2026 Let’s Ride, Illinois!
2026 Let’s Ride, Illinois will take place from September 4-20, so mark your calendars! This community-focused event is a celebration of the joy, freedom, and sense of community that riding a bicycle brings to people of all ages and abilities. All are welcome to plan a ride or participate!
This fun, casual event features “slow roll” community bike rides (10 miles or less) that are free and open to all. Whether you’re in Rockford, Cairo, or anywhere in between, join your neighbors for a relaxed ride and a fresh look at your community from the comfort of your bicycle.
Find a Ride
The map below shows the locations of the casual, community bike rides that have been scheduled for 2026. Click an icon to learn more about a specific ride, including contact information for the ride leader.
Register a Ride
Want to offer a ride to your community? Help us showcase the many benefits of biking by hosting a local Let’s Ride event! Bike clubs, local bike shops, community organizations, municipalities, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to plan a fun, casual bike ride for their neighbors to participate in. The more rides and participants in this event, the greater the impact it will have. After all, a trip by bicycle is the best way to experience your community! Click the button below to register a ride associated with 2026 Let’s Ride, Illinois!
Tools for Organizers
Ride Illinois has developed some materials to assist with planning fun, meaningful, successful rides. Click the links below for additional information and resources.
Poster (Canva template – Please select “Use template for new design”)
Sample registration form (Contact us to request a copy)
Contact savannah@rideillinois.org with questions, comments, and suggestions related to planning your community ride. Thanks!
Planning Meetings
Ride hosts virtual meetings to answer questions from ride organizers, to share ideas, and to plan meaningful rides. Below is a recording of the Planning Drop-In session hosted prior to 2025 Let’s Ride, Illinois.
Have Some Fun!
Take your ride to the next level! Add a stop at a local coffee shop, organize a scavenger hunt, include music, visit a park, tour a landmark, or stop by the library. A few creative touches can turn a simple ride into a larger celebration. More adults and children moving about on bikes results in healthier, more livable, friendlier communities. Let’s ride, Illinois!
Statement of Risk
Please understand there are inherent risks associated with cycling, including bike breakdowns, crashes, unpredictable or dangerous traffic, challenging terrain and weather, and physical over-exertion. The list is not exhaustive and it is each rider’s personal responsibility to educate themselves, ride responsibly, and exercise sound judgment in order to minimize these risks. By participating in a ride associated with this event, you acknowledge that you are aware of these inherent risks and take full responsibility to ride safely and responsibly in order to enhance your own safety and the safety of others.
Support Ride Illinois
Ride Illinois is a nonprofit bike advocacy organization working to make Illinois better through biking. We are a member-supported organization. If you appreciate the work we do on behalf of bicyclists of all ages and abilities in Illinois, please become a member or make a donation. Thanks!