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Greetings
Hello John,
Fall is here and something is lurking around the corner: Election Day on November 3. But, here’s the good news. Voting doesn’t have to be scary – no costumes required and no one is going to jump out from behind the ballot box.
Voting is one of the most powerful ways to shape our communities. The people we elect decide what legislation gets passed, what gets funded, and how safe it is to bike, walk, and roll around the state. Every vote is a chance to choose leaders who will keep that progress rolling.
This is where our Legislative Scorecard comes in. It shows how your Senators and Representatives have supported (or not supported) biking issues in the past. This resource allows you to form your own opinions with real facts in hand. No tricks, all treats!
Progress doesn’t happen by luck. It happens because people show up – at the ballot box and beyond – and that work is powered by our members. Please become a member to support Ride Illinois' year-round efforts.
➡️ Keep reading for details on recent progress, what’s next, and what’s happening around the state. Let's make Illinois better through biking!
Ride Illinois has maintained a Three-Star rating from Charity Navigator for several years. Know that you can support us with confidence 👏👏👏
We're proud of our accomplishments and transparency with our members and the public. We maintain our Charity Navigator profile to summarize the impact that generous contributions help us achieve.
Thanks to the Ride Illinois members who shared their input via our Legislative Priority Survey! In addition to member input, we collaborate with our Advocacy Committee and lobbyist to establish priorities for the 2027 spring legislative session. Updates will be shared once those conversations have taken place. After the election, call your elected officials or schedule a meeting to share why safe bicycling and connected trails and infrastructure is important to you!
Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Pilot Legislation
If the bill passes, HB 4663 allow a pilot of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) in Illinois. This bill may resurface in the upcoming veto session (November 17-19) in Springfield. Ride Illinois and partners are actively discussing the legislation, including concerns about AVs operating near bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users. We'll be sure to keep you posted on this fast moving legislation!
During the 2025-2026 school year, students from nearly 200 schools from all corners of Illinois completed one of our new and improved quizzes for Child Bicyclists, Adult Bicyclists, and Motorists. A total of 67,304 students were included on claims submitted by schools. Since 2018, more than 412,000 quizzes have been completed by students in Illinois schools!
👉 Read more about our BSQ Mini-Grants in this article
A Dangerous Combination: Children and e-motos
With the holidays fast approaching, we're sharing a reminder to avoid purchasing e-motos for children under 16. They may look like bicycles, but electric motor driven cycles (aka e-motos) are capable of unsafe speeds and are unregulated. Some children have been seriously injured or killed while riding these unsafe devices. Just say no!
As a reminder, a new Illinois law goes into effect on January 1, 2027. Ride Illinois is pleased to have played a key role in crafting this sensible legislation. Beginning January 1, 2027:
The minimum age to operate an electric motor driven cycle (aka e-moto) will be 16
A license, registration, and insurance will be required to operate an electric motor driven cycle (aka e-moto)
Electric motor driven cycles (aka e-motos) are not allowed on sidewalks, bike infrastructure, or trails
Also, the minimum age to operate a low-speed e-scooter will be 16
Environment & Awareness
2026 Illinois Comprehensive Climate Action Plan
Illinois has made substantial progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in recent years, but it is not yet on track to meet its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan is intended to provide a roadmap for Illinois to reduce its carbon footprint to as little as 72% below its 2005 baseline.
The transportation sector is the largest source of GHG emissions in Illinois (28%). To reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), a primary recommendation is to invest heavily in public transit, walking, and biking infrastructure. Making it easier and safer for people to travel on foot and by bike will also help reduce household transportation expenses.
Downers Grove Bicycle Club offers terrific bike riding opportunities throughout the year and social gatherings and friendships through our shared interest in cycling. With over 100 members, they are small enough to get to know one another through rides and social activities. Members include all levels of cyclists. Whatever your level of experience, we welcome you to join us. 🚴♀️
Infrastructure
2027 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit
The 2027 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit (ILBWS27) will take place on April 13-14 at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. The theme for the conference is Step by Step, Mile by Mile.
Professionals, advocates, and change-makers from communities of all sizes are encouraged to attend the conference to learn, collaborate, and identify creative solutions to improve biking, walking, and trails in their community.
The benefits of active transportation are hard to argue. Some highlights:
Cycling infrastructure projects create 11.4 jobs per $1M
Complete Streets projects avert $18.1M in collision/ injury costs
Walkable areas generate 75% higher commercial rent premiums
People who bike to businesses make more trips and spend more
Homes in walkable neighborhoods sell for 23.5% more.
👉 Check out the Active Transportation Plan at this link
Community
Awareness Ride in Rockford
Rockford recently experienced two tragedies involving bicyclists on the same day – October 20th. A 58-year-old woman and 12-year-old boy were killed while biking. To allow the community to grieve and to raise awareness about safety concerns, Rise and Ride Rockford dedicated their weekly group ride to the victims. Participants said the recent crashes highlight ongoing concerns about safety on local roadways and the need for improved infrastructure.
Book Recommendation: Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle
The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle is about a determined 12-year-old girl bikes across the country in this quirky and charming debut middle grade novel. Introverted Bicycle has lived most of her life at the Mostly Silent Monastery in Washington, D.C. When her guardian announces that Bicycle is going to attend a camp where she will learn to make friends, Bicycle says no way and sets off on her bike for San Francisco to meet her idol, a famous cyclist, certain he will be her first true friend.
💡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
Much appreciation to our Affiliated Clubs & Community Orgs for their support of our mission. Join us in thanking Chicago Area Tandem Society and Schaumburg Bicycle Club for their recent donations. We work on issues across the state, but these clubs and organizations are the local heroes doing the work in their own communities. Thank you for your support and for everything you do for biking in Illinois.
👉 Click here to learn about generous clubs and community orgs. Don’t see your club or organization? Join today! Reach out to Savannah, savannah@rideillinois.org, with questions on how to become an affiliated club or organization and join the list of amazing groups that support nonprofit bicycle advocacy in Illinois!
Corporate Members
Behind every mile of progress are the businesses that believe in it. Our Corporate Members are local companies, shops, and organizations that invest in safer streets and a stronger bicycling community in Illinois. When you choose to support them, you’re supporting us, too.
Do you own or work for a company that shares our mission? A Corporate Membership is a great way to put your values into action. Your support helps fund our advocacy, education, and awareness work. When you become a Corporate Member, your business gets in front of an engaged community of people who care about biking in Illinois. It’s good for your community and good for your business!
Riding for Focus is a school cycling program designed to help students improve focus, confidence, and overall well-being through riding. Developed as a result of our research findings, the program 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, helmets, and curriculum. Application deadline is January 29, 2027.
Illinois Bicycle Calendar
🗓 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:
Ride Illinois recently attended a social gathering hosted by League of American Bicyclists (L) and our Board of Directors hosted their quarterly meeting at the HNTB office in Chicago (R).
