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John LaPlante to lead Iowa Bicycle Summit
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition, a state-wide bicycle advocacy organization, announces John LaPlante will lead the bicycle facility design workshop at the January 29& 30, 2010 Iowa Bicycle Summit. The Coalition is also issuing a call for presentations for the annual bicycle advocacy conference to be held in Des Moines.
John LaPlante is currently Director of Traffic Engineering for T.Y.Lin International, working out of their Chicago office. Prior to joining the firm in 1992, Mr. LaPlante had been with the City of Chicago for 30 years in various transportation engineering positions, including Chief City Traffic Engineer and Acting Commissioner of the new Department of Transportation. He is involved in several national committees and was principal author of the 1999 AASHTO Bike Guide.
In addition to the technical workshop, the Iowa Bicycle Summit offers sessions for the bicycle advocates who want to improve bicycling in their communities. Persons who wish to present information should submit a brief synopsis of the presentation to the Iowa Bicycle Coalition using their website contact form at www.iowabicyclecoalition.org.
State Recreational Trails Program Grants Awarded
The Iowa Transportation Commission also approved funding for 13 recreational trails across Iowa as part of the State Recreational Trails Program. The State Recreational Trails Program was created in 1988 to establish recreational trails in Iowa for public use. This funding is available to cities, counties, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations through an annual application-based program. <See The List of Trails>
More Funding for Iowa Trails from REAP
The Natural Resources Commission approved funding for twenty recreational trails projects across Iowa last week as part of the Resource Enhancement and Protection program (REAP). Forty six applications totaling $4.3 million in grant requests were submitted for consideration during the FY10 grant round for large, medium and small cities. Available funds totaled about $2.8 million, the same as last year, and was allotted to the top thirty grants recommended by Project Review and Selection Committee. <See the List of Trails>
$1000 Safe Routes to School Grants Available
The National Center for Safe Routes to School is now accepting applications for 20 mini-grants, up to $1,000 each. The aim of the mini-grants is to use student creativity and leadership skills to increase safe walking and bicycling to school. Successful applications will include one or more of the following: student-led activities, concern for the environment, and/or promotion of physical activity. Funded activities must be part of a new or existing Safe Routes to School program. For more information, see www.saferoutesinfo.org/minigrants. The application deadline is October 30, 2009.
Biking/Walking Photo Contest - Win a trip to Tuscany
Support grassroots advocacy by submitting your best biking and walking photos to the Alliance for Biking & Walking's People Powered Movement Photo Contest and enter to win an all-expense-paid 10-day bike tour of Tuscany (airfare, meals, and bicycle included courtesy of VBT Biking and Walking Vacations) and a year's supply of CLIF BARs. Additionally, the grand prize winner will choose a local biking or walking advocacy organization to receive a $1,000 Communications Grant.
Anne Duggan is a dedicated touring cyclist, who prefers to run her errands by bike.
As Anne says, “I have a car, but I prefer to do my errands on a bicycle. I really like seeing the neighborhoods, and I never have trouble finding a parking space. I belong to the IBC because together we can make a cleaner, safer, better place to live.”
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