Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · 1d

The new book 'If You Want to Win, You’ve Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy' (by carterlavin.bsky.social) provides a roadmap for transforming passion into political power to win transit, bike, and street safety changes for your community

islandpress.org/books/if-you...

1 5

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · 2d

Our BikeSafetyQuiz Mini-Grant program reached a record number of students in Illinois schools in the 2024-2025 school year: 72,744. Over 344,000 quiz sessions have been completed through the BSQ Mini-Grant program since it launched in 2018 🤩

Learn more at rideillinois.org/safety/bsqgr...

2 3

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · 6d

Proud to announce the release of our 2025 Legislative Scorecard.

This comprehensive report highlights four years of advocacy (2021–2025), providing a clear record of how Illinois legislators voted on key bills that impact bicycle safety and infrastructure.

rideillinois.org/advocacy/leg...

1 3

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · 13d

We’re aware of the McLean County grant that was recently rescinded and are working with local advocates and IDOT to push back against that short-sighted decision.

1

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · 14d

Ride Illinois members received a printed copy of our fall newsletter, Upshift. A digital version is available for lapsed members, and future members, and the public. Dive in to learn more about Ride Illinois and our efforts to make Illinois better through biking!

rideillinois.org/newsletters/

3 8 80

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · 15d

Ride Illinois served as a panelist for the Summit on E-Bike/E-Scooter/E-Moto Ordinances hosted by the Northwest Municipal Conference. Ride Illinois has identified the need to clearly differentiate between legal classes of e-bikes and e-motos as a top priority.

www.dailyherald.com/20250922/new...

13 18 110

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · 19d

Sharing an article from @peopleforbikes.bsky.social that aligns with the concerns that Ride Illinois has been expressing this year regarding e-motos. Widely varying, overly-restrictive local ordinances are only adding to the problem and the public's confusion.

www.peopleforbikes.org/news/the-e-b...

The E-Bike Problem is an E-Moto Problem | PeopleForBikes

www.peopleforbikes.org

3 3 27

Reposted by Ride Illinois

Streetsblog Chicago @chi.streetsblog.org · 22d

Equiticity's recent "Claiming Our Space" event highlighted the importance of mobility justice issues, and how much the attendees value the nonprofit's crucial advocacy work.

@equiticity.bsky.social @peopleforbikes.bsky.social @rideillinois.bsky.social @transitcenter.bsky.social

Equiticity's "Claiming Our Space" event focused on BIPOC leadership, community power, and advancing "critical conversations and actions." - Streetsblog Chicago

Last week, the mobility justice nonprofit Equiticity hosted the event “Claiming Our Space: Powering an Equitable Future” with the intention of introducing participants to “the breadth of our vision, m...

chi.streetsblog.org

1 8

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · 22d

The new batch of Bike Law Wallet Cards includes the updated Definition of a Bicycle. Ride Illinois advocated for the updated definition with assistance from partner orgs, our members, and others. We appreciate all who voiced support for SB2285 👏🏿👏🏽👏🏻

Request form: rideillinois.org/safety/reque...

2 3 29

Reposted by Ride Illinois

Streetfilms/Clarence Eckerson Jr. @streetfilms.bsky.social · 23d

Cars 1.35 million!

Conrad Hackett @conradhackett.bsky.social · 24d

We often worry about the wrong things.

People killed annually by
Sharks 10
Elephants 100
Hippos 500
Snails 10,000
Dogs 25,000
Snakes 50,000
People 475,000
Mosquitoes 725,000
🧪

This graphic, created for Bill Gates' website, shows that diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are responsible for vastly more human deaths than other animals. While sharks inspire fear in many, they kill few people.

1 7 41

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · 24d

Sadly, a 76-year old man riding his bicycle was struck and killed by the driver of an SUV on Friday night in Milmine. This case is being investigated by Illinois State Police, the Piatt County Sheriff’s Department and the Piatt County Coroner’s Office.

www.wcia.com/news/piatt-c...

2 1 28

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · 29d

The bike bus programs globally are living proof that environmental awareness, public health, and community-building can all be achieved simultaneously. They represent a commitment to cultivating a more sustainable and healthier future for the children ❤️🤟

momentummag.com/how-to-start...

Start a Bike Bus in Your Community with these Expert Steps

It's back-to-school time again, and more kids than ever are riding their bicycles to school as part of a bike bus

momentummag.com

1 2 5

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · Sep 8

‘Twas a productive weekend as we collaborated with Kindle Point Inc. on a photo shoot to enhance BikeSafetyQuiz content and images 📸😎

Many thanks to Ride Riverside, Cycle Brookfield, and Maywood Rolling Wheels Club for sharing part of their weekend with us as the subject in hundreds of photos ☺️🤗

6

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · Sep 8

Yeah. This ordinance is one of the worst! We shared feedback with resident and Ride Illinois member. EP claims they will be revising the ordinance to remove the “can’t cross any roads with 35+mph speed limit on an e-bike” clause. A statewide solution is needed and we’re working on that.

1 3

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · Sep 4

Sharing info and an invitation to attend some meaningful events, hosted by our friends at @equiticity.bsky.social, on September 12-13. Ride Illinois will be attending the Friday evening session to hear from and learn from several impressive, accomplished individuals.

www.equiticity.org/second

1

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · Sep 2

The recording of our recent e-bike/e-moto webinar is available on Ride Illinois' YouTube channel (and also our Guidance for Municipalities page). Thanks to all who attended and added to the timely discussion. The beat goes on...

youtu.be/p3vgTzXLi9Q?...

2 7

Reposted by Ride Illinois

Active Transportation Alliance @atalliance.bsky.social · Aug 29

“Bikes will rule the road this Sunday on DuSable Lake Shore Drive.” — NBC Chicago 🚴‍♂️

Get ready for #BikeTheDrive!
Watch our Executive Director Amy Rynell share tips for the big day.
🔗 www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/b...

DuSable Lake Shore Drive to shut down to cars, open up to riders for famous 'Bike the Drive'

Bikers can ride as little or as much of the 30-mile loop as they want.

www.nbcchicago.com

1 1 7

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · Aug 27

Have you seen our billboards promoting BikeSafetyQuiz and encouraging motorists to drive safely near people on bicycles. The ads have been running on Clear Channel digital billboards in NE Illinois

👉👉 Everyone deserves to reach their destination safely, regardless of the mode they choose!

1 3

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · Aug 24

Saturday was a lovely day! @rideillinois attended two community events to chat about the importance of nonprofit bike advocacy and to share resources and swag.

There was LOTS of interest in the bike-friendly bills that - due to our advocacy efforts - were recently signed into law by the governor

3

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · Aug 20

On Friday, August 22 at noon, @rideillinois.bsky.social and @atalliance.bsky.social will host an online discussion on municipal e-bike and “e-moto” ordinances.

Register at bit.ly/e-motos to join Friday’s webinar.

1 2 9

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · Aug 15

Nice to see that 91% of respondents voted no. Perhaps the next survey will be about a 25mph speed limit for cars!

Reposted by Ride Illinois

The War on Cars @thewaroncars.bsky.social · Aug 13

"From 2010 to 2020... total road deaths rose 18% in the US but declined 22% in Canada. That finding is even more jarring when considering that Canada’s population grew faster during the decade." Via @davidzipper.bsky.social

The US-Canadian Road Safety Gap Is Getting Wider

www.bloomberg.com

4 22 97

Reposted by Ride Illinois

Laura G Mitchell @lauragmitchell.com · Aug 13

Electric cargo bikes are car replacers.

It’s so great to see how many families can get to soccer practice this way (enabled by Minneapolis’ protected bike infrastructure).

8 53 320

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · Aug 13

Sharing the latest article in our effort to distinguish between legal classes of e-bikes (class 1, 2, and 3) and e-motos – the working term for devices with greater than a 750 watt motor capable of going more than 20mph without pedaling.

www.axios.com/local/chicag...

Biking advocates push regulation of e-motos

Advocates warn that lack of regulation of throttle-driven "e‑motos" are penalizing some e-bike riders.

www.axios.com

1 3 10

Ride Illinois @rideillinois.bsky.social · Aug 6

SB2285 was signed into law as Public Act 104-0141. Trike riders now have the same legal protections as riders of two-wheel bicycles in Illinois!

Thanks to all who followed through on our Action Alerts and contacted their elected officials to support this bill.

ilga.gov/legislation/...

5 8