Does it work to bike to work in Eastern Iowa?

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May is designated as national bike month, and over the next few weeks you'll hear about local cycling activities, perhaps none more than Bike to Work Week, which is May 12-16.

Bike to Work Week is part of a national movement that's been getting more and more attention each year. Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and other communities are celebrating with several activities. Events are listed at the bottom of this article.

Cycling is a healthy activity, it reduces the number of cars on the road, it doesn't require natural resources, and it doesn't produce emissions. Some cities and towns have added amenities to encourage cycling, but there's still plenty of obstacles that can serve as a deterrent.

Plenty of cyclists have a comfort level navigating traffic, but for others there's a perception that it isn't safe, especially on busy and narrow streets if they don't have a designated bike lane. Many cyclists and motorists are still learning rules of a shared road, which can create some dangerous situations. Trail systems don't flow through the key areas where people need to get, in many cases.

Some communities, such as Waterloo and Cedar Falls, have adopted an approach called Complete Streets, which is an urban planning philosophy where the road is for everyone including all ages of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, shoppers or others. And, new project designs reflect that.

That step was taken as part of the Blue Zones initiative to become healthier communities.

What changes would you like to see to make biking to work safer and more realistic for people in our region? 

Full disclosure, I am an occasional cyclist and contribute to my bike club, Bicyclists of Iowa City, on the board of directors.

Here's some of the bike month events in our region. Send me an email at brian.morelli@sourcemedia.net or leave a note in the comments if I missed one.

Cedar Rapids

May 12 – 16 | Bike to Work Week Activities

Free City Bus Rides for cyclists using the bus bike racks during Bike to Work Week.

Half of the U.S. population lives within 5 miles of their workplace, a 15 – 20 minute commute by bike. The average commuter loses 13 pounds in the first year they commute by bike. Bike to Work Week events include:

Monday, May 12 | Mayor's Proclamation and Kick-off

Join Mayor Ron Corbett at Red's Public House (112 2nd Street SE) at 7:15 a.m. for the official proclamation and kick-off of Bike to Work Week. Swing by the “pit stop” on 1

^st

Ave and 4

^th

Street NE from 6 – 9 a.m. for refreshments. Free t-shirts and water bottles while supplies last. Cyclists can enter their names into a grand prize drawing, to be awarded on Friday during the wrap-up party.

Tuesday, May 13 | Bike2Work Consultants Ride

Bike2Work Consultant Nikki Northrop Davidson will host a Bike to Work ride on Tuesday. Anyone interested in learning more about commuting to work by bike can meet at 7:10 a.m. at Cedar Lake to travel together by bike. The “traveling bus” will drop off participants at the Convention Center, Intermec/Great America Leasing, Czech Village/Sokol, HiBu, and Transamerica (W)/GE Capital area. The total ride distance will be 7.4 miles. For more information on the Bike2Work ride, please email Nikki Northrop Davidson at info@bike2workconsultants.com.

 

Thursday, May 15 | Mayor's Bike Ride

A traditional favorite, the Mayor's Bike Ride will begin from Greene Square Park at 7:00 a.m. and wrap-up at the new Geonetric headquarters in the NewBo District at approximately 7:20 a.m. Water and light snacks provided by Geonetric. Free t-shirts and water bottles will be distributed to all who participate in the Mayor's bike ride, while supplies last. Cyclists can sign up for the grand prize drawing, to be given away on Friday.

Friday, May 16 | Wrap-up Party and Photo at Brick's

Swing by the pit stop on 1

^st

Ave and 4

^th

Street SE from 4 – 6 p.m. for free t-shirts and water bottles while supplies last. Then head over to Brick's Bar and Grill (320 Second Avenue SE) for a wrap-up party. Grand prize drawing and cyclist team photo will be held at 6:15 p.m.

Other May activities include:

Thursdays in May | Meet Me at the Market

Safe Kids Linn County, May 22 event sponsor

NewBo City Market (1100 3rd Street SE)

Rides starts at 6:00 p.m. each evening. All are welcome.

 

May 17 | Bike Swap

NewBo City Market (1100 3rd Street SE)

Buy bike stuff – Sell bike stuff – Ride your bike!

Visit newbocitymarket.com for details.

May 21 | Cedar Rapids Ride of Silence

Greene Square Park, 6 p.m.

Join cyclists worldwide for a silent, slow-paced ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. Ride distance is about 3 miles.

May 24 | Ride Walk Play CR

A fun and educational tour through Linn County Trails

Fee: $5 for adults, $2 for child 12 and under, $15 for family.

To register call: 319-362-8500 ext. 218 or e-mail: Jan@NCSML.org.

For more information visit linncountytrails.org.

Iowa City 

[naviga:h2 style="color: #000000;"]May 5-9: Bike to School Week

Bike Rodeos – twelve schools in the area will host bike rodeos organized and hosted by parents and/or teachers. The Bicyclists of Iowa City provides expertise, facilitates helmet sales and bike repair stations. Each school receives $50 to cover expenses and raffle prizes. Students qualifying for free/reduced lunch will receive a free helmet. Co-sponsors include AAA, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, and the UIHC Children's Safety Program. Contact Bob Oppliger at (319) 338-4011 for details.

The Iowa Safe Routes to School program is encouraging schools across the state of Iowa to participate in International Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 7. If you would like your school to participate, register your event at the International Walk to School website. If you have any questions about Walk to School Day please contact Alana, Safe Routes to School Director at the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, at 319-430-7473 or alana@iowabicyclecoalition.org.

[naviga:h2 style="color: #000000;"]May 12-16: Bike to Work Week

15% discount on purchases at Beadology, 220 E. Washington St. – must have helmet to receive discount (promoting safety).

10% discount on purchases at World of Bikes, 723 S. Gilbert St. – must ride your bike to store to receive discount.

Ride for free on Iowa City and Coralville Transit for people with a bicycle, to help cyclists get home in the event of bad weather, a flat tire, or other unforeseen event.

Saturday May 10:

Start Bike to Work Week early at the Spring Garage Sale , 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.., sponsored byIowa City Bike Library. 408 E. College Street). Sweet deals on bikes, frames, parts and Bike Library merchandise!

Monday, May 12:

Bike Commuter Breakfast, sponsored by Thirtieth Century Bicycles (312 E Prentiss St) 7:30-10 a.m.

Bike/Bus/Car Race, sponsored by the MPO of Johnson County, beginning at 11:33 a.m. at the Coralville Public Library and ending at the Iowa City Public Library, featuring elected officials. Contact Kris Ackerson at (319) 356-5247 for details.

Tuesday, May 13:

Bike Commuter Breakfast, 7-9 a.m., sponsored by Johnson County. Located at Johnson County Administration Building, 913 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City (rain location at parking ramp north of Health and Human Service Building, 855 S. Dubuque St.)

Bike Commuter Lunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Broken Spoke (602 South Dubuque Street), sponsored by Griddle Me This! and The Broken Spoke. The lunch will encourage bicyclists to commute to work by rewarding them with a fantastic free lunch for commuting on their bicycles!

Two Wheels, Fifty Years Ago, Thirtieth Century Bicycles (312 E. Prentiss St.), 7-9 pm., sponsored by Thirtieth Century Bicycles and Think Bicycles Coalition of Johnson County. By day, Gary Frost is a mild-mannered book conservator and educator, yet more than 50 years ago he undertook two solo bicycle trips, to California and in Alaska. These were solo trips at a time when there were very few other traveling cyclists. Come hear the adventures told by a master storyteller.

Wednesday, May 14:

Bike Commuter Breakfast, 6:15-9 a.m., sponsored by the City of University Heights and Geoff's Bike and Ski. Located at/near City Office, 1004 Melrose Avenue – look for Geoff's Bike and Ski tent.

Old Pi to New Pi Ride, sponsored by New Pioneer Coop, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Chauncey Swan Park in Iowa City where Iowa City Councilor Susan Mims will send off the group and Coralville Mayor John Lundell will welcome riders to New Pioneer Co-op in Coralville. Live music, food, and the new Beauties & Beaters Contest (for prettiest and least pretty bikes). No preregistration is required. Ride together from Chauncey Swan Park to Dubuque St (via Linn, Burlington and Clinton Sts.) to Park Rd., through City Park, Rocky Shore Drive, Highway 6, First Ave, Fifth Street to New Pi.

Beauties & Beaters, sponsored by Bicyclists of Iowa City, New Pioneer Coop, and Think Bicycles Coalition of Johnson County. Fun contest to select the prettiest and ugliest bike in Iowa City. Tentatively, there will be two divisions, adults and kids. Participants in the ride will vote for the winners. Prizes will be award for the top vote getters. Contact Bob Oppliger at (319) 338-4011 for details.

Thursday, May 15:

Rain date for Old Pi to New Pi Ride – see details above

Friday, May 16:

Bike Commuter Breakfast, 7-9 a.m. at World of Bikes (723 S. Gilbert St.), sponsored by World of Bikes and Think Bicycles Coalition of Johnson County. Featuring homemade breakfast burritos! Donations accepted for the Youth Off Road Riders.

Friday Night Meet-up, 5 pm – ? Trumpet Blossom Cafe (310 E. Prentiss St.). Let's close the books on another great Bike to Work Week at one of our favorite bike-friendly restaurants. If the weather's good we'll sit outside on the patio. Casual.

[naviga:h2 style="color: #000000;"]Employer Programs

Bike Obstacle Course, Wednesday, May 14, from 12-1p at the Johnson County Administration Building. This event is for Johnson County Government employees. For more event info, contact Diana Kremzar, 

Dkremzar@co.johnson.ia.us, (319) 688-5865.