U-Heights in the News

I don't know if you saw the story in the Des Moines Sunday Register today (8/30/15) but we got a mention in a front page story (albeit on page 10 in the continuation).

Iowa, Des Moines Falling Behind Bike Friendlier U.S.

The story went on to talk about the League of American Cyclists' designation of cities bike friendliness on a descending level from Platinum, Silver and Bronze. The gist of the story was that Des Moines was a bronze level city in major part due to their not doing more to encourage bike commuting. They specifically talk about not having bike lanes as well as no city staff dedicated to bike issues. 

What struck me was the listing of Iowa cities who are recognized, I didn't realize there are only 5 communities in Iowa that have been recognized: Iowa City, silver; Cedar Falls, Bronze; Cedar Rapids, Bronze; Des Moines, Bronze; University Heights, Bronze.

We are the smallest population community in the nation recognized by the League! 

Here is the full list of recognized cities.

In discussing what it would take to move Des Moines to Silver it was mentioned one major factor was that only .2% (two-tenths of 1 per cent) of workers in Des Moines bike commute. Most Silver level cities have at least a 3.5% bike commuters. We in U-Heights have 15% bike commuting workers, and that does NOT count full-time students. We also have 28% workers walking.

If we as a community were to explore some relatively simple things to improve bike facilities in town:

Covered bike parking at One University Place

Melrose Ave. bike lanes

Bike Boulevards on Koser or Grand Avenes

We could easily move to Silver, Gold or even Platinum levels, depending on what we implement. Especially since that we have some of the very highest bike commuter levels in the nation. I think this should be something to seriously consider.