For more information contact:
Sgt. Cristy Hamblin
Public Information Officer
Cedar Rapids Police Department
Mobile: 319-360-9411
Office: 319-286-5439
c.hamblin@cedar-rapids.org
www.cedar-rapids.org/police
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
Walking Safely in Cedar Rapids
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – May 6, 2011 – The Cedar Rapids Police Department would like to remind drivers and pedestrians to drive and walk safely in Cedar Rapids. With the warmer weather and construction in the down town area, there many things to keep in mind when walking and driving.
Cedar Rapids Police have received many calls of concern in the downtown area where construction is taking place as well as in the Czech Village when walking tours are being conducted. Motorists are not watching for pedestrians in the crosswalks or at the corners. As stated in 61.053 of the Cedar Rapids City Ordinances and State of Iowa 321.327 pedestrians have the right-of-way when crossing in a marked crosswalk or at an intersection.
Motorists can be cited for Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device (Failure to yield to pedestrian within intersection). The fine is $100 and with court costs and surcharge, the total is $195.00.
Pedestrians who do not cross at the designated locations can be cited for Failure to Cross at Crosswalks. When this citation is issued, a court appearance is required.
321.257 Disobedience to a Traffic Signal
321.257.2 g. A “don’t walk” light is a pedestrian signal which means that pedestrian traffic facing the illuminated pedestrian signal shall not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the pedestrian signal, and pedestrian traffic in the crossing shall proceed to a safety zone.
321.257.2.h. A “walk” light is a pedestrian signal which means that pedestrian traffic facing the illuminated pedestrian signal may proceed to cross the roadway in the direction of the pedestrian signal and shall be given the right-of-way by drivers of all vehicles.
321.327 Pedestrians’ right-of-way
1. Where traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
2. A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 7.
321.328 Crossing at other than Cross Walk
1. Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway except that cities may restrict such a crossing by ordinance.
2. Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
3. Where traffic-control signals are in operation at any place not an intersection pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
Cedar Rapids City Ordinance
61.055 Crossing at Other than Crosswalk
1. Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. Where traffic-control signals are in operation at any place not an intersection, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in marked crosswalk.
61.056 Duty of Driver
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 61.055 every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise due care upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway.
Register now for Iowa Trails Summit in Cedar Falls/Waterloo June 16-18
AMES, Iowa – May 10, 2011 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is joining other state, local and regional groups to promote outdoor trail recreation in Iowa at the state’s second Trails Summit, June 16-18, in Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Iowa. Registration is now open online at http://www.iowabicyclecoalition.org/IowaTrailsSummit for this comprehensive trails summit.
Trail enthusiasts can choose to attend all or part of the three days of events that involve a diverse group of trail organizations representing virtually every trail user group, including motorized and nonmotorized, equestrian and water sports. There will be an emphasis on strategies, policies and development opportunities vested in unique partnerships promoting creation of new trail opportunities.
Some of Iowa’s leading experts on trail development and healthy communities will share their ideas on the challenges and opportunities trail organizations face in the coming years. The summit will include sessions with expert panelists moderated by leaders in the trails community. The panelists represent a cross-section of professionals, and each will present an innovative and interesting view of issues important to the future of Iowa trails, as well as participate in question and answer sessions.
The summit is another opportunity for interested parties to work together to preserve, protect and enhance the opportunities available for ourselves, and our friends and families to experience Iowa’s great outdoors, healthy activities and embrace a quality of life legacy that will pass to future generations.
Conference details
Thursday, June 16
Location: University of Northern Iowa’s Schindler Education Center, University Avenue and Campus Street, Cedar Falls
Fee: $30 for either session
- 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Water Trails Development Training ”From Raindrops to Water Trails – A comprehensive training program”
- 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Multiuser Trail Safety Panel
“Why Can’t We All Get Along – A Forum of Experts, Open Discussion, and Maybe Even an Argument!”
Friday, June 17
Location: University of Northern Iowa’s Schindler Education Center, University Avenue & Campus Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Fee: $30
- 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.: "The Future of Iowa Trails and Healthy Communities"
Location: Waterloo Boat House, 707 Park Road, Waterloo
Fee: $10
- 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Friday night barbeque
Saturday, June 18
Location: Riverview Recreation Area, Hawthorne Avenue, Waterloo
Fee: Free, with food available for purchase
- 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: A variety of outdoor recreation exhibits will be open to the public. This will be an exciting day for the public to explore the wide range of recreation trail opportunities available, as well as a great chance to network with other trail users. Families are welcome.
Registration details
- Online registration: www.iowabicyclecoalition.org/IowaTrailsSummit
- Registration by mail to: Iowa Bicycle Coalition, P.O. Box 5562, Coralville, Iowa 52241
- Make checks payable to: Iowa Bicycle Coalition
For general information, call Peter Komendowski at 319-269-8493 or www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes.
The Bike Lane - City of CR BAC Newsletter
NATIONAL BIKE MONTH AND BIKE TO WORK WEEK
1 day bus pass $3.00
10 ride bus pass for adults $12.50, students $10.00
31 day bus pass for adults $36.00, students $30.00
RIDE OF SILENCE
Join cyclists worldwide for this slow and silent ride to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured on roadways. Registration for the Ride of Silence begins at 6:30 pm on Wednesday May 18 in Greene Square Park, downtown Cedar Rapids. It’s free and everyone is welcome. Helmets are required. Ride begins at 7:00 pm. 3.7 mile route through downtown Cedar Rapids, ending at Parlor City Pub at 3rd Street and 12th Avenue SE. www.bikeiowa.com
LINN COUNTY SAFE KIDS COALITION
The Cedar Rapids Fire Department and the Cedar Rapids Police Department are sponsoring agencies of the Linn County Safe Kids Coalition. Safe Kids is a nationwide network of organizations working to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability for children ages 1 to 14. The Safe Kids Coalition educates families, provides safety devices to
families in need and advocates for better laws to help keep children safe, healthy and out of the emergency room. www.safekids.org
August 1-5
Summer Safety Boot Camp for children in Grades 3 through 5.
9:00 am – noon at Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Each day of the camp will focus on different safety topics including fire, water weather, bicycle and pedestrian, motor vehicle and more. At the end of the week, children will have a graduation and families will get to see many types of emergency response vehicles. Fee is $40. Deadline to register is June 17, 2011. For more information or to register, visit the Fire Department web site www.cedar-rapids.org/fire
DOWNTOWN DISTRICT BIKE RACKS
On May 12, the United Way Day of Caring, the Cedar Rapids Downtown District and volunteers will install nine wave style or inverted U style bike racks at downtown locations. The bike racks were purchased with funds from local sponsors and the
Rockwell Collins Green Communities Grant awarded on Earth Day. www.downtowncr.com
Greene Square Park – 2 wave
Red’s Public House – inverted U
The Blue Strawberry – inverted U
Piano Lounge – inverted U
MAC Express – inverted U
Dublin City Pub and the Fieldhouse – inverted U
2nd Street and 1st Avenue SE – wave
2nd Street and 2nd Avenue SE – wave
CEDAR VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY WOOF WALK
The Cedar Valley Humane Society's Woof Walk ~ Dog Walk and Fun Fest is Sunday, May 22, 2011, from 9 am
to noon at Noelridge Park in Cedar Rapids. The Fun Fest will have fun contests, food, demonstrations by Pawsitive Paws Academy and the Cedar Rapids Police Department K9 Unit. Visit with exhibitors including pet stores, pet daycare and boarding facilities, and veterinary clinics. All proceeds benefit the nearly 2,000 animals the Cedar Valley Humane Society helps each year. www.cvhumane.org/events-calendar
Portions of Cedar River Trail to Close Temporarily
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – April 28, 2011 – A portion of the Cedar River Trail will close from April 29 through May 15, 2011. ITC Midwest will be working on the transmission lines. The area affected, starting on the north side of the closure, is from where the trail crosses Shaver Road south around the back side of Cedar Lake to where the trail ties back into the front section of the Cedar Lake Loop Trail, just to the east of Stickle Salvage. A detour will be marked following Shaver Road south to the existing railroad causeway section of the Cedar Lake Loop Trail and then on towards downtown Cedar Rapids. There will be no access to the trail from Cedar Lake Park.
In addition, the Cedar River Trail along the Cedar River from the 8th Avenue Bridge to the 7th Avenue access adjacent to the new Federal Courthouse will have detours due to construction activity along and adjacent to the trail from May 2 until approximately May 15, 2011. The Federal Courthouse construction contractor will be installing security bollards in two locations across this portion of the trail.
Linn County Healthy Choices Initiative Improves Safety and Accessibility of Trails
In an effort to make Linn County a healthier community for children and families, Healthy Linn Care Network and the Healthy Living Coalition established the Linn County Healthy Choices initiative in August 2010 with funding from the Iowa Department of Public Health. One of the objectives of Linn County Healthy Choices is to increase the safety and accessibility of the trails network. In order to complete this objective the Healthy Living Coalition has been collaborating with the City of Cedar Rapids and the Bicycle Advisory Committee to determine the needs to assist in improving safety and accessibility of trails. In the near future you will see bike route signs, share the road signs, small and large permanent bike racks, portable bike racks and sharrow markings in Cedar Rapids.
The Healthy Living Coalition (HLC) was formed in November 2004 in response to the 2004 Community Health Needs Assessment, which ranked obesity and related chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease) as one of the top five health concerns in the county. The HLC envisions a community that actively practices and promotes healthy nutrition and physical activity habits for the development of overall well-being.
Eco Lips Earth Day Bike Ride & Celebration
The Eco Lips Earth Day Bike Ride and Celebration starts at noon on Saturday April 23 in Sokol Park 16th Ave and A Street SW across from the Czech Museum. Noon - Sport Route 55 miles 2pm - Casual Route 17 miles 3pm - Family Route 7 miles Routes are on the Cedar River Trail Activities in Sokol Park include exhibitors from local earth-friendly organizations, games and activities for children, and music by DJ Slim Pickens from 3:00-7:00pm. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. The celebration continues after the ride at Parlor City Pub & Eatery, 1125 3rd Street in Cedar Rapids. There will live music from 8:00 p.m. to midnight, food and drink specials, and a raffle for prizes. www.earthdaybikeride.com
Fun All Day Long in 5 trail towns that really know how to celebrate!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Grand Celebration at High Trestle Trail offers you a generous slice of Iowa: Food: Three pancake breakfasts… Homemade ice cream… Free roasted marshmallows… Bake sale… Turkey tender dinner… Music: Gospel music…Jazz band… Drum Line… Band and beer tent… Dance at historic Lake Robbins Ballroom… Art and displays: Art in the Park… Art shows… Vintage bicycles… Car shows… Quilt shows… Antique Engines… Civil War Style Show & Cannon Demonstrations… Coal mine replicas Fun for all ages: Kids' bike rally… Bike rodeos… Bike & Horse Meet 'n' Greet… Unicycle club... Farm animals display Special bonus: experience one of the largest trail bridges in the world!
Souvenir Photo Opportunity at INHF booth
Come to the observation deck on the west end of the bridge, where the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation staff and volunteers will stamp your passport and take a souvenir photograph of you. Music and interpretive hikes will be offered there, too.
Get Your Passport to Fun
This free souvenir guide promotes each community’s April 30th activities plus their year-round attractions. Get your passport stamped at each trail town, the bridge and the Oasis! Keep it to remember your day and to plan future adventures. Pick up your free passport at any trailhead on April 30 while supplies last. Or order your passport by April 22 if you want it mailed to you in advance.
Your souvenir shirt helps fund trail improvements Order your High Trestle Trail T-shirt or polo, and the profit will help add benches, drinking water, rest areas and signage for trail visitors. Shirts make a great souvenir or gift. Order by April 22 if you want to wear your shirt at the Grand Celebration! Invite your friends! Let’s enjoy spring and great Iowa hospitality on this new world-class trail! The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the trail's four counties and five cities have worked together for 8 years to bring you this trail experience. Come celebrate with us! Sign up at Facebook for more trail photos and event updates. See all the latest INHF project news at www.inhf.org. 505 Fifth Avenue Suite 444 | Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2321 US
All trail counters are up
The trails are all open, the weather is improving. Time to get out on the trails. When you go past a trail counter, please record the count and send it plus date, time and location to trialcount@app-65ce8a53c1ac18be64b9c668.closte.com. The 10 counters are located at:
Cedar River Trail - McCloud Pl & Sokol Park
Cedar Lake Loop Trail
Sac and Fox Trail - East Post Rd & Cole St
Boyson Trail (Marion)
Cedar Valley Nature Trail - Boyson Rd, County Home Rd, Lafayette, & Center Point
Trail count data is published on the LCTA web.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is seeking Committee Members who are interested in a leadership role with a non-profit health foundation. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation needs your help with the Cedar Rapids CF Cycle for Life Event. The ride is scheduled late fall of 2011 and we need lots of volunteers. We are currently planning the route which includes a 20-30 mile ride and a 65+ mile ride.
The committee will help to recruit teams, obtain corporate sponsorships, fundraise, help with event day logistics, and help spread the CF story to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
Time Commitment: April to September/October
- Approximately 4-6 hours per month
- 1 hour meeting 1 time per month
- Individual work via phone & e-mail
Sub-Committees of 3+ volunteers will focus on specific needs of the cycle event which include:
- Sponsorship: Be willing to share personal contacts to local companies and help CF staff obtain event sponsorships.
- Logistics: Set-up rest stops along, event day activities, food/beverages, entertainment, etc.
- Recruitment / Fundraising: Recruit teams and individuals and help with fundraising.
- Marketing: Promotion of the Cycle event through print, TV, radio, billboard, local bike shops/clubs, and other creative media outlets; this would include helping to secure in-kind media sponsors; event promotional items such as brochures, day-of signage, etc.
- Volunteer Recruitment: Help assess the event needs and arrange volunteers for the Cycle event from set-up, during event activities, and clean-up.
If you are interested in helping the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, please contact Mary Allen at 800-FightCF Ext 854 or mallen@cff.org for more details.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the leading organization committed to finding new therapies and ultimately a cure for CF, and to improving the lives of those with the disease. The CFF has received a four star rating according to Charity Navigator based on its efficiency, innovation, and outstanding outcomes for funding research and care.
Cedar Lake Trail - closure
Cedar Rapids, IA – March 15, 2011 – The Cedar Lake Trail is closed through March 18 from Shaver Road to the point where the trail connects to the Cedar Lake Loop. The closure is due to ITC pouring new pole bases in preparation for installation of new poles and transmission lines later this year. Detour signs have been posted.