News Release

Dec. 12 , 2007

Contact:
Milly Ortiz
515-233-7733
milly.ortiz@dot.iowa.gov

Iowa Bicycle Summit to be held Jan. 18-19

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa Bicycle Coalition are sponsoring the Fourth Annual Iowa Bicycle Summit Jan. 18-19 at the Holiday Inn Downtown at Mercy Campus, 1050 Sixth Avenue in Des Moines . The gathering will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Friday's session will focus on bicycle facility design, with a workshop presented by Theo Petrisch of Sprinkle Consulting. Petrisch is nationally recognized for his extensive experience in traffic and roadway safety engineering, as well as bicycle and pedestrian facilities design, operations and safety.

On Saturday, attendees will explore issues important to bicyclists and bicycle advocates, including Bike to Work Week, the Safe Routes to School program, bicycle parking opportunities, bicycle clubs, encouraging physical activity, and media opportunities.

The Friday workshop is limited to 100 people and Saturday's session to 150 attendees. Early registration, prior to Jan. 4, is recommended. The early registration fee for the entire summit is $125 ($135 after Jan. 4). The cost to attend the Friday session only is $110 ($120 after Jan. 4). To attend Saturday only, the cost is $25 ($30 after Jan. 4). Registration includes all conference materials, lunches and breaks. A block of rooms has been reserved at the hotel for attendees at a special rate. Call 515-283-0151 or visit iowabicyclecoalition.org to reserve your room.

Saturday, Jan. 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. the Iowa Bicycle Coalition will hold its Bike Night Celebration and fundraising event at the Capitol Room, 315 E. 5th Street in Des Moines . The event will once again be hosted by Heidi Soliday, former Des Moines area television sports director.

Celebratory activities include:

• An eye-opening presentation about bicycling.
• Great food.
• An opportunity to get acquainted or reacquainted with other bicycling enthusiasts.
• An award presentation of a Trek XO-1 bicycle to one lucky Iowa Bicycle Coalition 2007 member.
• A silent auction. (Items in the silent auction range from bed and breakfast stays to bicycle accessories and more.)

Tickets for the Bike Night Celebration are $30 and can be purchased online at iowabicyclecoalition.org or by calling 515-309-2867.

For questions regarding registration or the conference agenda, go to www.iowabicyclecoalition.org or www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes.

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