The League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community program provides a roadmap, hands-on assistance and recognition for communities that are actively working to become more bike-friendly. Historically, enforcement was a key pillar in the Bicycle Friendly Community program and has focused on the laws that govern people driving and biking, as well as how law enforcement works to implement those laws.

On October 5th, the League of American Bicyclists announced that enforcement has been permanently removed as one of the six pillars in their Bicycle Friendly Community program. After discussing this change with staff and board members, partners, and concerned citizens, Ride Illinois is offering our full support to the League of American Bicyclists for this action.

Ride Illinois believes that Black and Latinx people in Illinois also deserve to benefit from riding a bike for both recreation and transportation. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for many Black and Latinx people, in part due to unfair police practices. Ride Illinois commends the League of American Bicyclists for their decision to remove enforcement as one of the pillars of the Bicycle Friendly Community program. This decision enhances the Bicycle Friendly Community program by ensuring that a community is not rewarded for unfair police practices.

Ride Illinois will continue to collaborate with community leaders, elected officials, local bike shops, bike clubs, and others in Illinois to increase education and awareness on the laws that protect cyclists. Working with communities to make sure officers are familiar with relevant laws is necessary to make biking better in Illinois. It is only when laws are enforced properly, justly, and equitably, that communities and their residents can prosper. Learn more about our work related to proper enforcement of traffic laws in our white paper entitled Law Enforcement and Cyclist Safety.

The League of American Bicyclists made this change to their Bicycle Friendly Community program after listening to community members, partners, and affiliated organizations – including Ride Illinois. As an organization, Ride Illinois is committed to listening, reflecting, and growing. Share your feedback, suggestions, and questions by emailing us at info@rideillinois.org.

To download a PDF of Ride Illinois’ statement, please click here.

For a list of resources and FAQ’s compiled by the League of American Bicyclist, please click here.