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Entries tagged: Iowa

Last week, I mentioned recent research from Resource Systems Group and Local Motion on the economic impact of biking in Vermont, which revealed that, in 2009, bicycling and walking created at least 1,400 jobs, $41 million in personal income (wages) and $83 million in revenue. In Iowa, those numbers are even higher.

According to “Economic and Health Benefits of Bicycling,” the spending of recreational cyclists generates $364.8 million in direct and indirect impacts to the State of Iowa. And that’s just the economic aspect. When it comes to health, bicycling saves the state $73.9 million in healthcare costs for those who cycle recreationally, while bicycle commuters cash in on another $13.2 million in health care cost savings.

The findings were so impressive they surprised even Mark Wyatt, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition: “The return on investment was much larger than expected.”

Released just before the Iowa Bike Summit, Wyatt used the data to urge continued investment in biking infrastructure, trails and programs. “More opportunities for Iowans to bicycle will help Iowa become the healthiest state,” Wyatt said. “We know a lot of Iowans have bicycles, but may not have ridden them in some time. We need to find ways to encourage more bicycle riding.”

Download the full report from the Alliance Resource Library.

Two weeks ago, 13 advocates from seven Midwest bike/ped organizations gathered in Davenport, Iowa for an Alliance Winning Campaigns Training.

Hosted by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and facilitated by veteran bike/ped advocate Dave Snyder and Alliance CEO Jeff Miller, participants had two and a half days to develop their campaign strategy, learn from fellow organizers, and – of course – bike along the Mississippi River.

“This training helped me become a better leader and advocate for bicycling,” said Jessica Giard from the South Dakota Bicycle Coalition. Giard not only worked through the development of a complete streets campaign, but also said she plans to apply what she learned to other aspects of her burgeoning organization.

Campaigns that were addressed by other training participants included 3-foot passing laws, Safe Routes to School, mandatory training for all crossing guards in Iowa, and working with a state DOT to update drivers’ license manuals and exams to include questions about biking and walking.

Not knowing what a campaign was before the Friday evening session of the course, Ruth Myers from Active Transportation Alliance in Chicago said she now has a clear blueprint, identified targets, manageable goals, and is well on her way to work on improving Chicago metro stations to be more accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. “Whether you are a novice advocate or an old hand, you’ll learn something from this course,” she said.

Heed the advice of Wes Ridgeway from the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation: “If you want to participate in projects in a positive way, please take this training.” Join the many organizations and advocates who have participated in and grown from the Alliance’s Winning Campaigns Trainings and sign up for the upcoming training in Baltimore, MD, May 13-15. Early registration ends today, so register online for a discounted weekend price.

This affordable training wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Planet Bike, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, SRAM, Bikes Belong, AARP, Alta Planning + Design, Team Estrogen, Sun Bicycles and Specialized. Sponsorship opportunities are still available; click here for more information.

We hope to see you in Maryland next month!

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is celebrating brand-new bike lanes in downtown Des Moines.

This month, the city striped lanes for two-wheeling travelers on Ingersoll Avenue, a main strip for shopping and dining in Iowa’s capital. This transformation will turn a busy four-lane artery into an accessible two-lane road, with bike lanes on either side.

Cyclists are excited to ride the Avenue and residents are eager to see how the new transit option impacts the local businesses. One shop-owner on Ingersoll just happens to be Frank Cownie (pictured), the city’s mayor and an avid cyclist. “We’re very hopeful as business owners that this will be quite a helpful addition,” he told KCCI News.

Click here to watch a helmet video of the new lanes, shot by Des Moines advocate Carl Voss. For more information, visit http://www.iowabicyclecoalition.org/.

Blog contributed by Adam Levine