We're pleased to share this update on recent activity related to priority, state-level legislation. This article on the News page of the new Ride Illinois website 😱 recaps Bike & Trail Lobby Day in Springfield and outlines likely next steps for priority bills. www.rideillinois.org/news/springf...

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On Saturday, Ride Illinois members chose three accomplished individuals to fill open seats on the organization’s Board of Directors 🤩 Ride Illinois is fortunate that Shawn Gossman, Charles Kay, and Valerie Kramer are now serving the nonprofit organization AND Illinois residents in this role 😊

A bicycle or e-bike is perfect for those short trips! Give Mother Earth a break and commit to your bicycle or e-bike for everyday trips – starting today! 🧠💪 You’ll feel good physically and mentally 👋🏻👋🏽👋🏿 You’ll interact with neighbors 🌷🦆☀️ You’ll enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells along the way

Our swanky new website includes several enhancements that we think you’ll appreciate. 👉 Check it out and send along feedback and suggestions for further improvements. Thanks! www.rideillinois.org

Spreading the word about a Smart Cycling class taking place THIS SATURDAY at UIC from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Worried about riding a bike in traffic? Unsure how to teach your children safe cycling habits? The Smart Cycling program is your answer! Registration fee is $25. bikeleague.org/class-regist...

Gas prices are soaring, but people interested in biking don't know where to start. What type of bike do I get for kids? Cargo? Commuting? Today, we're launching a site for just that - Find The Right Bike! In just four questions, we'll tell you the bike you need and how much money it'll save you 🧵

Many of the advocates who participated in 2026 Bike & Trail Lobby Day in Springfield. Thanks to all who advocated for sensible micromobility legislation (SB3336), stopping Super Speeders (HB4948), and investing in Illinois trails 👏🏿👏🏽👏🏻

A very short-sighted, nonsensical ordinance that conflates e-bikes and e-motos. A great example of why state-level policy that nullifies municipal ordinances is needed. While not perfect, SB3336 is a major step in the right direction

people get hella mad when you say adult drivers should be more responsible than children on our streets.

We’re asking for help from Illinois residents to establish sensible micromobility regulations in Illinois via legislation. Illinois residents are encouraged to send an email to their State Senator asking them to support SB3336 when it is voted on by the full Senate. ujoin.co/campaigns/44...

This is a big step towards sensible, consistent rules in all Illinois communities related to micromobility. Ride Illinois is pleased to support SB3336 🙌

Quality bike lanes can magically create new cyclists out of thin air. "The installation of protected and buffered bicycle lanes was consistently and significantly associated with increased bicycle commuting." doi.org/10.1177/0361...

Extreme speeding in Illinois means going 26 mph or more above the speed limit. Drivers who regularly hit those speeds are 5 times as likely to be involved in a fatal crash. HB4948 aims to establish the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program to slow down Super Speeders. www.wcia.com/capitol-conn...

The Illinois delegation at the 2026 National Bike Summit 🙌

Just sayin'...

On March 25, a delegation of Illinois residents led by @rideillinois.bsky.social will be in Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress to advocate for bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users (VRUs). Action Alert ujoin.co/campaigns/43...

E-biking shouldn't require a driver's license. "E-bikes don’t pose greater risks than conventional bicycles. On average, e-bike crashes are equally as likely and severe as conventional bike crashes. And research from Denmark even shows e-bike riders are more likely to follow traffic laws."

I’ve had it with all the gatekeeping. No one‘s gonna tell me what I can call a bicycle.

As one of the orgs that signed this letter, @rideillinois.bsky.social is helping to amplify the message.

There's a lot of talk about making biking safe for kids, but don't forget about seniors. New study: "Older bicyclists face substantially higher severe injury risks than younger bicyclists." doi.org/10.1016/j.aa...

👀 👀 👀 “The mayor has asked Transport for London to undertake detailed analysis of the safety risks posed by large SUVs and their wider impact on London’s roads. This could then inform any future policy proposals in London or recommendations to government or the sector.”

“Somehow, and I'm doing my sarcastic voice, somehow, 49 other states can manage to get by and are not being bankrupted by bicyclists or other vulnerable road users who are suing them left and right”

Relevant in 2003 and 23 years later!

When I was learning to drive, my Dad would constantly remind me, "Speed magnifies mistakes." This should be the mantra of road designers as well.

Lots of truth to this comment from @davidzipper.bsky.social 🤔

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The 7-11-77 system is a great way to figure out if infrastructure is truly safe

We’re excited to be a presenter at the 2026 Southern Illinois Outdoor Summit at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center on March 27! Our presentation will focus on the importance of advocacy, including tips to engage in advocacy efforts at the local and state level 💪💪💪 ton.siu.edu/community-ev...

Giddy up!

Chicago, you are beautiful but I don’t understand why you waste downtown real estate on drive thrus

As the Illinois primary election draws near, consult our Legislative Scorecard and the interactive maps, to learn about incumbents and how they voted on bike-related legislation 👍👎 rideillinois.org/advocacy/leg...

Learn about a 6,800-mile coast-to-coast relay on the American Discovery Trail (ADT) in celebration of America's 250th anniversary. This 6,800-mile relay will cross the Golden Gate Bridge on the 4th of July and end on Thanksgiving at the Atlantic Ocean. discoverytrail.org/america-250-...

terrorizers in training.

Shocking 🙄

Related to our goal of transparency and trust, we are pleased to share our FY2025 Annual Report. You’re invited to peruse the Annual Report to: ✅ Learn about the organization’s finances ✅ Recap an impactful year ✅ Review our list of members and donors rideillinois.org/newsletters/

OMG this is awesome beyond belief

What can people in a largely car-dependent country do as they age out of driving responsibly? Instead of fighting bike lanes, we should be investing in micromobility lanes so there is a safe place for e-bikes and e-trikes. lloydalter.substack.com/p/we-may-soo...

Design your streets for the traffic you want!

Our I Can Bike There campaign aims to educate the public and encourage them to use their bikes for everyday trips and explore new routes, while celebrating those who already use their bicycle as a practical, sustainable mode of transportation 👏🏻 👏🏽 👏🏿 rideillinois.org/safety/icanb...

Ride Illinois is pleased to partner with the @bikeleague.org to bring a League Cycling Advocate (LCA) Workshop to Illinois this September. The Workshop will take place at the Illinois Medical District in Chicago. Registration will open soon, so stay tuned! bikeleague.org/change-start...

Researchers from Monash University in Australia have found that a cyclist needs 1.5 meters of cycle path to ride comfortably. This matches the clearance profile recommended by CROW for cycle paths with curbs higher than 5 centimeters. Read the full paper here: buff.ly/FkIix6L

Proceed cautiously as you encounter a car wash on a bike or on foot! Do not…We repeat - DO NOT get in the way of drivers waiting to clean their grimy cars and trucks 😱 #carwashnightmare

Sharing some key points related to micromobility from a presentation that @rideillinois.bsky.social has delivered several times during the past 6 months 🚲🛴 Regardless of your mode of travel, please be alert, slow down, and be mindful of the human beings you encounter along the way 🐢🐌

"Our streets are choosing to exclude children"

Research shows that biking is very, very healthy for people 65+. Findings after reviewing 28 prior studies: "Cycling in later life links to improved mobility [and] balance." "Older cyclists often report psychosocial health, life satisfaction, and well-being improvements." doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...

Thanks to Sharon from @chi.streetsblog.org for attending and writing an article about last week’s discussion with Carter Lavin! Carter shared an overview of his book (If You Want to Win, You’ve Got to Fight) and fielded questions. A recording of the discussion is available on our YouTube channel.

New research finds negligible benefit from "minimum passing distance" laws requiring drivers to give cyclists space when overtaking them. Protected bike lanes are far more effective. doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...

Red carpet for bike lane blockers #cyclinglife #urbanbike #blockingthebikelane #whydonttheyrideinthebikelane #justanotherplacetopark www.facebook.com/share/p/14ah...

Ride Illinois was honored to speak at yesterday’s press conference - convened by @ilsecofstate.bsky.social - on the topic of micromobility. We’re pleased to be a partner in crafting legislation centered on that worthwhile objective. www.ilsos.gov/news/2026/ja...