The County Board of Supervisors is considering requiring permits, insurance, etc. for organized bicycle rides. The item has been placed in the Johnson County Trails Advisory Committee agenda for July 7, 2009, 4:30 PM, JC Administration Building.
As you may know other counties have considered this for rides as small as ten people that were advertised by even email (yes this would have meant club rides, team rides, and bike shop rides) and ultimately rejected the idea. It was estimated that securing insurance could cost several hundred dollars per ride -- times that by all the rides in the county each week and you start to see the problem. There is also the matter of state law on access to roads and the constitution.
It may be a good idea to get some people organized before this idea gets legs. You can reach the County Board here:
http://www.johnson-county.com/supervisors/index.shtml
All the details are below in the minutes.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Iowa City Announces Bike Improvements
Johnson County residents and bicycling enthusiasts are invited to join Iowa City Mayor Regenia Bailey on Thursday, July 2nd at 5:15 p.m. in College Green Park to see the most recent improvements to the local bicycle network – shared lane arrows, or “sharrows.”
In an effort to become more bicycle-friendly, some Johnson County communities are installing new sharrow pavement markings and bike lanes on streets this summer. The sharrows, which are an alternative to bike lanes, can be found on 5th Street in Coralville, and on Market, Jefferson, and College Streets in Iowa City, beginning this week. Bike lanes will be painted on segments of Market and Jefferson Streets.
A sharrow does not demarcate a separate bicycle lane, but it does direct the bicyclist to travel in the proper lane position to avoid being hit by opening doors of parked cars. The sharrow markings also remind roadway users where the travel lane is too narrow to be safely shared side-by-side by cyclists and passing motorists.
Many cyclists know that when there is no bike lane present, cyclists are expected to ride on the right. Some sharrows and bike lanes, however, are located in the left lane. Why? In a word, safety:
1. Bicycle lanes and sharrows on the left side of some one-way streets are gaining popularity to help reduce the number of bicyclists being struck by opening car doors;
2. This location removes bicyclists from the path of buses pulling into bus stops;
3. The left curb lane is most clear of snow on streets where vehicles park along the right curb; and
4. The design helps increase visibility, as the rear-right blind spot is eliminated and drivers can more easily see a bicyclist in the driver’s side mirror.
For more information on sharrows and bike lanes or other improvements to the local bicycling network, contact Kristopher Ackerson, JCCOG Assistant Transportation Planner, at 319.356.5247.
In an effort to become more bicycle-friendly, some Johnson County communities are installing new sharrow pavement markings and bike lanes on streets this summer. The sharrows, which are an alternative to bike lanes, can be found on 5th Street in Coralville, and on Market, Jefferson, and College Streets in Iowa City, beginning this week. Bike lanes will be painted on segments of Market and Jefferson Streets.
A sharrow does not demarcate a separate bicycle lane, but it does direct the bicyclist to travel in the proper lane position to avoid being hit by opening doors of parked cars. The sharrow markings also remind roadway users where the travel lane is too narrow to be safely shared side-by-side by cyclists and passing motorists.
Many cyclists know that when there is no bike lane present, cyclists are expected to ride on the right. Some sharrows and bike lanes, however, are located in the left lane. Why? In a word, safety:
1. Bicycle lanes and sharrows on the left side of some one-way streets are gaining popularity to help reduce the number of bicyclists being struck by opening car doors;
2. This location removes bicyclists from the path of buses pulling into bus stops;
3. The left curb lane is most clear of snow on streets where vehicles park along the right curb; and
4. The design helps increase visibility, as the rear-right blind spot is eliminated and drivers can more easily see a bicyclist in the driver’s side mirror.
For more information on sharrows and bike lanes or other improvements to the local bicycling network, contact Kristopher Ackerson, JCCOG Assistant Transportation Planner, at 319.356.5247.
Iowa Crossing Guard Program
Below is the link to today's (July 1st) Iowa City Press-Citizen article regarding the Iowa School Crossing Guard Program. If your schools guards want a more consistent and thorough training there is something coming! Check it out and enjoy!
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907010311
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907010311
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
DMBikePlan.com and Greaterthangoods.com
Two important websites of note for the biking community this week.
http://www.DMBikePlan.com
We have launched the URL of the Des Moines Bicycle Plan this week. As of now, it points to the section of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition's website. We will post information, maps, slides, and have a webform for comments and feedback. Keep an eye on this website for updates. Most of all, remember to attend the Des Moines Bike Summit on July 14 at the Central Library. 12:00 & 5:30 meetings to get your input on the shape of the Des Moines Bike Plan.
http://www.GreaterThanGoods.com
Our friends at Greater Than Goods are selling T-shirts to benefit the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Check out the Another Way to Roll section. Fantastic designs and a great group of people to work with.
http://www.DMBikePlan.com
We have launched the URL of the Des Moines Bicycle Plan this week. As of now, it points to the section of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition's website. We will post information, maps, slides, and have a webform for comments and feedback. Keep an eye on this website for updates. Most of all, remember to attend the Des Moines Bike Summit on July 14 at the Central Library. 12:00 & 5:30 meetings to get your input on the shape of the Des Moines Bike Plan.
http://www.GreaterThanGoods.com
Our friends at Greater Than Goods are selling T-shirts to benefit the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Check out the Another Way to Roll section. Fantastic designs and a great group of people to work with.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Clinton, Iowa Safety Town
Clinton, Iowa has the right idea regarding safety education for young children. During the past two weeks in June, children that are pre-kindergarten, ages 4 and 5, meet for two hours every weekday for a safety education lesson. These lessons include traffic light and safe crossing, water safety, stranger danger, fire safety, emergency reporting, and bicycle safety. This program reaches approximately 150 students and utilizes a portable plywood mini Clinton with streets, stop signs and lights. More pictures from this program can be found on the Iowa Safe Routes facebook group, Join it and check them out!
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