JULY 2014
National Bike Organization Challenges Iowa to Recruit 10,000 Bicyclists PeopleForBikes has challenged the Iowa Bicycle Coalition to recruit 10,000 bicyclists to join the PeopleForBikes movement. When the 10,000 bicyclists join PeopleForBikes, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition will receive a $10,000 donation. The challenge has until July 25 to collect the 10,000 bicycle supporters online,
when a presentation will be made during the PeopleForBikes day of RAGBRAI in Mason City. There is no cost to join PeopleForBikes. PeopleForBikes is a national movement making riding better for everyone. More than 800,000 supporters
Expanded Business Memberships In addition to the individual/household membership changes happening at the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, we have added separate Business Memberships. We now have three main Business Member levels, beginning with the general business level $100-249, then going to the partner memberships $250- $999, and ending with the premium memberships at $1,000+. Just like the individual/household memberships, each one will build upon the one before it. All business memberships will include link & name on website, social media shout outs for joining or renewing, a bicycles welcome here window decal, and sponsorship opportunities for coalition events. Any business that is not able to give the $100 dollars will be considered an additional donor and will get recognition on our website and social media. We are hoping to encourage a majority of businesses across the state to join our mission in order to make our voice louder. We are also hoping that the businesses that join adapt to make bicycling to and from work easier or at the least encourage their employees to bicycle more recreationally. We believe businesses will greatly help improve our bicycle friendly state ranking.
have joined so far. To join, simply complete the form at http://www.peoplefor bikes.org/page/s/ RAGBRAI14. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition urges everyone to share with their friends. “We know there are many more than 10,000 bicyclists that ride RAGBRAI each
year,” says Mark Wyatt, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. “This isn’t just about the people who don spandex and ride across the state. If you ride a bike, even just to the store or trail, you should be part of this list.” Sign the form at PeopleForBikes.org/RAGBR AI, ask a few friends to do the same, and help make
Inagural BACooN Ride Success Ride Donates over $24,000 to charities The inagural BACooN Ride kicked off on June 28 in Waukee on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Over 2,800 riders participated riding the 71 mile trail loop. The event raised over $75,000 distributed to the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Iowa Bacon Board, The Dream Team and other Iowa Charities. A highlight of the event was a check presentation ceremony on Friday at Centennial Park in Waukee. The Dream Team accepted a check for $8,000, the Raccoon River Valley Trail accepted a check for $5,000, and the city of
Waukee was on hand for checks of $1,000 to Waukee Parks and Recreation and Waukee Fire Department. The evening was rounded out by the antics of the Swing Crew. Despite predictions of bad weather, the sun came out over most of the day. A late afternoon thunderstorm soaked riders, but did not dampen spirits. The overall response to the ride was positive from both towns and riders. Planning for a second year event is already underway.
P&G Foundation donates $15,000 to Iowa’s Safe Routes to School Program. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s Safe Routes to School Program has survived despite a funding cut to the program. The MAP-21 transportation bill eliminated the program, but made activities eligible. The Coalition applied for a statewide Transportation Alternatives Program grant from the Iowa DOT. Different this year was a 25% match. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition was able to secure matching funds with the assistance of from the P&G Foundation. The Safe Routes to School program encourages more kids to walk or ride bicycles to school. Since 2007, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition has provide community workshops and classroom education. More information can be found at www.iowasaferoutes.org.
Event Registration Services Offered by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and Eventbrite Partnership The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is offering event registration services to rides across the state through a partnership with Eventbrite. Rides taking advantage of this service will be able to accept credit cards, manage registrations, and improve communication to riders. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition has been using this service for several large events including the BACooN Ride, BRR, and the Route Announcement Party.
The registration services with the Iowa Bicycle Coalition also include event marketing to the Iowa Bicycle Coalition members and other event participants. The system makes it easy for people to be invited to other events using the system.
The service fees are applied to every registration, but may be passed on to the participant. Ticket fees are 2.0%+$0.99. Credit card fees are 2.85%. Events can be sent checks on a bi-weekly or monthly basis until the time of the event.
To take advantage of this opportunity, contact Mark Wyatt at 515.309.2867 or email mark@iowabicyclecoalition.org.
The Eventbrite system has features beneficial to event managers and participants. But this just isn’t a commercial for Eventbrite. Events can use Eventbrite without partnering with the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, but our partnership will offer lower rates and access to enhanced marketing.
Iowa Bike Tech Tee Available Online $20.00 Get one of these great 100% poly A4 tech tees with Iowa Bike vertically on the front and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition logo on the back. Mens crew neck. Womens v-neck. These are great shirts for riding, working out, or casual. $5 shipping per item, lower 48 US states only. No exchanges. IOWA BICYCLIST | PAGE 2
Finally, Iowa Bicycle Coalition members will be offered discount codes, increasing the marketing reach for events and benefits for members.
Preparing for Bicycling in Hot Weather With warm weather comes the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors in a whole new light. For many people, this involves taking out their bikes, filling their tires, and going for a nice ride. While bike riding is an amazing activity that offers a bounty of scenery, exercise, and great transportation, there are a few things that even the most seasoned biker ought to watch out for. With warmer weather comes the danger of dehydration and heat exhaustion. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition had recently put out a survey called Beat the Heat in an effort to find out more about how our members deal with the warm weather. We wanted to find out what the recommendations are to keep cool during the dog days of summer. A variety of responses came back, but they all seemed to focus on hydration, rests, and sunscreen. When asked the question “How do you deal with hot weather and bicycling” 71% of our members agreed that one should drink more water. It is always important to stay hydrated no matter what kind of exercise you partake in. When asked how often to drink water, most bikers suggested some every ten to fifteen to stave off the effects of dehydration. There were, however, various answers that gave more tips. One person went so far as to explain that they
IBC Sponsored Events: July 19 Visit our booth at the RAGBRAI Expo [Rock Valley] August 31 Gran Gable Fondo [Iowa City/Coralville] January 23, 2015 Iowa Bicycle Summit [Des Moines]
stopped to take a drink of chafed lips! water before every large hill, and at the top of them. Biking is a wonderful activity embraced by many. As the The next highest answer for weather gets warmer and how to deal with hot weather warmer it is important to and biking involved biking remember a couple tips. early. One of the other First, drink a lot of water, as responses took that answer hydration is one of the most and switched it around. important things to stave off Instead of biking early they heat exhaustion. You might biked late. During dawn and even consider drinking dusk the days’ temperatures things with electrolytes or are at their lowest, making it having small healthy easier to bike in. snacks. Next, be sure to pack and put on that The last question on the sunscreen! It is highly survey was about what agreed that sunscreen is other things are very import- one of the most important ant when bike riding. A large things to use come the majority of the answers, summer months. Also, one about 87%, said that next to should keep to the shade water, sunscreen was one of and try to use things such as the most important things to bandanas and breathable remember. It’s never any fun fabrics to make their rides to go outside and ride with more comfortable. Whether lobster red skin. It hurts, it you’re biking for recreation peels, and it’s terribly itchy, or for exercise, keep these especially when wet. Lip tips in mind and your ride balm and bandanas were will be an enjoyable amongst the other things success. important to remember. Bandanas to wick off sweat and lip balm for those wind
January 24, 2015 Iowa Bike Expo [Des Moines] January 24, 2015 RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party [Des Moines] February 7, 2015 BRR [Perry] April 7, 2015 Legislative Bike Ride [Des Moines]
IOWA BICYCLIST | PAGE 3
Iowa Bicycle Coalition Staff Reports Safe Routes to School Alana Croco
Executive Director Mark Wyatt Two fatal crashes have touched the bicycling community in Iowa. Both crashes involved motorists, but each has different circumstances.
I know, I know, I know. It’s only the middle of June and I’m wanting to discuss starting exciting programs in the fall!
The initial quote in the news was no charges were expected in the fatal crash that killed Shawn Gorsh and injured Jeff Gray near Manson. In subsequent conversations with the Iowa State Patrol we have learned that was incorrect. It should have read no charges until the investigation is complete.
One of the more exciting programs we’re looking to help your community build is the International Walk/ Bike to school day event. It’s only 112 days away so we need to be sure you’re prepped and ready to go. You’ll probably see me starting to promote this event periodically throughout the summer and then more aggressively once school starts.
These things take time. Just like the rest of the cycling community, we want swift justice. But we want a full and fair investigation too. These things take time. Toxicology reports can take weeks and that information can make the difference on how the case is charged. What we don’t want to do is take our eye off the case. To those ends, we are adding information on our website. Prior, we have tracked the names, dates, and circumstances of fatal crashes. We submit letters to the county attorney and Iowa DOT. We will follow up weeks and months later to learn the charges filed or not filed in each case. We would prefer to see fatal bicycle crashes reduced to zero, but until that time, we will make sure they are charged appropriately.
We’ll be applying to give prizes away for your community but we also have a HUGE prize we’re trying to give to one committed community. We would like to see at least 90 schools participate in this event. You can host an event any time throughout the month of October to be considered eligible and all you have to do is register! http://walkbiketoschool.org/ October 8!
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