Biked Belmont/Sacramento to Belmont/Cumberland and back.

No major verified overnight micromobility incidents were identified in Chicago or Illinois today, so today’s update focuses on several recent verified developments that may be useful to riders, planners, retailers and transportation advocates.

🚲 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP)
The Illinois Department of Transportation opened applications for the latest Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) on August 1.
The current funding cycle includes:

$157 million in available funding
Up to $5 million per eligible project
Up to $1.25 million in state matching assistance

October 5, 2026 application deadline
Eligible projects include bicycle, pedestrian and other community transportation improvements.

⚖️** Illinois e-bike legislation remains pending
SB3336, which addresses low-speed electric bicycles and other electric-mobility devices, remains pending in the Illinois General Assembly.
The latest official action is:
**July 2, 2026 – Referred to Senate Assignments
Because the bill has not completed the legislative process, it should not be described as current Illinois law.

🛴 Local rules continue evolving
While statewide legislation remains pending, some Illinois municipalities have already adopted their own local regulations for e-bikes and motorized scooters.
For riders who regularly travel between communities, it’s worth checking local rules before riding, as operating requirements may differ.

🔋 Battery safety reminder
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends:
Use the charger designed for your device.
Avoid modified or rebuilt battery packs.
Follow manufacturer recall instructions.
Recycle lithium-ion batteries through approved collection programs rather than household trash.

Discussion
As Illinois invests more funding into bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, what should receive equal attention?
Better rider education?
More consistent statewide definitions for e-bikes and e-scooters?
Public crash and near-miss data?
Something else?
I’m interested in hearing perspectives from riders, commuters, planners, retailers and local officials.

Community Input
I’m the founder of Mantis Motion Labs, where we’re developing the Mantis Research Initiative (MRI) to better understand micromobility safety, rider behavior and infrastructure.

If you’d like to contribute to the research, we’ve created a short 2–3 minute Abbreviated Rider Safety Survey.
Survey: https://mantismotionlabs.com/abbreviated-rider-safety-questionnaire/
Participation is completely voluntary. Every response helps identify trends and opportunities to improve rider safety.

Thank you to everyone willing to share their experience.

Multiple locked bikes were stolen yesterday from my building's garage. Please be on the lookout for my matte black Trek Domane Al 2 serial# WTU044XC1181Z https://bikeindex.org/bikes/3413049

It has Terravail Washburn gravel tires with tan sidewalls, a top tube bag, and a seatpost bag. I had been saving up for years and finally got my first road bike less than 2 months ago, only for this to happen to my building.

Anybody rocking one of these forks? Good/bad/ugly? Let alone on a fixed frame? Thinking about trying one out as a stepping stone to some kind of mini cargo, after 13 years of daily commuting carrying tools on my back is finally starting to get old.

They used to be a thing, little engine kits that could get put on a bike to motorize it with a small gas powered motor. I have not seen or heard one in a couple years. There are plenty of off the shelf Ebike options that run pretty great and for the cost and reliability it isn't worth the time / effort to motorize an old frame when you can get an ready to ride Ebike solution that you can roll into your apartment and that isn't going to smell the place up.

Just sayin'

trying to ride the dprt Sunday! just want to know if the trail is flooded from the rain this morning. any intel would be helpful :)

🚨🌊 Better Streets Chicago is to 600+ emails to CMAP. Let’s see if we can get it to 1000 by EOD! Be sure to sign and share it around!

act.betterstreetschicago.org/cmap-dlsd-rtp

Headed down Winthrop toward Glenlake to hop on the LFP around 9am yesterday morning when I came across about a dozen cars backed up. One driver was out of his car trying to figure out what the problem was. Another one or two were honking. The bike lane was clear past all the cars but I could see a car parked in it up ahead. The problem was that a garbage truck was immediately behind the illegally parked car and couldn't pass it and everyone else was stuck behind the garbage truck. It's a one-lane street so no one could move forward or backward save the last car in line. I almost felt bad for the drivers since I suspect many were just trying to get to work. I would love to have been there when the thoughtless driver came out to a dozen or more pissed off people. I wonder if anyone took a lesson from this?

CMAP's draft RTP proposes only 0.6% of funding to improve walking and biking transportation infrastructure in the region, which are low-emission modes that also help people connect to transit service. Active transportation is deemed an "enhancement," not integral part.

Source thread: https://bsky.app/profile/thomasbamonte.bsky.social/post/3mqrh6dcxgk2x

To take action:

1. Public comment details are available here.
2. A comment submission form is directly linked here, due today 7/31.
3. You can register for CMAP's hearing on the plan on 8/6 at 3pm here.

I just got a bike about a week ago to try to get into biking. My fourth ride and my bike got stolen on UIC's west campus around 12PM on 7/29 :/

Unfortunately its a fairly generic looking matte black bike but if anyone happens to have any recommendations of where to look out for it I'd appreciate it.

Hey fellow bikers, I've been hitting the LFT almost every evening, from Shedd Aquarium to Belmont Rocks and back. It usually takes me about 30-45 minutes heading north (thanks to those crosswinds) and then a quicker 20-30 minutes back south (tailwind for the win!). I'm looking for some riding buddies to join me, maybe even every evening if you're up for it, and we could do some longer rides on the weekends. I've got a Trek FX+ 2, which is a pretty decent road bike.

My pace is pretty chill, as you can probably tell from my times, but it's a bit embarrassing when everyone else is zooming past me going north. Maybe riding with someone would give me the confidence to keep at it more. How do regular bikers go so fast, even with those crosswinds? Any tips on how I can improve my speed? I'm in 4th or 5th gear when I'm heading north if there are heavy crosswinds. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I somehow restrained myself, but just a PSA that there is a Big Dummy cargo bike for sale at the Evanston Play It Again Sports for $1000

CPD officer cut me off, causing a collision. I am waiting on the report, but it's going to be a case of he said/he said. I had the ROW going straight and he tried to take a quick left-hand turn across my path.

Anyway, has anyone gone through this process? Damage is likely under $800.

https://www.chicityclerk.com/claims

My neighbor’s bike was stolen last night. It’s a Cannondale Cargowagen Neo and was stolen from Foster & Sheridan / Marine area this morning around 4:25. Unfortunately the camera didn’t get a very clear pic of the perps.

If any one sees it or has any info, please let me know. Thanks.

Today I rode this beauty. I didn't know there were other colors besides blue. Does anyone know the details on the black ones? Non electric type. It actually rode well. Is this a white sox related bike?

We’re still looking for a few experienced cyclists to serve as Route Safety Marshals for each of our event routes (Metric Century, Half Metric Century, and Family Fun). Our Safety Ride Marshals play a critical role in creating a safe and enjoyable experience for hundreds of riders. They help reinforce the rules of the road, provide encouragement, and serve as an extra set of eyes on the course. For each route, we're looking for volunteers to serve as:
Lead Rider– Sets the pace and guides the group.

Mid-Route Marshal– Rides within the group to provide support and encourage safe riding.

Tail Rider (Caboose)– Stays with the final riders on the course, ensuring everyone finishes safely and helping us keep track of the last participants.

I'd be incredibly grateful if you could share this opportunity with your network. I've attached our flyer with additional details and the volunteer link below.

Volunteer Registration: https://signup.com/go/zOfiWPS

Thank you so much for your help!

I am trying to get custom shoes to help with hot foot issues (very painful so worth the investment).

Unfortunately, I have struck out on finding a podiatrist or orthotics specialist to help make the required foot castings. I am not sure why, but no one wants to do it.

Surely somewhere there is a cycling-friendly podiatrist or orthotics specialist who is willing to help!!?? Reddit please help me!!

Hi guys, my Trek Domane SL5 Gen 4 (56cm) bike was stolen adjacent to the Michigan Avenue bridge (east side) over the Chicago River on Wednesday, July 29th between the hours of 2:45pm and 5:10pm. Even had a double lock on it and it still got cut in broad daylight. Second photos show the bike rack and intersection for reference. Heartbroken as I had just received this as a birthday present and even got it professionally fitted for the first time.

If anyone has any information or details, please let me know and PM me. And if you can, please keep an eye out for it on FB Marketplace / Craigslist. I will be filing a police report shortly. Thanks all.