Bike Challenge: Car-less in the Corridor for B2WW

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A week ago I posted about bike month and Bike to Work Week, which is this week, May 12-16. I wrote that while there's several positive attributes to bike commuting, there's also a number of obstacles.

The subtle hint was that we pat ourselves on the back once a year for our bike friendliness, but there's some inherent challenges to living without a car in our communities.

One reader called me on this sentence from the article: "Many streets remain too congested or narrow for cyclists to travel safely, and on many roads there's not a place for cyclists."

The person wrote, "I think this one sentence is really inaccurate."

"The road IS the place for cyclists - by Iowa law cyclists get a full lane, regardless of the width or traffic conditions. Research shows that bicyclists are safer on the road than on sidewalks. To me, that sentence seems to imply that cyclists don't belong, and my concern is in justifying motorists aggression toward cyclists. That's not right."

The reader is right. That statement was based on assumptions and hearsay rather than a tested fact.

So, what better way to find out reality than a first-hand look?

This week I'll make a good-faith effort to go car-less in the Corridor, and document how it goes. Follow along.

I am also looking for as many others that want to (safely) give it a try, and share how it goes. Send me an email at brian.morelli@sourcemedia.net if you'd like to share you experiences.

You can also tweet using hashtag #BikeWeekIowa

It's not case sensitive.

I'll be using that hashtag from my Twitter handle, @bmorelli.

My plan is to bike and use public transportation as much as possible. I've also looked into carpool websites and ride shares on Craigslist. The verdict is still out on that as an option.

Already, a few dilemmas are pretty obviously to life without a car.

I live in Iowa City and work half the week in Cedar Rapids. That's 35 miles and no really good, timely alternative means of covering that ground without a car.

Also, I normally help with shuttling the kids to school and activities, including a North Liberty run twice a week. And, I have to pick up a kayak on Wednesday.

I can rearrange some of my schedule, do things remotely, and my wife agreed to pick up some slack, but there's no doubt even before hitting the road, logistics will be a challenge.

Top it off, it's supposed to rain on Monday and Tuesday.

First lesson, read the forecast before committing to a bike project.

In case you missed it, here's Bike to Work Week events in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. I'm going to try to hit some of those this week.

[naviga:h2 style="color: #000000;"]Cedar Rapids

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:

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 1st Ave and 4th 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.

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.

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.

Swing by the pit stop on 1st Ave and 4th 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.

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.

NewBo City Market (1100 3rd Street SE)

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

Visit newbocitymarket.com for details.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.