Bike to Work Week and Rides of Silence Come to Iowa May 11-15
Did you know Iowa ranks sixth in the nation (up from 21st in 2008) as a Bike Friendly State? Apparently, we moved up in the rankings before the Bicycle Safety Bill fizzled out in the Iowa House. Last I heard was this from Iowa Bicycle Coalition:
bicycles off the roads. There are more people asking your legislators
to ban bicycles than there are to support this bill.”
That is rather depressing if true. Which makes it all the more astonishing that a version of the bill did pass the Iowa Senate on a 30-17 vote. Thanks to Senators Joe Bolkcom, William Dotzler, and Matt McCoy for their leadership.
The purpose of Bike to work week is to encourage people to try bike commuting, increase cycling awareness and promote a healthy alternative form of transportation.
Governor Culver has also endorsed this event by declaring May as “Bike Month” (view proclamation).
On Friday May 15th you can reduce your carbon footprint and join 2,000+ commuters across the state for a clean and healthy commute to work on your bicycle!
Please register. Registration information is very important for lobbying local, state and federal politicians for more bicycle friendly communities. We are proving to cities, state officials and other organizations that there is public demand to make cycling better in Iowa!
View the Bike to work week statewide schedule here, brought to you by Iowa Bicycle Coalition
In addition, as part of Bike to Work Week, many communities are also holding a Ride of Silence. See list below. Find updates here at Bikeiowa.com.
RIDE OF SILENCE
DATE: May 20, 2009
TIME: 7:00 pm
WHERE: Hundreds of locations world wide
Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph). The Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.
In Iowa, Rides of Silence will be held in Ames, Atlantic, Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Des Moines, Iowa City, Marshalltown, Mason City, Sioux City, Bellevue, NE, and the Quad Cities. Click on the city links for ride details in your community.
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