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Greetings
Hello John,
You know that little jolt of joy when you spot a new bike lane, or a trail that finally connects two neighborhoods? Someone had to fight for that, through meetings, phone calls, and a lot of showing up. That's what Ride Illinois does, just a step back from the pavement.
Ride Illinois isn't out there painting lines on streets ourselves, but we're in the rooms where decisions get made: pushing for policies, funding, and awareness that make biking, walking, and rolling safer across the state. It's advocacy, education, and a lot of persistence, and none of it happens without support behind it.
So, here's our ask: if you've enjoyed getting around Illinois – by bike, on foot, or however you roll – please become a Ride Illinois member. By doing so, we can walk into a room and say "thousands of Illinoisans are counting on this," and actually mean it.
Keep scrolling for what we've been working on, a few wins worth celebrating, and what's on deck for the rest of the summer 🌞.
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. Visit our Candid profile to learn more.
Ride Illinois continues to work closely with our lobbyist, elected officials, and partners on legislation and policy to increase bicyclist safety and improve infrastructure in communities of all sizes in Illinois.
SB 3484 – a bill championed by Ride Illinois – is awaiting Governor Pritzker’s signature. This important legislation clearly differentiates between legal classes of e-bikes (1, 2, and 3) and e-motos. The bill also results in consistent rules for to e-bikes, e-motos, and micromobility devices across the state. We've been told the bill will be signed in August. The law will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Tell Congress: The Safety of Bike Lanes Can't be Erased
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently removed bike lanes, road diets, and speed management from their Proven Safety Countermeasures website. Proven Safety Countermeasures are highly effective, data-driven strategies or physical modification implemented on roads and highways that keep us safe, and which the USDOT highly recommends states and local governments implement.
Ride Illinois strongly disagrees with this decision! We encourage you to complete this Action Alert from League of American Bicyclists to demand an explanation on why the Federal Highway Administration is erasing protections for vulnerable road users.
Education & Safety
BikeSafetyQuiz 2.0 for Public Events
Download brief, informative, printable PDF versions of our popular (and updated) BikeSafetyQuiz for use at public events. These quizzes are perfect for community events, block parties, school gatherings, and more.
Adult Bicyclist: for teens and adults
Child Bicyclist: for 4th and 5th graders (or younger with adult help)
Motorist/Drivers Ed: for motorists and driver’s education students
League Cycling Advocate (LCA) Workshop in September
Ride Illinois has partnered with League of American Bicyclists to offer a League Cycling Advocate (LCA) workshop on Thursday, September 17. The workshop is geared toward emerging leaders, advocates newly entering the bike movement, and anyone else interested in gaining League certification as a bike advocate. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Ride Illinois staff will be participating!
👉 Limited spots remain and the deadline to register is August 14.
Environment & Awareness
Who Doesn't Have a Car?
A bicycle is far more than a healthy activity for warm, sunny days. For many people in Illinois, a bicycle is a practical mode of transportation.
Access to transportation in the United States is critical to finding employment and commuting to work, going to school, seeing doctors, or simply getting groceries. But elected officials and government policymakers often have a limited understanding of their constituents’ access to transportation options; in particular, the millions of too-often invisible Americans who cannot or choose not to drive.
36.7% of Illinoisans do not rely on personal vehicles for daily trips
Households spend $14,047 per year on their vehicles
73% of people with disabilities don't drive for most of their trips
37.6% of people over 75 have driving limitations
Enhancements to the Illinois Bicycle Calendar
Our Illinois Bicycle Calendar includes over 160 bike-related events all around Illinois. In addition to the handy Map of Future Events that we recently developed, you can now add events directly to your personal calendar by clicking the Add to Calendar button on events of interest. We hope you appreciate these recent enhancements 😀
👉 Want to add a ride or event to the calendar? It’s so easy! Complete the brief form on the Illinois Bicycle Calendar page to share the details.
👉 Check out the calendar, spread the word, and submit future events
Get to Know: Bicycle Club of Lake County
Since 1978, the Bicycle Club of Lake County has offered rides in length from 10 miles to daylong tours of 75 miles or more. In addition, BCLC's annual Ramble takes place each June and is enjoyed by more than 200 participants! 🚴♀️ 🚴
Infrastructure
What’s That? Confirmation Signs
Confirmation signs indicate to bicyclists and other trail users that haven't strayed from their chosen path. When installed at key locations and regular intervals, confirmation signs also increase awareness of motorists who are driving along an established bike route. Ideally, such signs Include the name of the trail or bikeway. These signs may also include the 3 D's: distance, destination, and direction.
Made possible by an $11.9 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity or RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Project ROCK built a bridge across the Rock River using old Illinois Central railroad piers that connects into a system of paths in the city’s Page Park.
Community
Bicycle Friendly Community Applications from Illinois
The following communities recently applied to be recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) by the League of American Bicyclists:
Chicago
Edwardsville
Geneva
Hoffman Estates
Lake County
Warrenville
You are invited to share your feedback on these communities! For any community that you are familiar with, please complete the survey before September 8, both to inform the League’s BFC award decision, as well as to provide feedback to the applicant community about how they can improve conditions for bicyclists. Thank you!
Bike Talk is a podcast about prioritizing transportation by the most efficient form of transportation – the bicycle. Recent episodes discuss changes to federal guidance related to bike lanes and road diets 😡, plus biking in wildfire smoke and climate change 🔥
💡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
Ride Illinois is fortunate to have the support of Bicycle Club of Lake County and their financial support of our mission. Collaboration with bike clubs and community organizations allows us to remain in the loop on local matters.
👉 If you’re a business owner – or work for a company that shares our values – please become Ride Illinois Corporate Member. Our Corporate Member program offers benefits that fit businesses of all sizes and we’d love to have you join our growing network of advocates and supporters!
Grant Opportunities
Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP)
🗓 Our handy online calendar includes many organized or charity rides, advocacy events, education courses, races, community slow rolls, and other bike-related happenings.
Want to add your ride or event to the Illinois Bicycle Calendar? Click the yellow button on right side of the page to complete our brief form.
Below are a few rides and events that we think you'll appreciate:
LCIs and Ride Illinois celebrated a successful bike enrichment program for youth for The Academy Group (L) and participated in the Divvy Charity Race at the Fulton Market Grand Prix (R). Though our team didn't win, we got some sweet bucket hats 😂
