Chicago Bike PAC Nears $100,000 Goal For Sept 10 EVENT, Citing Cyclist Deaths As Election Issue
Milwaukee Ave protected street design in Wicker Park near the 1800 block of N Leavitt St is a example of infrastructure protections for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, but still the exception across Chicago streets. (Photo: Chicago Bike PAC)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 8, 2026
Media Contact: Chris Ridgeway, Co-Chair, Chicago Bike PAC chris@bikepac.org
CHICAGO — Chicago Bike PAC, a grassroots political action committee working to elect pro-bike-safety candidates to Chicago City Council, will hold its "Campaign Trail Party" fundraiser Thursday, September 10, at Midwest Coast Brewing Company in West Town.
The event will feature elected members of the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety in City Council and is co-hosted by Chicago Family Biking, Bike Grid Now, and Better Streets Chicago Action Fund.
“In Chicago, our lack of planned, safe streets are a lack of political will. We are unable to forget Riley O’Neil, Lily Shambrook, and too many more preventable deaths and injuries across the last four years,” said Chris Ridgeway, co-chair of Chicago Bike PAC. “We intend to change our city.”
Riley O'Neil, 35, a Chicago Department of Transportation planner who had led the department's bike-parking, school-zone safety, and bus-priority projects, was struck and killed June 5 while riding in a painted, unprotected bike lane on South Halsted Street in the 11th Ward (Ald. Nicole Lee). O’Neil is one of at least six cyclists and e-scooter riders killed by drivers on Chicago streets so far in 2026, according to Streetsblog Chicago's fatality tracker, which has also recorded at least 18 pedestrian deaths this year. Lily Shambrook, 3, was killed in 2022. Both incidents involved blocked bike lanes and heavy trucks in the same lane as vulnerable road users.
“Driver education about the Dutch Reach or raised fines without enforcement are ineffective versus a true, planned safe bike network,” said Ridgeway. “Kids should be able to bike to school safely.”
The PAC's fundraising drive has a $100,000 goal ahead of Chicago's next municipal election, set for February 23, 2027, when all 50 City Council seats and the mayor's office will be on the ballot.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 8, the grassroots campaign had raised $74,844 with over 750 individual contributions, with a $10,000 matching-fund pool from sponsors including SRAM, Christopher Burke Engineering, Lime and Keating Law Offices set to double a portion of Thursday's gifts.
A full endorsement cycle is underway for sitting Alders or candidates to receive public endorsement and funding later this fall. Chicago Bike PAC and Better Streets Chicago Action Fund are collaborating on the process.
Thursday's event runs from 5:30 p.m. at Midwest Coast Brewing Company, 2137 W. Walnut St. Tickets and donations are available at givebutter.com/campaign-trail-party-2026.
About Chicago Bike PAC
Chicago Bike PAC is a grassroots, volunteer-run political action committee registered with the Illinois State Board of Elections (Committee ID #39617). It is co-chaired by Kevin Borgia and Chris Ridgeway.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
