
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 recently attended an event hosted by Equiticity to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr (L) and led a discussion about micromobility for the Sierra Club River Prairie Group (R).
