Relevant news, updates, and encouragement from Ride Illinois to your inbox!
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
Greetings
Thanks for your interest in Ride Illinois and our efforts to make Illinois better through biking! Individual contributions fund our important advocacy, education and awareness efforts. Learn about the ways you can support Ride Illinois at rideillinois.org/join-support.
Not sure of your Ride Illinois membership status? Click here to log into your account. Once you’re logged in, you also can check your status, view your giving history, plus update your profile.
Ride Illinois Summer Membership Appeal
As you are likely aware, Ride Illinois is dedicated to making biking safer and more accessible for adults and children throughout the state. Not only does bicycling enhance one's physical and mental wellbeing, it also helps to build stronger communities and protect the environment. The remarkable bicycle truly has a positive impact on all aspects of our lives.Your membership matters! During our Summer Membership Appeal, we’re asking those who are not already members to support our important work by joining Ride Illinois for as little as $15. Your generous donation will fund our advocacy, education, and awareness efforts in 2024 and beyond. Click the button below to join today! Already a member? Please encourage your friends and family to join too!
For our fourth annual Let’s Ride, Illinois event, we are extending the dates to allow even more opportunities to rid – from Friday, September 6, 2024 through Sunday, September 22, 2024. We are inviting all of our members and supporters to organize a ride in their community. Another option is to request that a ride to be organized by your local community, park district, library, etc. More details are on our website, including info on two planning webinars.
Generosity
Affiliated Club News
Ride Illinois is grateful to the bicycle clubs that support our mission – through collaborations with us, helping us promote safety and education and through donations. Many thanks to the Evanston Bicycle Club for their continued support of our work! Learn more about Affiliated Clubs & Community Organizations on our website.
Thanks to those who participated in our annual Grand Illinois Bike Tour, including our wonderful volunteers! Our 2025 Grand Illinois Bike Tour is planned for June 8, 2025 through June 13, 2025. The route will again have a figure-eight configuration. We'll start and end in Rochelle, with two nights in Ottawa, one night in DeKalb, and two nights in Rockford. Join us for some more great biking and camaraderie. Hope to see you in June 2025 at next year's GIBT.
Book Suggestion
Looking for a book to read? Check out Old Bones, Young Spirit, by John McShea. Ride Illinois executive director Dave Simmons had an opportunity to review the book and wrote “Pedaling around Lake Michigan is a journey that few will embark on. Determined to raise funds for a worthwhile cause, John forges ahead on this two-wheeled adventure – faced with rain and wind, several flat tires, and challenging routes. Old Bones, Young Spirit recaps his epic adventure. John’s book also offers the history of the native Americans, settlers, and current residents who have embraced and endured life along the extraordinary shores of Lake Michigan. This detailed, personal account of one man’s journey around Lake Michigan confirms that a bicycle is the best way to fully experience life’s ups and downs."
What bike-related books do you recommend? From epic adventures to practical advice, to the benefits of biking, there are lots of books about bikes out there! Send your suggestions to info@rideIllinois.org and we may include it in a future newsletter.
Education & Safety
Tips on Riding in the Heat
Last month, we asked for tips on riding in the heat and we received a wealth of information to help you stay cool (or, at least, cooler) on your summer rides. Below are some tips that social media followers shared:
Ride early or late, such as morning or evening
Ride shady, breezy trails
Wear thin bibs and jerseys, or try linen
Apply (and re-apply) sunscreen or wear UV sleeves and leggings
Hydrate. The process starts at least a day before a long ride, during the ride, and even after the ride
Fill bottles 2/3 of the way and put them in the freezer. Top the bottle off before the ride
Snack on salted almonds, energy chews, or a pickle for sodium/electrolyte replenishment
Pour water on your head or on a bandana placed around your neck
Plan frequent and longer stops to allow your body to cool down
Interested in becoming a League Certified Instructor?
A League Cycling Instructor (LCI) seminar will take place in Normal this fall. The LCI seminar will be held from Friday, October 4, 2024 through Sunday, October 6, 2024. LCIs are ambassadors for better biking through their education efforts. Click here for some great reasons to become an LCI.
A prerequisite for the seminar is to successfully complete the Smart Cycling Traffic Skills 101 Course. A on-bike session of this course will be held on September 7, 2024 in Urbana.
To request information on the LCI seminar, contact Dave Simmons at dave@rideillinois.org.
Environment & Awareness
2024 Youth Bike Summit: Youth Lead the Way!
The positive energy and enthusiasm for bicycles was palpable at the 2024 Youth Bike Summit (YBS) that took place in Allentown, PA last month. Ride Illinois’ Executive Director, Dave Simmons, attended the youth-focused event to learn from and connect with about 225 adults and young people from across the country. The theme of the event was “Youth Lead the Way.” We’re pleased to share a brief recap of our experience here. The lessons learned and the connections made will be leveraged to update and develop Ride Illinois programs that have an intentional focus on future generations.
Illinois Walkability Virtual Academy
Ride Illinois is a proud member of the State Team for the Illinois Walkability Virtual Academy – a series of 10 virtual working sessions that continue through early August. Four Illinois communities (Broadview, Brookport, Maywood, and Mendota) are participating and have appointed interdisciplinary teams with key staff who focus on public health, transportation, planning, and local government. As a member of the State Team, Ride Illinois is offering resources and expertise to aid the development of action plans for each community that will result in more walkable, bikeable, livable places to live, work, and visit. We’re thrilled to participate in this meaningful workshop.
Advocacy & Legislation
Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Grants
It's possible for bike/ped projects in your community to be funded with Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grants. The Illinois Department of Transportation, the Active Transportation Alliance and the Illinois Public Health Institute are hosting a three-part webinar series with the next webinar scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 21. Find more information, including a recording of the webinar that took place on July 10th, on the Active Transportation Alliance website.
Chicago E-Bike Battery Ordinance
Thanks to efforts from advocacy organizations, including Ride Illinois, a poorly-drafted ordinance regarding lithium-ion battery safety certifications was recently moved back to committee instead of being voted on by the city council. The ordinance lacked the latest battery certification specifications for e-bikes and other mobility devices that had been shared with the sponsors well before the ordinance was discussed in committee.
Advocates aim to ensure that lithium-ion batteries that are included with e-bikes and other mobility devices meet strict safety standards when being charged and stored. A meeting with advocates and the ordinance’s sponsor is scheduled for early August. During that conversation, incorporating current lithium-ion battery specifications and certifications (maintained by People for Bikes) into the ordinance will be the main topic.
Events Calendar
Ride Illinois helps to promote the organized rides of affiliated bike clubs and supporting organizations. Below are some events we think you will appreciate:
.jpg)
.jpg)