The Green Bike Tour 2004 Hits Iowa
Iowa Policy Project
Solar Bike Tour to Wind Through Four States
HOWARD,
South Dakota – Renewable energy supporters will set out Monday on a
solar bicycle tour of rural communities in South Dakota, Minnesota,
Iowa and Wisconsin to demonstrate the potential for economic
development through investments in wind, solar and bio-based fuels.
The
six-day Green Bike Tour 2004 will begin at Howard and will proceed
through Saturday with elected officials, energy producers, energy
policy activists and media joining the ride at various stages, for a
variety of events and visits. Three bikes on the tour carry solar
panels that produce electricity to power uphill rides or to play music.
“This
tour illustrates that renewable energy production is growing in the
upper Midwest. Two years ago we rode bikes in Europe to see the success
of such development. We hope to change policy in Midwest states to
allow renewable energy to grow faster,” said David Osterberg, executive
director of the Iowa Policy Project, which is sponsoring the tour in
conjunction with the Minnesota-based League of Rural Voters.
“Global
climate change is real,” Osterberg continued. “We can confront
this environmental problem and help our economy in the Midwest. We are
going to see lots of exciting examples of how renewable energy
technology can keep money working in our own communities, and provide a
more secure energy future.”
Communities
selected for visits in the four states have some organized local
interests or an economic connection to renewable energy.
“Investments
in community-based renewable energy projects help strengthen local
economies, reduce our dependence on imported energy and help clean up
the environment at the same time,” said Niel Ritchie, executive
director of the League of Rural Voters. “The tour is an effort to
salute those rural communities in Midwestern states that are leading
the way, partnering with farmer-owned cooperatives, utilities and
educational institutions to make these projects a reality.”
“We need
the federal government to step up and commit to a new direction in
energy policy, away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy.”
The
public can keep track of the Green Bikers during the tour through
stories and photos that will be updated daily on a website, www.greenbike.org.
The tentative itinerary: (includes biking and driving)
Monday: Howard, S.D., to Luverne, Minn. (includes
Sioux Falls, S.D., and Tyler and Lake Benton, Minn.)
Tuesday: Okoboji, Iowa, to Emmetsburg, Iowa (includes Spirit Lake School, Linn Grove, Storm Lake)
Wednesday: Estherville, Iowa, to Joice, Iowa. (includes Fairmount, Minn.)
Thursday: Dodge Center, Minn., to Northfield, Minn.
Friday: Northfield to Mississippi River to La Crosse, Wis.
Saturday: La Crosse to Baraboo, Wis.
Note: The itinerary is likely to change. Updates will be provided on the web at http://www.greenbike.org.
Blog For Iowa 
Wonderful having this information available at our fingertips…Wish I lived closer & could be part of the fun…More people are finding out about this type of activity all the time…I just ran into a young middle aged man who drives a solar bike to his work & around town (Davenport)…It saves polluting the air & also on parking meters…There are countless advantages to this type of self transportation, and I am trying to find a way to do the solar bike to work & no longer have my car….Would be about a 2 hr bike ride though…Well, will have to find a different alternative….Thanks, Linda ….Great post…DEAN ON!
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