Relevant news, updates, and encouragement from Ride Illinois to your inbox!
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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. It’s so easy!
Holiday Greetings
Membership Appeal and Board Match
Riding a bicycle offers numerous benefits to people and the planet. You get it, so we’re asking for your support and to spread the word. During our Year-end Membership Appeal, one’s membership dollars will have twice the impact The generous Ride Illinois Board of Directors has agreed to a Matching Gift Challenge. Every new membership or increased contribution will be matched, dollar-for-dollar up to $7,950. We are just $2,000 shy of our goal! We hope this offers a little extra incentive to support Ride Illinois!
Generosity
Affiliated Club News
Many thanks to the McLean County Wheelers, Schaumburg Bicycle Club and G.O.A.T.S. Cycling for their continued support of Ride Illinois. The clubs support and promote bicycling in their community. The important work that local organizations do is key to progress at the state level.
Learn more about Affiliated Clubs & Community Organizations on our website.
Corporate Member News
Maple Leaf Coffee Roastersrecently renewed their Silver Level Corporate Membership. Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters is an artisan coffee roaster that strives to serve both the casual coffee drinker and coffee obsessive by offering a variety of roasts, origins and carefully crafted options. Pick up some Rocket Fuel Blend – a coffee that supports Ride Illinois!
Click here to learn more about our generous Corporate Members from a variety of industries.
Community
Collaboration with National Youth Bike Council
Ride Illinois has developed a strong connection with the National Youth Bike Council since meeting several of their members at the 2023 National Bike Summit. NYBC is a youth-led non-profit that creates a space for our peers to feel empowered and have the tools, leadership skills, and youth role models necessary to be leaders in their own community. Our partnership enables Ride Illinois to enhance our programs and advocacy initiatives so we’re being better equipped to support young individuals.
Education & Safety
Ruling that Insured Peds/Cyclists Entitled to Coverage
The Illinois Supreme Court recently ruled that insured pedestrians or bicyclists struck by a hit-and-run or uninsured driver should be entitled to uninsured motorist coverage from their insurance companies.
Uninsured motorist coverage helps people pay for damages caused by a driver who is not insured. Check your auto insurance policy and add this coverage, if finances allow. Read the Sun-Times article here.
Launched in 2022, this mini-grant program awards organizations for projects and initiatives that catalyze a community’s ability to create places where bicycling is safer, easier, and more accessible.
The goal is for organizations to propose projects that spark change by expanding capacity for local leaders and creating inclusive coalitions that help build more Bicycle Friendly Communities. Learn more here.
Trail Update from Central Illinois
The Kickapoo Rail Trail (KRT) has received a state grant needed to complete the trail from Urbana to Kickapoo State Park. The aim is to complete the trail by the end of 2025. Read more about the trail, grant and project here.
Advocacy & Infrastructure
IDOT’s VRU Safety Assessment
With input from Ride Illinois and our partners, IDOT recently completed a Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment for Illinois. This assessment develops a data-driven process to identify strategies and programs that reduce traffic related deaths and life-altering injuries of vulnerable road users on all public roads, with an intentional and proactive emphasis on addressing the safety of vulnerable road users in underserved communities. The VRU Safety Assessment provides a foundation for improving safety for VRUs across Illinois.
Update on Recommendations to ILSOS
Ride Illinois recently had a follow-up meeting with the Illinois Secretary of State to discuss vulnerable road user safety. We’re pleased to report that the secretary and his staff prioritized the recommendations submitted by Ride Illinois and our partners. Their initial priorities include:
enhancing the driver education curriculum with a stronger emphasis on people outside of motor vehicles
requiring motorists to change lanes to pass a bicyclist
prohibiting the use of bike lanes by motor vehicles statewide
Stay tuned to Ride Illinois for updates on this important 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’ll appreciate:
