McLean County Wheelers

Dear Ride Illinois member or supporter, In this time, where social distancing is recommended and group gatherings are being discouraged, we want to encourage everyone to continue riding. However, we are recommending that you avoid group rides and ride solo until public health agencies determine that the COVID-19 virus is no longer a threat to your health. Schools, restaurants and even our state parks are closing their doors in an effort to try to keep the coronavirus pandemic from spreading. In this unprecedented time, we believe it is safest to abstain from group rides. Keep riding (solo) and keep washing your hands. Contact us at info@rideillinois.org with any questions.

Wheeler Beyond Normal October Rough Road Ride — I & M Canal — Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019

Easterseals 100 bicycle ride on Sept. 28

Celebrates our 100^th Anniversary at Easterseals

Events showcase the Easterseals Timber Pointe Outdoor Center, our camp on Lake Bloomington for kids of all abilities. Labor Day Sale and Early bird registration for these events expires noon, Friday, Sept. 6!

Labor Day Sale. Those registering for the ride before noon, Friday, Sept. 6 get $10 off registration. Registrations after noon, Friday, Sept. 6 and through the ride on Sat., Sept. 28 will be $50. Register online at: www.eastersealsci.com/cycle100

<ES 100 Flyer>

The Austin Ride of Silence shared Cyclist Video Evidence Model

The Ride of Silence honors fallen cyclists. Cyclist’s Video Evidence prevents collisions, hopefully ending the need for Rides of Silence.

The Austin, Texas Ride of Silence and www.CyclistVideoEvidence.com have created an innovative model that can be copied by all other Rides of Silence participating in the worldwide ride on Wednesday, May 15th 2019.

The inclusive mission of Cyclist Video Evidence is to increase the number of cyclists who feel safe and confident riding on the roads. They invite all cyclists – pedal powered, electric bikes, scooters and motorcyclists – to use our free Incident Management System to track, map, update and analyze all of their near miss incidents, search for repeat offenders, establish potential patterns of dangerous driver behavior, and generate near miss data to map dangerous locations – before collisions occur! Learn more..

Bloomington-Normal Ride of Silence is held on May 15, starting at 6:30P from the McLean County History Museum. More details at…

Illinois lawmakers are working on creating a harsher penalty for people who cause a serious injury to another person while texting and driving. Under the proposal, a driver who causes great bodily harm to another while distracted by using a phone or other electronic device would face a $1,000 fine and a year without a license. Currently, the penalty is $75, along with other punishments for dangerous driving.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Norine Hammond, R-Macomb, came after a constituent in her district that lost his leg in a crash where the other driver was texting while behind the wheel. State Rep. Mike Unes, R-East Peoria, said the stiffer penalties would discourage the dangerous behavior.  State Rep. Melissa Conyears-Ervin, D-Chicago, said the bill would disproportionately affect low-income people. Likewise, state Rep. Marcus Evans, a Chicago Democrat who grew up in a low-income family, said many families wouldn’t be able to absorb the cost of $1,000 or be able to pay it without having a license to get to work.

Others agreed that the cost was too high, but still endorsed the idea, saying $75 was too low to be a real deterrent for what has become a widespread habit. The bill now needs a vote on the House floor before it can be reported to the Senate. Learn more…

If you feel strongly about this proposed legislation, contact your state representative. MD/RB