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Greetings
Hello {{First Name}},
We hope it's been a wonderful start to your fall. There's much to celebrate this year, and we intend to finish the year off strong! None of our successes happened on their own. It happened because people like you showed up, spoke up, and kept working – even when the goings got tough. To everyone who played a part in our success, big or small: thank you! We see you and applaud the work you’re doing in your community.
Successes are a sweet reminder that the quiet, everyday work really adds up. Progress can feel slow at times, but with the right people beside us, we always enjoy a tailwind!
If our work resonates with you, we invite you to join Ride Illinois. Progress doesn’t come from luck – it takes time, dedication, and support from people like you. Our members keep us moving forward!
➡️ 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 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.
On September 17th, three Ride Illinois staff, two board members, two committee members, and several members participated in a League Cycling Advocate (LCA) workshop in Chicago. The workshop was hosted by League of American Bicyclists and was geared toward emerging leaders, plus advocates newly entering the bike movement.
In addition, Ride Illinois has enhanced our overall impact by contracting with a lobbyist, hosting Lobby Days, publishing a Legislative Scorecard, and strengthening connections with state senators and representatives. Successful completion of the LCA workshop enhanced Ride Illinois’ advocacy credentials and improved our playbook.
👉 Read more about this important legislation in this article
SAVE THE DATE: 2027 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit
The 2027 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit is Illinois's premier gathering for people who want to make it easier and safer to get around their communities, while biking, walking, and rolling. Advocates, planners, engineers, elected officials, and neighbors from communities of various sizes come together to learn, trade ideas, and leave with practical solutions to take home to improve their communities. All are welcome!
Every big change starts small: a new bike lane, a trail connection, a conversation with a local official. That's the idea behind the conference's theme: Step by Step, Mile by Mile. Registration will open in late 2026.
Shout Out from LAB: Stop Super Speeders Legislation
League of American Bicyclists included Ride Illinois in a recent article that celebrates local wins. The focus of the shout out was HB 4948 – Illinois' Stop Super Speeders legislation – which was signed into law in July.
Advocating for better places to bike and walk takes persistence, patience, and the willingness to keep showing up, even when progress feels slow. Thanks to LAB for including this legislative success in their recent article!
Municipalities across Illinois have consulted Ride Illinois’ meaningful guidance related to micromobility devices (e-bikes, e-scooters, etc). The clear, practical recommendations were instrumental in the passage of SB 3484, which goes into effect on January 1, 2027.
To increase public awareness of the legislation and the different types of micromobility devices, we've developed a handy new postcard. The back side of the postcard offers useful reminders for safe travel when driving, riding and rolling, and walking. This new postcard and a letter-size poster is available via our Request Materials page.
Environment & Awareness
UN Declaration: End ‘Silent Pandemic’ of Fatal Traffic Crashes
Experts warned that road traffic crashes have become a silent pandemic and called on the international community to build transport systems that put people first. Road deaths declined by only 5% between 2010 and 2021. More than 1.1 million lost their lives on the world’s roads in 2025 alone, and behind every statistic lies a name, a face, a story.
The declaration set a global target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% by 2030. Of the 163 votes cast by United Nations member countries, the U.S. was the vote against the declaration 🤦♂️.
👉 Read about the Global Road Safety declaration at this link
Get to Know: Black Girls Do Bike – Peoria
Black Girls Do Bike – Peoria exists to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive community that centers women of color in cycling. They are committed to advancing joy, wellness, freedom, and connection through biking, while breaking down barriers that have historically limited access and representation in cycling spaces 🚴♀️
Infrastructure
Active Transportation Plan for Illinois
The Walk.Roll.Illinois Active Transportation Plan is a statewide effort to help communities create safer, more accessible ways for people to walk, bike, or use a mobility device to the places they need to go. The plan provides a roadmap for improving accessibility and gives communities the tools and resources they need to turn ideas into action. Ride Illinois is pleased to serve on the steering committee for this important plan.
👉 Check out the Active Transportation Plan at this link
RTC's Toolkit for Generating Trail Tourism
Trails are an important contributor to the growing outdoor recreation economy, and a powerful asset in attracting people seeking outdoor-oriented destinations. Rails to Trails Conservancy created a toolkit as a practical resource to support communities as they prepare to welcome trail users and develop the amenities, partnerships and visitor services that support successful trail tourism. Hooray for more and better trails!
Celebrate bicycling and promote healthy active lifestyles by biking to school on National Bike to School Day and beyond! Chicago Family Biking has been organizing bike buses and promoting biking to school for several years. They've developed some useful resources that can get more youngsters using their bikes to get to school and other destinations.
👉 Review the Bike to School resources at this link
Book Recommendation: Two Wheels Good
We live on a bicycle planet. Across the world, more people travel by bicycle than any other form of transportation. Almost anyone can learn to ride a bike—and nearly everyone does. In Two Wheels Good, journalist and critic Jody Rosen reshapes our understanding of this ubiquitous machine, an ever-present force in humanity’s life and dream life—and a flash point in culture wars—for more than two hundred years.
💡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
👉 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'd like to recognize two renewing and two new Corporate Members! First, we'd like to thank Boulevard Bikes & SRAM for their continued support!
We're excited to recognize two new Corporate Members. We’re grateful for their support and are excited to have these businesses on board:
Oppenheimer Gallery is a Chicago based family art gallery and conservation studio, celebrates historic natural history art.
Still Ride Bike Shop, located in Tinley Park, works to keep you safe, out and about, and enjoying the ride.
Corporate Members play a vital role in our work and we extend a sincere thank you to all our Corporate Members.
If you’re a business owner – or work for a company that shares our values – please become a Ride Illinois Corporate Member. The program offers benefits for businesses of all sizes. We're actively working to expand our growing network of supportive businesses!
Grant Opportunities
Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program
The goal of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program is to allocate resources to well-planned smaller scale, but critically important projects that provide and support connected alternate modes of transportation that are safe for all users, enhance the transportation system through preservation of visual and cultural resources, and improve the quality of life for members of the communities impacted. Application deadline is October 5, 2026.
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 participated in a League Cycling Advocate workshop at the Illinois Medical District in Chicago (L) and coordinated the 2026 Bicycle Pilgrimage in Palos Park with Pastor Jebasingh (R).
