Advocacy
last updated: March 6, 2023
Introduction
The Elmhurst Bicycling Club, being a very large and very active bike club, has the gravitas to have successfully influenced government policy, state, county and village planning, as well as local governance on issues related to bicycling, hiking, walking and other healthy activities.
This page shows some of what we are involved with, some of what we have accomplished, and a brief introduction to those who lead us tirelessly in forging ahead while wearing the mantle of bicycling advocate.
Live Advocacy WeB Log (Blog)
Our Coordinators
Kim Messina - Advocacy Co-chair
Armaline Mirretti - Advocacy Co-chair
Bob Hoel - Advocate Emeritus
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Club Advocate Coordinator for many years.
Still contributing heavily on the advocacy scene.
Bob.Hoel@comcast.net
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Annual Initiatives
Bike-to-Work Week
Every Spring, in coordination with the Active Transportation Alliance and the DuPage County Trail Development, the Club has rallied at the Elmhurst and other city Metra train stations to encourage people to bike to their local Metra station rather than drive a car. "Goodie bags" are distributed to those demonstrating that they have biked in. The bag contents change every year, usually including maps and other bicycle related materials.
Bike-to-Work-Week volunteers.
Impaired Vision Stoker Rides
Members of Elmhurst Bicycle Club and the Chicago Area Tandem Society team up with WDSRA (Western DuPage Special Recreation Association), NEDSRA, and SEASPAR to provide tandem bicycle outings for visually impaired riders. At the start, they adjust the tandems and helmets for proper fit.
The routes vary for each ride and include the Illinois Prairie Path, the Great Western Trail, and the Morton Arboretum.
Impaired-vision stoker ride.
IL Prairie Path Cleanup Initiative
Thanks to the initiative of Betty Bond, Marge Ricke and Baltimore Ortega, the Elmhurst Bicycle Club has made a commitment to keep a section of the Illinois Prairie Path clean. The adopted 1.1 mile stretch runs from Monterey Avenue in Villa Park east to Pioneer Park in Elmhurst. Regular clean up projects will be scheduled as needed. Thanks to the members who participated in the first clean up on April 11, 2015, many of which are shown in the photo below.
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Adopt-a-Trail cleanup by EBC volunteers. |
Project Mobility
Project Mobility is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds specialized bicycles for Children and Wounded Warriors with physical disabilities.
Their professional staff works with families, rehabilitative professionals, and organizations to promote better health, independence, and most of all the freedom of mobility that comes from riding bicycles . Hal Honeyman heads the Organization and also owns The Bike Rack which is an EBC Sponsor.
EBC has supported Project Mobility for years, helping them fund the building of bikes for physically challenged children.
In 2016 we raised $6500 that was matched by Project Mobility and we were able to get bikes for six children. Read about that event and see photos in our annual summaries below.
Let's do this again!
EBC will match donations up to $1000.00.
100% of all money donated will go to buy a specially adapted bikes for children with disabilities. We will present those bikes to the children at an EBC meeting early in 2019.
You may donate by clicking the donate button below:
Donate to Project Mobility
What Can You Do?
- Attend meetings and events to show your support for bicycling.
- Watch for email list server messages for specific action information.
- Find your Legislators and their contact information.
- Contact your legislators about current cycling issues.
- Join groups that participate in advocacy activities.
EBC Donations by Year
- 2023
- 2022
- $500 Active Transportation Alliance
- $500 CAMBr
- $500 League of Illinois Bicyclists
- $500 Project Mobility
- $1,000 Ride Illinois
- $350 Various
- 2021
- $500 Active Transportation Alliance
- $500 CAMBr
- $515 Illinois Prarie Path
- $100 MSU Grand Fondo
- $500 Ride Illinois
- $265 Various
- 2020
- 2019
- $500 Active Transportation Alliance
- $500 CAMBr
- $1,196 Project Mobility
- $100 MSU Grand Fondo
- $500 Ride Illinois
- $860 Various
- 2018
- $10,800 Project Mobility
- $500 Active Transportation Alliance
- $500 CAMBr
- $500 Ride Illinois
- $100 MSU Grand Fondo
- $200 Various
- 2017
- $100 MSU Grand Fondo
- $100 MS Ride
- $450 various
- 2016
- 2015
- $6,500 Project Mobility
- $500 League of Illinois Bicyclists
- $250 League of American Bicyclists
- $500 Active Transportation Alliance
- $500 CAMBr
- $245 Various
- 2014
- $500 League of Illinois Bicyclists
- $250 League of American Bicyclists
- $500 Active Transportation Alliance
- $500 CAMBr
- 2013
- $500 League of American Bicyclists
- $500 Illinois Prairie Path
- $500 Active Transportation Alliance
- $500 CAMBr
- $170 Lekotek
- 2012
- $1,217 Lekotek
- $500 League of American Bicyclists
- $500 Illinois Prairie Path
- $500 CAMBr
- 2011
- 2010
- $1,800 Project Mobility
- $100 League of Illinois Bicyclists
- $100 Illinois Trails Conservancy
- $100 Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail
- 2009
- $2,500 League of Illinois Bicyclists
- $1,000 League of American Bicyclists
- $1,000 Active Transportation Alliance
- $1,000 CAMBr
- 2008
- $2,000 League of Illinois Bicyclists
- $1,000 League of American Bicyclists
- $1,000 Active Transportation Alliance
- $1,000 CAMBr