Ride Illinois

06/06/2026

Sadly, a 35-year old man on a bicycle was killed by the driver of a semi truck in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. The bicyclist was traveling in the painted (not protected) bike lane and tried to avoid an opening car door which forced him into the path of the semi. We extend our condolences to the victims friends and family as they grieve for their loved one. An investigation is ongoing. Learn more about this tragedy at the link below 💔

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/35-year-old-man-struck-and-killed-while-biking-in-chicago-authorities-say/3944833/

Regardless of your mode of travel, please be alert, slow down, be vigilant, and be mindful of the other human beings you encounter along the way 🙏

06/04/2026

Time to make those weekend (and future) plans! The Illinois Bicycle Calendar has plenty of recommendations 😊😍🗓️

Our free online resource includes over 100 bike-related events all around Illinois, including:
✅ Fundraisers
✅ Community rides
✅ Tours
✅ Races
✅ Advocacy events
✅ Workshops
✅ Education courses
✅ Youth-focused events
✅ Festivals
✅ Volunteer events
✅ And more!

👉 Want to add a ride or event to the calendar? It’s so easy...and it’s FREE! Complete the brief form on the Illinois Bicycle Calendar page to share the details. Check out the calendar, spread the word, and add those events 👏🏿👏🏽👏🏻

🔗 https://www.rideillinois.org/events/calendar

06/04/2026

Key information pertaining to low-speed e-bikes (class 1, 2, and 3) included in the recently passed legislation was incorreect in this article in the Chicago Tribune. Ride Illinois chatted with the Trib reporter and the online article has been updated to align with the bill, which we appreciate.

The correct information pertaining to SB 3336 (passed as SB 3484) is as follows:

👉 The new law would require riders of e-motos and high-speed micromobility devices (capable of speeds greater than 28 mph) to obtain a driver’s license, title, registration and insurance, and bar them from sidewalks, bike lanes and bike paths.

👉 Riders of low-speed e-bikes (class 1, 2, and 3) are allowed to use bike lanes, but not sidewalks. The minimum age to ride a class 1 or 2 e-bike will be 15 and age 16 for class 3, which remains unchanged.

👉 The minimum age to ride a low-speed e-scooter will be 16, reduced from age 18.

👉 E-scooters, electric skateboards, and electric unicycles capable of exceeding 28 mph will also require a license, registration, and insurance. Such devices are not allowed on sidewalks, bike lanes, and bike paths.

More information about this legislation is available at https://www.rideillinois.org/news/sb3336-passes-to-governor

The recently completed Illinois General Assembly spring session ended with Democratic lawmakers passing bills targeting immigration enforcement, electric vehicles and voting rights, while failing to act on a proposed prescription drug…

06/04/2026

Advocacy makes a difference - and your support helps power that work across Illinois.

From organizing our Bike & Trail Lobby Day at the Capitol to working with legislators on policies that improve safety for people who bike, walk, and roll, Ride Illinois is advocating for safer, more connected communities statewide. We work year-round with local leaders, advocates, and partners to advance legislation, raise awareness, and ensure biking infrastructure and safety remain part of the conversation.

Your support helps make that possible. Whether you become a member, make a one-time gift, give monthly, or support us through DAFgiving, every contribution helps strengthen bicycle advocacy in Illinois.

Support our work for safer streets, more connected communities, and better biking statewide.

rideillinois.org/join-support

06/04/2026

We appreciate the Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin for the partnership that has forged over the past few years. Plus, it sure is fun to engage with youth at this annual event!

A huge thank you to Ride Illinois for leading the Bike Safety Rodeos at our event for the 3rd year in a row. Your skill courses, set up with cones, give riders a chance to practice stopping, weaving, and looking over their shoulder in a supportive environment, and your “Rules of the Road” stations help kids practice hand signals, navigating stop signs, and understanding right-of-way in a stress-free setting. We truly appreciate your continued partnership and your commitment to building confident, safe young riders.

06/02/2026

Ride Illinois is a statewide nonprofit working every day through advocacy, education, and awareness to make Illinois safer and more welcoming for people who bike, walk, and roll.

We’re deeply grateful for the community that believes in this work and helps make it possible. Whether you’ve been with us for years or are just getting to know us, your support truly matters.

There’s no one right way to give. You can become a member, make a one-time donation, give monthly, or explore our new easy DAF giving option through our donation portal - whatever works best for you! We couldn’t do this work without supporters like you.

We work every day for you and your community, and we’re thankful for every person who chooses to stand with us and our work.

Together, we can make Illinois better through biking - please consider giving a gift today: rideillinois.org/join-support

06/02/2026

Last Saturday’s community slow roll – hosted by Equiticity and Transport Chicago – did not disappoint! 🙌🏿🙌🏽🙌🏻

Ride Illinois was pleased to lend a hand in planning the event and serve as SAG while 75+ adults and children enjoyed an immersive ride in the North Lawndale neighborhood on the Westside of Chicago, exploring Equiticity’s Neighborhood Mobility Models within the deep contours of neighborhood assets 🚴🏿‍♂️🚴🏾‍♀️🚴🏻

👉 Equiticity’s Community Mobility Rituals (CMRs) have some elements in common which lend themselves to being normalized and ritualized. These elements include a schedule with rhythmic frequency, priority on socialization, focus on racialized healing, reduced barriers to participation, natural development of shared customs, active disruption of the status quo, and the hyperlocal collective ownership of “our” space

The slow pace of community rides foster conversation amongst friends, old and new. Community rides allow participants to immerse themselves in a neighborhood to learn about the history, the celebrations, and the challenges of the people who live and work there. As summer kicks off, we encourage you to participate in an upcoming community ride. No such rides in your community?! Well, perhaps you’re the spark needed to get them started 😉

06/01/2026

SB 3336 – a bill sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam, Representative Barbara Hernandez, Illinois Secretary of State – and championed by Ride Illinois – passed both the House and Senate. The bill is now headed to Governor Pritzker’s desk. We gratefully acknowledge the members of the General Assembly who voted in favor of this sensible legislation 🙌

* Note: Due to a procedural matter, SB 3484 was used to cast the final vote in the House

THE FACTS
▶️ Lack of clarity in the Illinois Vehicle Code resulted in a flurry of inconsistent, confusing, restrictive municipal ordinances
▶️ High-speed e-motos (aka Motor Driven Cycles) have sharply increased in popularity – especially with boys under age 16 – and have wreaked chaos in Illinois communities
▶️ Greedy manufacturers and retailers are preying on the public’s lack of knowledge to sell unsafe devices
▶️ E-bikes, e-scooters, and micromobility devices are popular as they offer an inexpensive, environmentally-friendly, enjoyable mode of travel for recreation, transportation, and everyday trips

SB 3336 integrates micromobility devices into state law, establishes age restrictions, and implements sensible regulations for the use of high-speed devices, like e-motos. This bill also allows the state, municipalities, and law enforcement to embrace new mobility modes while retaining a focus on public safety.

SB 3336 WILL
➡️ Maintain three classes of legal, low-speed e-bikes, consistent with 46 other states
➡️ Clearly distinguish between low-speed e-bikes and motor driven cycles (e-motos)
➡️ Establish consistent rules across Illinois for e-bikes, e-scooters, e-motos, and micromobility devices
➡️ Require license, registration, and insurance for e-motos and other high-speed devices
➡️ Rein in retailers who falsely advertise e-motos as e-bikes
➡️ Set a minimum age of 15 to use Class 1 and 2 low-speed e-bikes
➡️ Reduce the minimum age from 18 to 16 to use low-speed e-scooters
✅ Balance access to micromobility and public safety

Much appreciation to the Illinois residents who contacted their state elected officials via our action alerts this session 👏🏿👏🏽👏🏻

05/29/2026

We’re excited to share that our long time corporate member, Illinois Trail Shuttle, has renewed their membership for another year. Illinois Trail Shuttle offers a variety of transportation services to bicyclists and outdoor enthusiasts. They take the hassle out of travel logistics so you can better enjoy your ride. Join us in thanking Illinois Trail Shuttle for their continued support!

👉 Businesses and corporations that believe in Ride Illinois’ mission to make Illinois better through biking are invited to join as a Corporate Member. Learn more at rideillinois.org/corporate-membership. See less

05/28/2026

Blackhawk Hills Regional Council reminds us that Northwest Illinois is best experienced on its trails! We agree 100%

https://nwiltrails.org/