Conservation Policy:
Iowa Bicycle Coalition

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The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has become a founding member of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, a new non-profit organization working to promote bicycling in Iowa as a safe and enjoyable mode of recreation and transportation.

Iowa has a positive image for bicycling for at least one week of the year, during RAGBRAI. However, though Iowa is a national leader in trail development, our trail construction has slowed because of reduced funding by the Iowa legislature. Meanwhile, every year new roads are built or resurfaced without bicycle accommodations. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition hopes to build on Iowa's positive image and make this state truly bicycle friendly.

The Coalition will begin its mission by promoting bicycle tourism in Iowa, presenting a statewide bicycle conference and becoming an information clearinghouse. For example, the Coalition will disseminate information about rider safety, safe biking to schools, incorporating bicycles into local transportation systems and other safety and advocacy topics.

In addition to benefiting the bikers, bicycling benefits the larger society. Cities in the industrial world typically dedicate one third of their land to motor vehicles for roads and parking lots-- much more than the space needed for walking or bicycling. When Iowans choose non-car transportation, they are improving their health and fitness, causing less wear and tear on our roadways and reducing air pollution. In 1989 Minnesota estimated that, when residents used their bicycles instead of their cars, they saved the state more than $40 million annually. Given that 40 percent of trips are two miles or less, most Iowans could easily replace one or two weekly car rides with walking or biking.

The Coalition's first-year fundraising goal is $100,000. Until year-end, the group is offering special Founding Memberships. Founding members are recognized for their early support of the Coalition.
For more information on the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, visit www.iowabicyclecoalition.org or contact Mark Wyatt at 319-626-6017 or mark@iowabicyclecoalition.org.

This article was written by Lisa Hein. Lisa is INHF's Program and Planning Director, active with INHF's trails work and on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.