First it was country bumpkins in Colorado’s Jefferson County that want to ban cyclists from county roads (or at least have the right to select some roads), now some Iowa ruralites seem to have stuck their head up the same arse.
Radio Iowa is reporting that a group calling itself the “Citizens for Safety Coalition of Iowa” is asking people to sign a petition that asks the legislature to create a ballot initiative for the November 2010 election that would ban bicycles on “farm-to-market” roads. Dan Jones of Van Meter is a spokesperson for the coalition.
Here’s a freakin’ quote for you: “Because of the growth of today’s commerce and agricultural business, shared roadways are no longer safe or practical in today’s society.” Now that’s forward thinking…
In case you’re wondering, “farm-to-market” means non-Interstate highways…basically any highway that connects agricultural and rural areas to towns and cities.  You know, the roads we all like to ride…the ones that so far we’ve had every legal right to ride…the ones that RAGBRAI has used for 37 years for the world’s largest and oldest touring bicycle ride.
If you want to see who to cross off your Christmas list this year, here’s a list of who’s signed the petition.
If you’re a cyclist in Iowa, now’s the time to act.  Call or email your state, county and city elected officials and let them know that you will not support anyone that entertains any legislation banning cyclists from public roads.
