This September 21 to September 27, the League and our friends across the nation are celebrating Bike There (or to Work) Week!
Bike to Work, yes. Bike with friends, yes. Bike to an errand, yes. Bike to a Bicycle Friendly Business, yes. Bike around your neighborhood and back to your home, yes. Any bike, anywhere, it all counts.
The university is organizing the 13th annual Light the Night 2020 in collaboration with MTD on Thursday, September 24 from 4-7 pm. Light the Night is a bicycle safety campaign to giveaway and install bike lights for free. The distribution event will be held at three outside locations:
- Alma Mater Plaza at Wright Street and Green Street;
- Hallene Gateway, intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Illinois Street; and
- Campus Bike Center at 51 E. Gregory Drive, Champaign.
Safety of bicyclists on our campus community is of the highest importance, and as the days grow shorter in the fall and more people are bicycling at night, it is essential to promote safety measures. Illinois Law requires all bicycles to have lights at night, but it does not require that bikes be sold with light sets and many bicycle riders are not aware of the law. This event is meant to improve safety on campus and in the community by providing bike lights to students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Attendees are required to bring their bicycles for the free installation. Learn about volunteering for this event: Light the Night 2020 Volunteer sign-up. There is a safety plan in place to minimize the risks of the spread of COVID-19 to volunteers and participants. Volunteers will be provided with hand sanitizers, gloves, and face coverings.
Also, register your bicycle to be ahead of bike theft or an infraction that might occur with your bike. There is a one-time $10 bicycle registration fee to purchase a Shield sticker, which you can pick up from one of the several locations on campus and in the community. Learn more at https://go.illinois.edu/mybike.
There are several benefits of registering your bicycle in the University of Illinois’ new system. Learn more about these benefits here. Email us at bike@illinois.edu if you have questions.
