First Gear
Some people experience periods of time when things just click. Athletes refer to this as being in the “zone.” While Ride Illinois isn’t making acrobatic shots like Michael Jordan, the organization is operating at a more effective, impactful level. My hope is that you recognize Ride Illinois’ evolution and increased focus on advocacy in recent years. It helps that the current board of directors is the most talented and determined in the organization’s 32-year history.
Strategic Plan Update
Ride Illinois’ #1 goal is to greatly reduce, and ultimately eliminate, bicyclist fatalities in Illinois. Achieving this goal (while increasing the number of trips by bike) requires legislation, policy, and collaboration at the local, state, and federal level. The Strategic Plan is available for review at rideillinois.org/strategic-plan
Ride Illinois strives to make trips by bicycle easier, safer, and more accessible to adults and children of all ages and abilities. Each trip by bicycle is beneficial for people, communities, and the planet. Plus, investments in connected trails and infrastructure makes good economic sense for communities of all sizes!
Our country’s transportation system prioritizes vehicle speed and volume over safety. The speed at which drivers of cars and trucks travel is often alarming and endangers all road users. Safety of people moving about outside of motor vehicles deserves much more attention from elected officials and departments of transportation. Decades of car-centric transportation planning is the root cause, but the pendulum is starting to swing the other way! Planners and engineers are designing infrastructure with a people-first mentality. Many young people prefer to walk, bike, or take transit to the financial burden of car ownership. Forwardthinking elected officials and decision makers support legislation and policies that invest in people and communities. And advocates, like you, are demanding safe, connected infrastructure and abundant trails.
Dive into this edition of Upshift from start to finish to learn about Ride Illinois’ programs, campaigns, initiatives, and priorities. For a small nonprofit on a limited budget, we relish in making “good trouble” – a term coined by the late Congressman, John Lewis. Whether you maintain an annual membership, volunteer at an event, share our materials, or chat up Ride Illinois with friends and family, there are many ways to support our important work. Keep on pedaling!
Dave Simmons Executive Director dave@rideillinois.org
Recent progress includes: establishing legislative priorities, offering an League Cycling Instructor seminar in Normal, new and stronger partnerships, and a program to raise awareness of fatal crashes. Ride Illinois’ staff, board, and committees are working diligently to make Illinois better through biking.
Inspired by Youth at YBS24
Executive Director, Dave Simmons, attended the Youth Bike Summit (YBS) in June in Pennsylvania. The youth-focused event is led by the National Youth Bike Council and was hosted by Community Bike Works. The YBS attracted 225 youth and adults from across the country. Staff from West Town Bikes and The Recyclery joined Dave for the road trip to PA.
Group rides, keynote and breakout sessions and a tour of Community Bike Works were all a part of the three-day event. For Ride Illinois, the 2024 YBS was an opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with young people from across the country. The lessons learned and the connections made will be leveraged to update and develop programs that have an intentional focus on future generations. Youth lead the way!
Your Advocacy Checklist
Developing a network of informed, local, connected advocates around Illinois is of utmost importance. Below are some tips to get involved in bike advocacy efforts in your community:
Introduce yourself to local elected officials and/or decision makers
Share the pros and cons about riding a bike in your community
Connect with neighbors to discuss concerns and possible solutions
Attend city council meetings to voice concerns
Lead by example: use your bike for everyday trips
Plan a community ride and invite elected officials
Attend the 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit to increase your knowledge and collaborate
‘I Can Bike There’ Campaign
The ‘I Can Bike There’ campaign launched in 2023 through a partnership with Working Bikes and Pointz It aims to educate the public and encourage them to use their bikes for everyday trips, while celebrating those who already use their bicycle as a practical, sustainable mode of transportation.
To date, more than 150 photos have been submitted via the brief form. Destinations include the hardware store, nearby restaurants, errands, work, school, and a trip from Urbana to Washington DC. Wow!
There are many reasons to use a bike for everyday trips, including physical and mental health, saving money, and reducing congestion. Those who shared their I Can Bike There stories stated “Because it was nearby, but too far to walk and there was nowhere to park if I drove” and “It’s often the best part of my day.”
Learn more and share your story at icanbikethere.org.
Updates from Springfield and D.C.
Ride Illinois’ legislative priorities at the state level which were identified by the Advocacy committee include:
• Establishing an e-bike incentive or rebate program for hard-working Illinois residents
• Allowing municipalities to reduce speed limits on dangerous roads under their jurisdiction without conducting a costly engineering study
• Legal recognition of bicyclists as both permitted and intended users of Illinois roads
Bills related to the first two bullet points were introduced in the spring legislative session. The bills did not garner the necessary support in the Illinois House or Senate to move to committee – which is common when a bill is first introduced. Ride Illinois is not deterred and continues to advocate to improve safety and access to bicycles on behalf of Illinois residents.
In March, a strong Illinois delegation attended the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. Advocates scheduled meetings with eight U.S. Representatives and Senator Duckworth to advocate for the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act, the Complete Streets Act of 2024, the Biking Instruction, Knowledge, and Education (BIKE) Act and the Major Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act. Efforts to pass federal legislation are ongoing.
Ride Illinois’ State and Federal Bicycle Bill Tracker provides current status on relevant bills.
Here Come the RATs
Regional Action Team volunteers, affectionately known as RATs, offer their time and knowledge to make Illinois better through biking. Since 2020, more than 70 individuals have joined. RAT volunteers represent Ride Illinois at events and offer assistance on important tasks. The time and energy that volunteers offer expands Ride Illinois’ reach and impact throughout the state. Thank you, RATs!
Interested in becoming a Regional Action Team volunteer? Virtual check-in meetings are held every two months. Learn more and apply at rideillinois.org/ advocacy/regional-action-teams
Community Engagement
Attending events to connect and share resources with adults and children is a highlight of Ride Illinois’ outreach. Residents often share their experience and concerns about riding a bicycle in their community.
Recently, Ride Illinois stopped by the Chicago Winter Bike Swap, a Chicago Grit race, the Major Taylor International Cycling Alliance Conference, a group ride for Cub Scouts in Lemont, and the Fahrrad Tour von Schaumburg. Other engagement included International Women’s Day Together We Ride, the Ride of Silence, community events in North Lawndale, a Bike Bus in Evergreen Park, and a somber ghost bike installation ceremony in Aurora.
Illinois Walkability Virtual Academy
Ride Illinois supported the Illinois Walkability Virtual Academy this summer as a proud member of the State Team. In this role, resources and expertise were shared with four Illinois communities: Broadview, Brookport, Maywood, and Mendota.
Community teams include key staff who focus on public health, transportation, planning, and local government. The community teams are developing specific action plans that will result in more walkable, bikeable places to live, work, and visit.
Raising Awareness to Reduce Fatalities
Ride Illinois remains vigilant with ‘Our Response to Fatal Crashes’ initiative. News of fatal crashes is shared on social media and a map on our website. The purpose is to share details about each tragedy, influence decision makers to make Illinois roads safer, and encourage motorists to drive safely near people traveling outside of motor vehicles – pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users.
Ride Illinois’ is working to greatly reduce, and ultimately eliminate, bicyclist fatalities Illinois. Each fatality on Illinois roads is a tragedy – especially for the victim’s family and friends. By raising awareness and learning more about fatal crashes, solutions can be identified and future tragedies avoided. More info at rideillinois.org/advocacy/fatal-crash-response
Hop on the Bike Bus
As has been widely reported, children benefit from traveling to school on bike or on foot. Encouraging students to bike to school is possible, but there are some hurdles. Ride Illinois is here to help!
Starting a Bike Bus is a fun way to encourage more students to bike to school. Below are tips to get rolling:
1. Gauge interest. Identify other families in your area who are interested in biking to school. There may already be some families riding to school. Connect with adults and students who express interest.
2. Discuss the Bike Bus with the school. Document the logistics and proactively address safety. Meet with the PTO/PTA and/or school administration. Acknowledge concerns that are raised and offer realistic solutions.
3. Plan the route. Choose the starting location and identify stops along the way to school to “pick up” more students. If ages vary widely, plan a shorter route for the younger students.
4. Recruit volunteers. Key roles include adults at the front and back of the Bike Bus, and a few interspersed throughout to ensure a safe, enjoyable trip to school. If the route crosses major roads, adults must help the students cross safely.
5. Spread the word. Once a date is chosen, publicize the Bike Bus widely. Students, families, and teachers must be aware. Informing the community is also necessary. Encourage residents along the route to cheer for the students as they pedal by.
6. Refine and repeat. Some schools offer weekly Bike Buses. Some offer it once a year. Focus on the first Bike Bus and tweak the approach based on experience. Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day (October 9, 2024) and Earth Day (April 22, 2025) are popular dates for Bike Buses.
BSQ Mini-Grant Program Summary
Through the BikeSafetyQuiz Mini-Grant program (funded by IDOT), Ride Illinois reimburses Illinois schools $2 for each student who completes a quiz.
During the 2023-2024 school year more than 65,000 students completed a quiz resulting in more than $130,000 distributed to schools throughout the state! This grant will be offered again during the 2024-2025 school year. More info about the Mini-Grant program is available at rideillinois.org/safety/bsqgrants
Bike & Walk Education In Schools
Ride Illinois continues advocating for the development of safe biking and walking curricula for use in Illinois schools. Recent discussions with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) resulted in a list of existing resources that was shared with schools. The resource is useful, but insufficient! Safe biking and walking education in Illinois schools is needed to help students develop healthy, life-long habits.
Ride Illinois Safely Program
The Ride Illinois Safely program offers education courses and resources to adults and children across Illinois. Ride Illinois exclusively with League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) to fulfill many course requests. Info about the program and course offerings are available at rideillinois.org/safety/education
Elizabeth Adamczyk will be joining Ride Illinois as an Organizational Coach. She will conduct League Cycling Instructor (LCI) seminars in Illinois which will lead to more bike education classes being offered. Interested in teaching bike safety to adults and children? Contact dave@rideillinois.org with questions and to learn more about becoming an LCI.
Annual Member Meeting
Many thanks to those who attended the Ride Illinois Annual Member Meeting in April. During the meeting, an update on the Strategic Plan was provided. Also, members in attendance elected four new directors to the Ride Illinois Board – certainly the strongest, most talented board in the organization’s history!
The presentation and a recording of the meeting are available at rideillinois.org/events/member-meeting
Welcome New Board Members
Let’s Ride, Illinois
Let’s Ride, Illinois is an annual event that includes fun, casual rides in communities of all sizes. Affiliated rides are typically hosted by bike shops, bike clubs, trail organizations, Regional Action Team volunteers, bicycle advisory commissions, libraries, community organizations, elected officials, and individuals.
2024 Let’s Ride, Illinois takes place between Friday, September 6 and Sunday, September 22. Want to promote the many benefits of biking for recreation and transportation? Plan a ride in your community any time of year. Useful resources are available at rideillinois.org/events/2024-lets-ride-illinois/
Grand Illinois Bike Tour
The Grand Illinois Bike Tour (GIBT) takes place in different parts of the state each year. Proceeds from this fundraiser support Ride Illinois’ ongoing advocacy, awareness, and education efforts.
2024 GIBT took place in central Illinois. The first stop was Springfield – the capital city and home to many historical sites and an extensive paved trail system. The next overnight was Forsyth before traveling on to Champaign. The event concluded with a ride on rural roads leading back to Maroa. In 2024, two three-day options were offered and were well received.
2025 GIBT will take place June 8-13, 2025. The event will start and stop in Rochelle, with overnights in Ottawa, DeKalb, and Rockford. Registration opens November 1.
2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit
The theme for the 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit is: Creating Connected, Livable, Thriving Communities This important event will take place May 7-8 in Springfield. Professionals, advocates, and individuals from communities of all sizes are encouraged to attend to learn, collaborate, and identify solutions.
MAY 7-8, 2025
Illinois Bike & Walk Summit
Ride Illinois is collaborating with the several key partners to develop a meaningful 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit. Registration will open in January.
Visit rideillinois.org/events/2025-illinois-bike-walksummit for additional information. Save the date!
Olney
Linda Brown
Lake Barrington Kaci Crowley
Ride Illinois is making Illinois better through biking!
Lake in the Hills
James Hutson Springfield Steven Simpson-Black
SPRINGFIELD
Support Ride Illinois and Our Mission
Thanks for your interest in Ride Illinois and our mission to make Illinois better through biking! Visit rideillinois.org/join-support to learn about the many ways to support nonprofit bike advocacy in Illinois.
Membership
Member contributions fund our important advocacy, education, and awareness work. You’re encouraged to share an invitation to support bicycle advocacy in Illinois with your personal and professional networks.
Scan code to join today!
Annual memberships begin at $10. The discount code UPSHIFT2024 saves $5 off any membership level.
Share the Road License Plates
Advocate for bicyclist safety when you drive! The Share the Road license plates deliver a key message and raise money for Ride Illinois’ education programs.
Specialty plates can be purchased when renewing registration or registering a new vehicle. The Share the Road plates will look great on your vehicle! More info at rideillinois.org/share-the-road-license-plates.
Legacy Giving Program
Ensure that important bike advocacy, education, and awareness efforts continue for many years by including Ride Illinois in your will or living trust. Legacy Society members make a lasting financial commitment to make Illinois better through biking!
Visit rideillinois.org/legacy-giving to learn more or contact dave@rideillinois.org to inform us of your intent to include Ride Illinois in your planned giving.
Generous Corporate Members
Contributions from businesses and corporations allow Ride Illinois to expand existing programs and develop additional programs and resources. Annual Corporate memberships begin at $125. Know of a business that has values in line with Ride Illinois? E-mail dave@rideillinois.org to share suggestions.
Learn more about our generous, engaged Corporate Members at rideillinois.org/corporate-members.
Keep in Touch
You’re encouraged to contact Ride Illinois and connect with us on social media. Options include:
• E-mail: info@rideillinois.org
• Phone: (630) 216-9282
• Website: rideillinois.org
• Facebook: facebook.com/rideillinois
• Instagram: @rideillinois
• Twitter/X: @rideillinois
• LinkedIn: ride-illinois
• YouTube: youtube.com/@rideillinois
Front cover: photos by Dave Simmons, except bottom center photo by Larry Mysz
Page 2: photos by Dave Simmons
Page 3: left photo by Marie Ullrich, other photos by Dave Simmons
Page 4: top left photos by Kevin McQuillan, bottom left photos by Dave Simmons
Page 5: top left photos by Gina Kenny, bottom left photo by Larry Mysz, bottom right photo by Sharon Kaminecki
Page 6: left photos from Bill Chalberg and I Bike Rockford, right photos by Meta Mickens-Baker and Cynthia Hoyle
Generous Corporate Members
Photo Credits
Please join Ride Illinois or renew your membership! Visit rideillinois.org/join-support or scan the code to join or renew
MAY 7-8, 2025
The 2025 Illinois Bike & Walk Summit will take place May 7-8 at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre. The Summit is the state’s most important conference related to biking and walking. Professionals, advocates, and individuals from communities of all sizes are invited to attend the Summit to learn, collaborate, and identify creative solutions to everyday issues.
The Summit’s theme is: Creating Connected, Livable, Thriving Communities. Those interested in making it easier and safer to move about their community on foot and on bike are strongly encouraged to attend. Learn more at rideillinois.org/events/2025-illinois-bike-walk-summit.
