Wednesday, July 29, 2009

"Get Off The Road"

DW @ CycleSD was wide awake today; first with the news that there's an effort in our neighboring state of Iowa to get bicycles off the highways and on to multi-use paths.

DW e-mailed the group and received this in return: "This is for the state of Iowa only. The statistics are in upwards of 500/year last year alone 5 fatalities, and not only does this affect the bicyclists involved but also the motorist and their families the rest of their lives. We are not haters of bicycles and this is not just farmer oriented its about change for everyday citizens in the state of Iowa. Classified as a vehicle or not, we do not believe bicycles belong on our farm-to-market roadways."

Anybody here ever been to Iowa on their bike?

Here is a statement from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.

Makes me wonder what would happen if a similar attempt were to occur in South Dakota. Are South Dakota cyclists organized enough to defend their right to ride on the road?

Curiously the petition is hosted by Care2 a site where a person can "join the largest online community of people making a difference in healthy and green living..." I guess healthy is in the eye of the beholder and green living must have something to do with money.

5 comments:

ChipSeal said...

At the Care2 site a counter-petition has been started here...

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-sharing-iowa-fm-roads

The comments are kinda fun too.

bikingbrady said...

That's sweet, a petition to get cars off the road....

caheidelberger said...

Roads belong to everyone who wants to get from Point A to Point B. The only reason the government should discriminate against individuals for their choice of transportation is if the vehicle of their choice is a menace to society.

Let's see: death and destruction cause by cars versus death and destruction caused by bikes....

2whls3spds said...

You should really name the post "Get of MY Road" That is all it is about.

Aaron

Mark Carr said...

No more RAGBRAI????