Iowa Bicyclist Winter 2011
IOWABICYCLECOALITION.ORG
Iowa Bicycle Summit January 28 & 29 RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party January 29
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Jayne McGuire Completes Safe Routes to School National Course Instructor Training
In Birmingham, Alabama, Jayne McGuire completed the instructor training for the National Center Safe Routes to School course. Safe Routes to School is designed to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative; and to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools. Today, less than fifteen percent of children walk or bicycle to school. The sharp decline in walking and bicycling has had a negative impact on traffic congestion, air quality and student safety around schools. Safe Routes to School addresses these concerns and provides resources to establish a program in your community. Jayne has been trained in performing a workshop for schools or communities wanting to enhance their walkability and bikeability for students. Jayne works as the Safe Routes to School Program Director for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition head quartered in Coralville, Iowa. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition builds partnerships, educates Iowans and helps to establish safe and enjoyable bicycle transportation and recreation networks throughout Iowa.
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Alliance for Bicycling and Walking to Offer a Winning Campaigns Training April 1-3, 2011, Quad Cities. The Alliance For Bicycling and Walking will hold a Winning Campaigns Training, a three-day boot camp for bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, in the Quad Cities on April 1-3. This action-oriented workshop gives novice and veteran advocates the tools to create and manage powerful campaigns to increase biking and walking in their communities. The proven curriculum is led by longtime advocates and national experts with firsthand experience conducting — and winning — bicycle and pedestrian campaigns. But Winning Campaigns Trainings are more than a class. They are a fun, interactive experience that foster collaboration among advocates. You’ll leave with specific next steps and strategies for your next Winning Campaign! Past participants have won complete streets campaigns, Safe Routes to School campaigns, bike safety campaigns at the state and local level — and many more! Details will be announced at IowaBicycleCoalition.org and via the Iowa Bicyclist Email. Contact mark@iowabicyclecoalition.org if interested in attending.
Advocacy News The Iowa Bicycle Coalition builds partnerships, educates Iowans, and helps to establish safe and enjoyable bicycle transportation and recreation networks throughout Iowa. The 2011 Top Five Campaigns for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Safe Routes to School Mainstreaming alternative transportation Bicycle and traffic safety education Monitoring legislation and government Complete streets education
The Iowa Bicyclist is published quarterly by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, P.O. Box 5562, Coralville, Iowa 52241. Creative Commons licensing, Attribution, No Commercial Use, No Derivatives, Share Alike. Subscription is included with the price of a $25 or more membership. Please see the application later in this publication. Opinions expressed by writers are are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Inc.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lisa Hein - President Forrest Ridgway - Vice President Jeri Neal - Secretary Joe Connolly - Treasurer Steve Schurtz Stephen Schnitker Cassandra Kessler Charlie Smith Kay Snopek Tim Nelson STAFF Mark Wyatt Executive Director Jayne McGuire Safe Routes To School Director Heather Stoltzfus Development Coordinator Audrey Wiedemeier Iowa Goes By Bicycle Coordinator
IowaBicycleCoalition.org
By Mark Wyatt - mark@iowabicyclecoalition.org
Bicyclists sound off in legislative priority survey. Recently, we asked people to complete a legislative priorities survey. The survey produced some interesting results and gave a snapshot of what cyclists are thinking about. “What do you feel is the biggest obstacle preventing more active transportation?” The most people answered that they have limited or no access to safe facilities (e.g. bike routes, bike lanes, trails, etc.), but people also choose social norms and our automobile-centric culture. Motorist behavior ranked third. The least picked answers were lack of innovative facilities and limited enforcement of existing laws. “What motorist behavior do you feel causes the most risk to bicyclists?” The top answers were distracted driving and passing too closely. Ranking lowest were speeding and running red lights or stop signs. “In which of these environments would you most like to reduce motor vehicle speeds?” I found it surprising that most people chose residential zones. In the previous question, speed wasn't a big priority, so many people didn't answer this question. Oregon is considering a law requiring bicycle boulevards to have a 20 mph speed limit. Bicycle Boulevards are typically placed on residential streets. We will have to follow the progress of the Oregon proposal. “I am most interested in improving opportunities for” Commuting and recreational cycling were split fairly evenly. On the open ended question, "The one state-level legislative change I want Iowa Bicycle Coalition to pursue is:”, there was a wide range of answers. Many referred to complete streets, Idaho Stop/Yield Laws, paved shoulders/bike lanes/rumble strips, and 3' or 5' passing distance laws. Many respondents urged us to continue to press for a 3' passing law. I appreciate the over 425 people who took the time to answer the survey. There seems to be great support for a safe passing law and increasing bicycle facilities. We will keep pushing for inclusion of those items in the next legislative session.
Complete Streets Completed I am happy to announce we have completed a project in partnership with Green Streets at the Iowa Department of Economic Development. This project brought the Iowa Bicycle Coalition to Iowa communities to help them learn about complete streets. We delivered workshops in Oskaloosa, Manning, Woodbine, Waverly, Fort Madison, Elkader, West Union, and Jewell/Hamilton County. The workshops presented bicycle elements, pedestrian elements, bike parking, traffic calming, and encouragement/education opportunities. In addition, we have created a Complete Streets guide that will be available for communities to get a better vision on what complete streets look like. Finally, we recorded our presentations on WebEx and will use that format online. We hope to continue the workshops on a contract basis with communities.
Welcome Aboard Audrey Wiedemeier! We have hired Audrey Wiedemeier to head our new Iowa Goes By Bicycle campaign. Audrey is orignially from Ames and spent a semester interning with IBC before graduation.
IOWA goes by BICYCLE
Iowa Bicycle Coalition Rolls Out New Years Resolution: 1,000 New Active Riders With the essence of goal-making in the air the Iowa Bicycle Coalition happily announces one of their own New Years resolutions:get 1,000 new bicyclist riding for transportation in Iowa. The campaign Iowa Goes By Bicycle is aimed at encouraging and supporting more bicycle use. In early December The Coalition received news that they would soon be able to make this state-wide bicycling program a reality in 2011 with a grant the received from Wellmark Foundation. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition was also able to hire on new team member Audrey Wiedemeier as the Iowa Goes By Bicycle Program Coordinator. Does the state-wide bicycling initiative sound like quite a feat? Wouldn't it be great? Well yes, and that's where our members, non-members, and fellow bicycle enthusiast come in. As part of our strategy the Iowa Bicycle Coalition will be asking experienced-riders to recruit friends and family to take part in the Iowa Goes By Bicycle Challenge that kicks off May 16th -20thwith Bike to Work Week. The Challenge is a series four-week activities that takes place over five months.
“Iowa is a perfect candidate to get more communities across the state on-par with the model Portlands of the world, and Iowa Goes By Bicycle Challenge is a great way to get people who have always wanted to ride on their bikes.” says Wiedemeier. Iowa is well known for the annual RAGBRAI ride and it is common to see cyclist enjoying the tranquility of the countryside any other week but, less common are Iowans biking for transportation or utility purposes. “It's basically a wellness program but, instead of having to choose how you workout all you have to do is jump on your bicycle.” says creator of Iowa Goes By Bicycle Mark Wyatt. Getting 1,000 new riders across the whole state is achievable but, the Coalition definitely has its work cut out for them. With the help of Iowa bicycling enthusiasts and people willing to make the switch to the alternative lifestyle we'll soon be on our way to a healthier and more sustainable future for our state, on bicycles!
The full list of objectives for the Iowa Goes By Bicycle campaign to get more people safely riding are: 1. 25-week Bicycle Activity Challenge 2. Get bikers for transit to recruit friends/family to the lifestyle 3. Publication of an educational Iowa Goes By Bicycle Guide 4. Inspire new bicyclist and connect with them via the IGBB website As always, among top New Years resolutions are to get fit, diet, exercise, spend more time with family, quit smoking, enjoy life more, learn something new, help others, get out of debt, etc. Using the bicycle for transportation or commuting purposes can help people reach all of these goals! For those who don't already use their bikes for transportation the Iowa Goes By Bicycle is step-by-step plan that makes it easier to stay motivated to use the bike more often.
Audrey Wiedemeier will lead the Iowa Goes By Bicycle Program.
Antonio Rosell to be keynote speaker at Iowa Bicycle Summit January 28 & 29 Audrey Wiedemeier, Communications Intern At the invitation of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition Antonio Rosell, PE, AICP, director of the Community Design Group has accepted to be keynote speaker at the 2011 Iowa Bicycle Summit. The annual event, to be held January 28th and 29th, is low-cost and accessible education of the best practices in building stronger bicycle communities. Antonio Rosell is founder of Community Design Group, a people-centered, asset-based urban planning, policy and design consulting firm based in Minneapolis. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is excited to host Rosell as the 2011 Summit workshop leader. “Mr. Rosell is both a planner AND engineer which is an interesting appeal considering the training diversity of our audience,” says Mark Wyatt, Director of the Bicycle Coalition. One of Rosell and his consulting teams goals is to deliver sustainable solutions to mobility. This parallels that of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition: to promote cycling as safe and enjoyable recreation and transportation. As an urban planner, civil engineer, and community engagement practitioner, Rosell is well know for his multifaceted approach to planning, and that has public officials, community organizations, and bicycle and pedestrian advocates often seeking his advice. He is also known for providing training and conducting seminars on bicycle and pedestrian planning topics for practicing engineers, planners,
and advocates for sensible, community-based policies and practices. “Its hard to find a workshop facilitator who is energetic and an engineer. I think we’ve found both,” says Wyatt. “His level of expertise and experience in innovative non-motorized planning guarantees an engaging and dynamic 2011 Summit.” Rosell recently led the Design and Technical Services project for the Twin Cities Metro area as part of a $25 million Federal Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot grant coordinated by Transit for Livable Communities. “The frameworks we build as a society helps determine the type of interactions and relationships that can occur between people, and with our spaces and environments.” Says Rosell about the influence space has on livable communities. The Coalition is excited to bring Rosell, acclaimed expert in bicycle facility design, to Des Moines. As an exemplary planning figure, Rosell’s accomplishments in non-motorized transportation serve as example of what bicycle advocates can do to get better cycling facilities in their communities.
Iowa Kids on the Move Team training at the Summit Bicyclists to teach bike safety in elementary school classrooms Step up for Iowa Kids on the Move Safe Routes to School and attend the 2011 Iowa Bicycle Summit in Des Moines. On Saturday, January 29th Iowa Kids on the Move and Iowa Safe Routes to School will train the trainer on pedestrian and bicycle safety for kids.
ready to ride with proper air, brakes and chain checks. Then checking for any loose parts. Once on the road it is a matter of teaching them where to ride, following traffic signs and signals, signaling turns, watching for hazards and railroad track crossings.
Jayne McGuire will lead the training for Iowa Kids on the Move volunteers. This training will allow these volunteers into communities and schools to talk to 1st through 6th grade students on basic pedestrian and bicycle safety.
The summit will give these volunteers the overview of the training. Volunteers will be given scripts and will be shown how to present the material at the 2011 Iowa Bicycle Summit. They will be able to take this into the schools and present the basic material with their own personality. There are free educational prizes to give to the students at the end of the presentation.
Volunteers will be given the training and tools to go into elementary school classrooms to teach pedestrian safety to 1st through 3rd grade students. In these classes the students will learn basic safety of where to walk with and with out sidewalks, where to cross the street and how to cross the street. Other subjects covered are how to dress to be seen, traffic signs and signals. For the older students, 4th through 6th grade the trainees will learn how to present basic bicycle safety. For these students the first thing they will learn is how to properly fit a helmet. From there it is simple bicycle safety. Getting their bicycles
Would you like to see more kids walking and biking safely in your community? Then, sign up for the Iowa Bicycle Summit and the Safe Routes to School Iowa Kids on the Move session. Any questions about the Iowa Kids on the Move Safe Routes to School presentation should be directed to Jayne McGuire, 515-309-2840 or Jayne@iowabicyclecoalition.org .
New Additions Outcome of Well-Informed Wheelers By Audrey Wiedemeier, Communications Intern You can’t help but notice the puzzled expressions on friend’s faces when they hear the words ‘Iowa’ and, ‘vacation’, or ‘entertainment’ in the same sentence. Cyclists however, have the privilege of proudly responding by proclaiming the vast network of trails Iowa offers people in seek of adventure on two wheels. The 2010 Summit equipped non-engineer bike advocates with information and tools needed to advocate for, and contribute to, the further development of Iowa as a premier destination for cyclists. Notable achievements in the past year include: bike lanes on Ingersoll Avenue, completion of the Regional Trails Maps, the Fort Dodge riverfront system, and The High Trestle Trail, formally known as the Ankeny to Woodward Trail. Iowa boast over 1,400 miles of trails, and with experience and expertise gained annually at the Iowa Bicycle Summit, Iowans continue to contribute to a world-class trail system. The coordination of nine public entities, community advocates, donors, and a dedicated network of people working to enhance Iowa’s trails, the state recently introduced the nearly completed High Trestle Trail. Lisa Hein, Program and Planning Director of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation comments on the magnitude of this accomplishment pointing out that, “given the limited funding available the $15 million project was completed in a [relatively] short time frame” (8 years). Getting all nine jurisdictions to support a systematic maintenance and management plan, she says, is a big challenge; however, Hein anticipates, the hard work will pay off and, “Central Iowa will become
known as the Trails Capital, thanks in part to this project!” People have yet another reason to “discover a new view” of Iowa, and Iowans have another reason to take pride in their efforts. The 25-mile trail will connect two 100-mile trial loops, part of the Central Iowa Trail Network, running through Ankeny, Sheldahl, Slater, Madrid and Woodward. The bicycle friendly communities are a result of the well-informed people in these towns. The Summit aims to provide attendees with the information needed to get trails created in their area as well as how to inform their neighbors about the influence bikes have on communities. “We expect that communities along the trail will embrace it and support it to its fullest potential, we are just getting started,” says Hein. A formal celebration of the completion of The High Trestle Trail will be held Saturday, April 30th, 2011. The pleasant towns, 13-story half-mile bridge, scenic overlooks, and public art that comprise the trail are sure to allure riders from all around. Thanks to those who envisioned a route worth riding, collaborated, and had the strength and to make it happen.
2010 Summit Advances the RRVT/Whiterock Partnership and Bike Tourism in Iowa As bicycle tourism and recreation grows, Iowa is keeping on par. The 56-mile portion of the American Discovery Trail, the Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT), will soon extend to Whiterock Conservancy. This addition will give cyclist the option to experience the abundance of outdoor recreation that Whiterock and RRVT have to offer. Last years Summit provided education on the best approaches to implementing sustainable nature trails in communities of all sizes. Additionally, they provided information on generating master plans and obtaining funding to make plans a reality. Rachel Garst’s 2010 presentation used the RRVT/Whiterock connection as an example of multi-dimensional approach to securing more trails in Iowa. Crafting a bicycle experience that cyclists of all levels can enjoy, while incorporating in accommodations, entertainment, scenery, and low-impact recreation is what RRVT and Whiterock have partnered to achieve. Guidance, creative solutions, and opportunities for networking are what one can expect from the Summit. “It’s the only
place where cyclist from across the state can meet face-toface and formulate frameworks for increasing and linking trails systems,” says Mark Wyatt, Director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Rachel Garst, executive director of the non-profit Creating Great Places (CGP) in Coon Rapid who leads the planning committee for the RRVT extension to Whiterock, and Emily Babin of Whiterock Conservancy are working together to procure an outdoor recreation experience that also protects Iowa’s natural resources. Additionally, Babin believes, “the endeavor will have a positive bearing on the local economy.” Preservation and economic stimulation, while capturing the essence of bike tourism, is the kind of capacity building that the Summit contributes to. The ultimate goal is to make Iowa a premiere bicycle destination. Meeting the interest of a variety of bike enthusiasts and community members, with innovation and sustainable recreation is what this partnership aspires to achieve.
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NAME THAT TRAIL ON FACEBOOK The Iowa Bicycle Coalition has a “Name That Trail” contest on Facebook. Usually, someone answers correctly right away. This trail has some people stumped. Place your guess www.facebook.com/iowabicyclecoalition
The evening will feature live music with a special performance by The Johnny Holm Band, who have entertained RAGBRAI riders for many years. The RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party on January 29 begins at 8 PM at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. In addition to live music and the RAGBRAI route announcement, this special night will feature: * Live Auctions on Great Cycling Items * Silent Auctions on Great Cycling Items * Door Prizes * “Guess the Route” Raffles * Iowa Bicycle Coalition Updates * Complimentary RAGBRAI-style Snacks & Soft Drinks * Complimentary Drafts (also a Cash Bar) * Special Commemorative Souvenir Gift * Fun for ALL!
TICKETS ON SALE FOR $30 AT www.IowaBicycleCoalition.org
IOWA BICYCLE COALITION MEMBERS: There is a Pre-Event from 7-8 PM for Iowa Bicycle Coalition members only with special prizes and silent auction. You must be a current member to attend. You can purchase a membership at the door.