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Greetings
Hello {{Constituent First Name}}
The past month gave Ride Illinois a lot to celebrate! Wins we've been chasing for a while finally landed, and honestly, it's the kind of stuff that makes all the hard work worth it. None of it happened on its own – it happened because people showed up, spoke up, and kept pushing even when progress felt slow. To everyone who played a part – big or small: thank you. We see you, and we don't take you for granted!
It's a good reminder that the hard, often unglamorous work actually pays off. It just takes time – and it takes people willing to stick with it.
We're humbly asking you to join Ride Illinois. Wins like the ones we're celebrating don't happen because of luck – they happen because Ride Illinois has real people standing behind us. Your membership allows us to show up and speak up for adults and children who ride a bicycle in Illinois. Be a part of the journey!
Keep reading for the details on recent accomplishments and what's next – because Ride Illinois never stop pedaling forward!
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.
Legislation & Policy
The Latest from Springfield
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.
We're pleased to share that SB 3484 – Illinois’ Sensible Micromobility Regulations legislation – was signed into law by Governor Pritzker on August 26th.
Ride Illinois has been advocating for this legislation for well over a year. We have been proactive in crafting a state-level solution that embraces new mobility modes while retaining a focus on public safety. The law will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy erased the data that shows bike lanes reduce crashes and don’t cause congestion. Then he asked Congress to defund all bike lanes — and even remove bike lanes from busy roads. Now, Congress may be listening: the Senate is considering adding language to the transportation reauthorization bill that would restrict what kinds of roads could have bike lanes on them at all. Ride Illinois strongly disagrees with this line of thinking!
‼️ Please complete this Action Alert from League of American Bicyclists to tell your elected representatives to vote NO on any transportation reauthorization bill that would restrict the ability of federal funding to be used on bike safety projects.
We need everyone in Congress to hear us clearly: bike lanes save lives and bicyclists have a right to ride on the roads and get home safely.
Speeding remains one of the most persistent and challenging traffic safety problems in the United States. Although most drivers acknowledge that excessive speed increases crash risk and crash severity, speeding continues to be widely practiced and socially accepted in many driving situations. Bicyclists, pedestrians, and other people traveling outside of a motor vehicle are particularly vulnerable.
Municipalities across Illinois (and in other states) have consulted Ride Illinois’ meaningful guidance related to micromobility devices (e-bikes, e-scooters, etc). The clear, practical recommendations were instrumental in the development and passage of SB 3484.
To increase public awareness of the legislation and the different types of micromobility devices, we've developed a new Where to Ride & Roll postcard. The back side of the postcard offers useful reminders for safe travel when driving, riding and rolling, and walking. This new postcard will be available via our Request Materials page in mid-September.
Environment & Awareness
Drivetime Movement
A teenager from the suburbs of Illinois. A neighborhood full of parking lots. And the question nobody was asking out loud.
Kenyen Coleman started looking into it and found out that the suburb he grew up in wasn't an accident. It was the product of decades of deliberate policy – zoning laws that separated homes from jobs, highways built through communities, parking minimums that consumed land that could have been parks or transit, federal subsidies that made car ownership feel cheap while hiding the true cost. Every highway, every parking lot, every missing sidewalk was a choice.
Visit drivetimemovement.org to find out exactly what that choice has cost your life – in numbers you can't unsee.
Get to Know: Lincoln Prairie Trails Conservancy
The Lincoln Prairie Trails Conservancy was incorporated as a nonprofit, charitable organization in 2017. Their efforts focus on the Lincoln Prairie Trail – a 14.6-mile asphalt paved bike/hike rail-trail, connecting the cities of Pana and Taylorville in Christian County 🚴♀️ 🚴
Infrastructure
Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP)
The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) is now accepting applications. With $157 million available, this is the largest funding cycle ever. Projects eligible for funding through ITEP include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification work and other improvements designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level.
NACTO's Urban Bikeway Design Guide recommends that intersections be designed so that each user has some time and space to slow, stop, or change their path when they see others about to enter their paths. One way to accomplish this is to incorporate approach visibility zones.
💥 Learn more about reducing conflicts at intersections at this link.
Community
2026 Let's Ride, Illinois!
Our annual Let’s Ride, Illinois event celebrates the joy, freedom, and community that bicycling brings to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Throughout September, free, welcoming, casual rides will bring neighbors and communities closer together across the state. Anyone can organize or participate in a ride, and everyone is welcome to celebrate the joy that biking brings to their communities. More than 15 rides have already been scheduled from Rockford to Tilden!
Finders keepers, right? When Ruben picks up someone’s lost money, he finds out how hard it can be to do the right thing. Presenting a relatable story told with subtlety and heart results in this satisfying picture book.
💡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.
👉 Click here to learn about our Affiliated Bike Clubs & Community Organizations. Don’t see your club or organization? Join today! Reach out to savannah@rideillinois.org with questions.
Corporate Members
This month we’ve been privileged enough to welcome a new corporate member. Please give a warm welcome to Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC! We’re looking forward to having their support and welcoming them to the Ride Illinois community for the upcoming year of membership.
Corporate Members play a vital role in our work. We sincerely appreciation all of our Corporate Members. If you’re a business owner – or work for a company that shares our values – you're invited to join Ride Illinois as a Corporate Member. This program offers benefits that fit for businesses of all sizes. We’d love to have you join our growing network of advocates and supporters!
Grant Opportunities
Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity
The Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity (DCEO) manages several grant programs. Grants are available for small businesses, economic development, and community-based projects. It's worth reviewing these grant programs to learn more and determine if your community or organization is eligible.
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:
Board members, Rudy Faust and Anna Wolf, joined us at the 2026 Fly the Co-op community ride (L) and we were joined by committee member, Mikie Swier, at our booth at an Environmental Resource Fair in Streamwood (R).
