Proper precautions can keep night bike rides safe
Riding safely at night with 250-300 bicyclists?
Seems unlikely, even highly counterintuitive, but two suburban August events own safety records demonstrating it can be done, each with a decade of experience to back that claim.
The Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove’s Busse Woods Night Ride, scheduled for Aug. 29, celebrates its 11th year of a bicycling “party in the park.” Crystal Lake’s Night Owl Bike Ride, which was held Aug. 8 as a Raue Center for the Arts fundraiser, just hosted 230 riders.
While one is all-trail and the other street-trail, they share several characteristics: established routes, experienced ride leaders, plenty of volunteers and basic biking precautions. Safety seems baked in.
According to Meredith Schaefer Flowers, Raue’s director of marketing and institutional advancement, turnout this year aligned with 265 riders last year and 250 in 2024.
The nonprofit organization revived the original Night Owl Rides hosted by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County from 2012-22. Crystal Lake resident Ron Eberle initiated the event with the city’s blessing and cooperation. That 2012 event attracted about 180 riders, but the event was known to have 200-300 riders annually, topping out at 365.
Safety is No. 1
As for safety, Eberle explained that local cyclists designed the original route keeping in mind “we know where we don’t belong.” He recalled just a single mishap out of roughly 2,500 participants over those years — a rider took a spill when her tire got stuck in a railroad crossing.
That record endures as part of the Night Owl Ride tradition.
“Safety is really our No. 1 concern,” Flowers said. As for casualties, no major issues have occurred, though Flowers admitted to doling out a couple Band-Aids and handling some bruised egos. “It’s always been promoted as a family-friendly ride, not a pub crawl, not a race,” she said.
“We work with the police to make sure the course is safe and well-monitored,” she continued. Officers are stationed at major intersections in Crystal Lake, while a couple of officers ride along with the group.
The route spans city bike lanes, side paths and Fox River Trail segments with 10-mile or 20-mile distances. Volunteer course marshals, visible with safety vests and glow sticks, direct bicyclists at turns that are potentially tricky to navigate, especially for those unfamiliar with Crystal Lake.
Aug. 29 Night Ride
The Busse Woods Night Ride boasts an equally impressive safety record. Dave Simmons, Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove president, noted only one injury with more than 2,000 riders in the past 10 years. Registration is limited to 300 — both riders and nonriders — with the event hitting that maximum the past several years.
From its inception, safety was front and center. Simmons said FCEG approached the Forest Preserves of Cook County four years running before obtaining permission for the event. The district insisted on several safety requirements: minimum riding age of 12, maximum of 300 participants, and manageable groups riding the trail.
To that end, “waves” of 40 riders pedal out at timed intervals, biking either 9 or 14 miles. A ride leader and two “sweeps” accompany each wave. Helmets, white headlights, and red taillights are required. Adults must accompany cyclists under age 17.
Roselle resident Peggy Gonzini biked her first night ride in 2025, venturing with a few cousins and girlfriends. She had never ridden in a large group before, mostly cruising the neighborhood with her husband and friends.
Her wave started at dusk and ended in darkness. Despite that, Gonzini said she felt very safe.
“They had it very organized,” she explained. “Volunteers who made sure the ride was safe; a group leader and several others toward the middle and back of the pack.”
“Riders stayed single file as they rode, or maybe two next to each other, and were strung out along the trail.” She would do it again, she said. “It was the coolest!”
Darryl DeMar, FCEG member for more than 10 years, listed several features that made him feel safe as a participant: safety instructions before the ride, ride leaders and sweeps, headlights, taillights and an overall slow pace.
“It’s not a tough ride by any means, with a bike-themed party afterwards,” he added. DeMar has served seven years on the organizing committee, four as event chair.
About 50 volunteers run the event, including those accompanying each wave. New volunteers receive online training a few days before.
“We do a pre-ride sweep of the trail the day of the event,” said DeMar, checking for any hazards or adjustments. Trail status is communicated to leaders and sweeps that evening.
An official calls each wave of bikers to gather at the trailhead where helmets and lights are checked. Simmons provides instructions and reminders of safety protocols and trail etiquette, acknowledging that many are inexperienced group riders.
Mike Zary, FCEG member since 2020, has pedaled the Busse Woods trails extensively as an avid biker. He first volunteered six years ago, starting as a sweep for a couple of years then a ride leader. Zary now serves as volunteer coordinator, checking in volunteers, distributing safety vests and ensuring their familiarity with the route app.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, participants enter Busse Woods, off East Higgins Road (Route 72) near Elk Grove Village and drive to the Chicago River Canoe and Kayak at Busse Reservoir Main Pool (formerly Busse Woods Boating Center). Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and close to vehicles at 8 p.m. Food, beverages and musical entertainment keep the atmosphere festive until 10:30 p.m.
• Join the ride. Contact Ralph Banasiak at alongfortheridemail@gmail.com.