Bicycle Advisory Newsletter

HEALTHIEST STATE INITIATIVE
Over 291,000 Iowans participated in the Start Somewhere Walk held at locations across Iowa on October 7, 2011. The Start Somewhere Walk was the kickoff event for the Healthiest State Initiative. Keep the momentum rolling by supporting Cedar Rapids to be selected as one of 10 Blue Zones Communities in Iowa.

Blue Zones Community is a model for transforming communities so the residents can more easily adopt behaviors that help them to live longer and better. It organizes programs to provide greater options for physical, emotional, and social health. www.bluezonesproject.com

Ten communities that demonstrate the greatest passion, interest and ability to bring their community together will receive assistance from national experts to develop and implement a plan for making permanent environment, policy and social network changes that transition people into healthier behaviors.

A major factor in Cedar Rapids being selected to become a Blue Zones Community is that members of the community support and vote for Cedar Rapids. Go here to vote:  http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup

 7TH AVENUE SE SHARED-USE LANES 
Shared-use lane pavement markings and share the road signs have been installed on 7th Avenue SE, from the Cedar River Trail at the railroad tracks to 1st Avenue SE, as part of a roadway project near the new federal courthouse.

KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES
At Northtowne Cycling and Fitness:
Bicycle Flat Tire Repair – Saturday 11/12  9:30am-11am
Basic Bicycle Rear Derailleur Adjustment – Saturday 12/3  9:30am-11am

At The Broken Spoke in Iowa City:
Buying a New Bike – Wednesday 11/16 6:30 pm-8pm
Let’s Ride: DIY Bike Maintenance – Wednesday 11/30  6:30pm-7:30pm
Basic Wheel Truing – Wednesday 12/14  6:30pm-7:30pm
Vehicular Cycling – Wednesday 12/21  6:30pm-8:30pm

At Gold Pointe Fitness Club:
Indoor Cycling – Tuesdays and Thursdays 11/15/11 – 1/5/12  6am-7am

At Cedar Rapids Community Training and Response Center:
Let’s Run: Train for Your First 5K – Wednesdays 11/16/11 – 1/18/12  5:30pm-7pm

At Cedar Rapids Kirkwood Center:
Nutrition and Hydration for Active Lifestyles – Wed 11/16  6:30pm-8pm at Cedar Rapids Kirkwood Center

Register online Kirkwood Community College Continuing Education. Listed under Life & Leisure – Fitness.
http://kirkwood.augusoft.net/
ECO LIPS PARTNERS WITH NEW BELGIUM BREWERY TO BENEFIT IOWA BICYCLE COALITION
Eco Lips, America’s premium organic lip balm company announces B3 for IBC, a two month long fundraising campaign to benefit the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.  The campaign will kick off on Wednesday, November 2,  6pm-10pm at the newly renovated CSPS in the New Bohemia District.  Eco Lips and New Belgium will be offering a beer tasting as well as appetizers chosen to compliment each brew.  There will also be live music powered by bicycles and a short presentation by Mark Wyatt, executive director of the IBC.   Every Wednesday following, from November 9th to December 28th, Eco Lips and New Belgium will work with a different local business to offer drink specials and giveaways all to benefit the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.  The public is welcome to visit the B3 for IBC Facebook event page for more details and to RSVP at the following link:  https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188970554512961&context=create

Mark Patterson, CEO of Eco Lips, knows his bikes, balms and beers well.  In 2004, Mark biked from Cedar Rapids to San Francisco visiting micro breweries along the way.  According to Mark, “B3 stands for Bikes, Balm and Beer, three things that we are passionate about in Cedar Rapids”.  “New Belgium and Eco Lips began discussing a partnership earlier this year”, says New Belgium Ranger Brandon Parizek, “It seems like a great way to promote an active lifestyle while also promoting safety and awareness”.  

Throughout November and December you can enter to win a chance to create the next Eco Lips lip balm.  “The winner will get to work with our product development team and create a one of kind lip balm to be sold on our website, with a portion of the proceeds going to IBC.” says Jen Johnson, Non Profit Coordinator of Eco Lips. 
Mark Wyatt, Executive Director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, believes this partnership will benefit bikers of all abilities in Iowa, “We want more people to ride bicycles more often.  We know there are great bike routes out there; we want to share them with everyone.  Our partnership with Eco Lips and New Belgium is going to enable the Iowa Bicycle Coalition to establish preferred and designated bicycle networks, increase safety, and ultimately increase the fun of riding a bicycle.  Eco Lips and New Belgium both believe that social responsibility is an integral part of a business model and they want to make Iowa a great place to ride.”