Iowa Bikes Web Site

For questions concerning information on the IowaBikes website, contact Milly.Ortiz@dot.iowa.gov or phone 515-233-7733

Iowa Transportation Map for Bicyclist

2005 Iowa Transportation Map for Bicyclists is now available.

To encourage safe bicycle transportation, the Iowa Department of Transportation has published its Iowa Transportation Map for Bicyclists. This statewide map (printed in April 2005) shows hundreds of miles of bike trails that pass through woodlands, prairies and parks -- all highlighting the beauty of Iowa's landscapes. In addition to the off-road trails, traffic levels are indicated on all paved roadways so bicyclists can choose the road routes that match their level of riding experience.

Click here to order the map

Click here to view map on-line

BIKE HELMETS - Don't hit the road without one.

Bicycle Safety materials are available from the Iowa Department of Transportation at no cost to the public. These materials include a comprehensive 5-lesson safety program, bicycle helmet video, bicycle rodeo guide, and a variety of items like magnets, spoke sliders, bookmarks, stickers, posters, reflective dots, safety tips for sharing the road, and etiquette for using Iowa’s off-road trails. The bicycle safety program is excellent for schools, police departments, parks and recreation departments, boys’ and girls’ clubs, boy scouts, girl scouts and anyone interested in promoting safe bicycling. Free Bicycle Safety Information - Order Form

Bicycle Safety Contact Person:
Kathy Ridnour
Kathy.Ridnour@dot.iowa.gov
Phone:515-239-1713 Fax: 515-233-7857

IOWA'S
MAJOR
TRAILS

Iowa has more than 1,000 miles of beautiful trails available for a variety of uses including bicycling, hiking/running, skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and photography/nature study. Click here for information about Iowa's major trails.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation logo

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation provides several helpful tools to make your trail experience more enjoyable.

Iowa Bicycle Trails

Free Trail List
Links to Iowa Trails
Free Nature and Trails Brochure
INHF Trail Guide

Trails
Funding

There are three Iowa DOT grant programs which provide funding for trails development - Federal Recreational Trails Program, State Recreational Trails Program, and Federal Transportation Enhancement Program.

Click here for
Trails Funding Guide

Paved Shoulder
and Rumble
Strip Guidelines

The Iowa Department of Transportation officially began implementation of its paved shoulder and rumble strip guidelines on July 1, 2004.

The Mississippi River Trail (MRT) is a national millennium trail extending from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico and includes more than 300 miles in Iowa. During the 2001 Iowa Legislative session, $50,000 was allocated to conduct a location study for the Iowa portion of the MRT. The Iowa Department of Transportation contracted with the Center for Transportation Research and Education at Iowa State University to complete the study. An in-depth analysis was done to find the safest, most cost-effective route including both on-road and off-road trails.

Additionally, in 2005, Clinton County and the Cities of Clinton and Camanche contracted with Stanley Consultants to conduct a more detailed MRT route feasibility study within Clinton County.

Iowa's Mississippi
River Trail (MRT) Plan
2003

Clinton County MRT
Route Feasibility Study - 2005
(56.3 MB)

The Iowa Department of Transportation has updated the1990 Iowa Statewide Recreational Trails Plan. The new document, Iowa Trails 2000, was developed to guide the future development of regional, statewide and national trail corridors of significance and was completed in the summer of 2000.

For a copy of the CD ROM,
contact Milly Ortiz.
515-233-7733
milly.ortiz@dot.iowa.gov

2008 Iowa Bicycle Summit:

Friday, Jan. 18, 2008 and Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008
8:30am - 4:30pm
Holiday Inn Downtown at Mercy Campus
1050 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50314

REGISTRATION and AGENDA

2007 Iowa Bicycle Summit

2006 Iowa Bicycle Summit

2005 Iowa Bicycle Summit