Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Simmons.
Dave, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove (FCEG) was formed in 2012 when some like-minded residents of Elk Grove Village met to discuss ways to encourage others to bike more for recreation and transportation. FCEG’s mission is “to promote, support, and improve cycling in Elk Grove”. Since FCEG was established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2013, we’ve had a positive impact in the community and have expanded our reach through cycling.
FCEG helped to develop EGV’s Bike Plan, which was adopted in 2015. Since 2012, we’ve also partnered with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Police to schedule 0ver Busse Woods Bike Pit Stops during which we’ve passed out over 650 free bike helmets, inflated countless tires, passed out hundreds of cups of free lemonade, and had hundreds of conversations with those that enjoy spending time at Busse Woods, FCEG also offers free bike valets at EGV events.
We have coordinated Bike with the Mayor community bike rides since 2012, dozens of group rides to fun and interesting destinations, participated in parades in EGV and Schaumburg to share our enjoyment of cycling, and have shared the message of safe cycling at many other Park District and Village events. We’re most proud of the Busse Woods Night Ride, which is a fundraiser for FCEG and the Friends of the Forest Preserve.
This year’s event, which takes place on August 25th is the 4th annual event. Last year, over 220 people participated in this event that includes the bike ride at Busse Woods after dark (which is so much fun!), music, food, beer, s’mores, and bonfires. The Busse Woods Night Ride is the unique bike ride in Chicagoland!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course not! The biggest struggle that we face is those that don’t believe that cyclists should be riding on the road. While that group is very much the minority, they can be quite vocal and downright nasty, especially on social media. FCEG highly recommends that cyclists follow the Rules of the Road when biking.
That means stopping at stop signs and red lights, using hand signals, and biking in the same direction of traffic. We also ask the cyclists ride in the right third of the lane, which some motorists see as an inconvenience because they need to change lanes in order to safely pass. The reality is that cyclists that ride the way they drive are safer than those that break traffic laws.
We’ve had some struggles within the group also, but those have only made our Board and organization stronger. Many organizations have internal strife. We didn’t let this tear us apart. Instead, we chose to learn from the experience.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove – what should we know?
We’re known in Elk Grove Village and the northwest suburbs as a bike advocacy organization. There are a number of bike clubs in the suburbs, but what makes the Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove different is that our top priority is as an advocacy organization.
Sure, we offer group rides, but we also focus on removing barriers to make it easier and safer for adults and children to bike more often. We spend a lot of time talking with other cyclists, businesses, and Village officials about the good and the bad about cycling for recreation and transportation in the suburbs.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
FCEG is fortunate to work with other like-minded organizations who have paved the way, such as the League of American Bicyclists, Ride Illinois, and the Active Transportation Alliance. We’re also fortunate to have a strong supporter in the local government, Trustee Patton Feichter, who make sure FCEG has a seat at the table and is kept in the loop on bike-related events and decisions.
Pricing:
- Annual membership – starts at $10
- Annual sponsorship – starts at $100
Contact Info:
- Address: 815 Leicester Rd #314 Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
- Website: http://www.egvbikes.org/
- Phone: 847-254-0873
- Email: egvbikes@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fceg_bikes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FCEG2011/
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