| Hoffman Will Propose Bill To Shield Counties From RAGBRAI Liability
As the Legislature gets to work, in Des Moines, RAGBRAI officials, county supervisors and bike riders will be watching to see if legislation emerges that could help shape the future of Iowa's great bicycle ride. One western Iowa lawmaker says he'll propose a bill that would provide "immunity" for counties where riders roll. "I think its important we get this immunity for counties," said Rep. Clarence Hoffman, (R) Charter Oak. Hoffman represents the corner of Crawford County where Kirk Ullrich died almost four years ago. He lost control of his bike after it hit a crack in a county road. His widow sued. And, last fall, she settled with Crawford County for $355,000 dollars. County supervisors then passed a resolution banning the annual bicycle ride from its roads. "If we have to fix our roads, and get them into the shape, so that they're gonna be good for bicycles in every situation, then the money for "Time 21" needs to be doubled," Hoffman said.
Cites rules for bicyclists when riding on sidewalks
(a) A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. (b) A person shall not ride a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, where such use of bicycles is prohibited by official traffic-control devices. (c) A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances. If riding on sidewalks was illegal, these rules would be not only unnecessary but also illogical. Why have rules that govern how to carry out an illegal activity? Theodore J.
Tournament/Camp Schedule
AUG. 18 -- O'Neil Pass/Dan Crain Memorial Road Race. Starts at Spearfish City Park, travels up O'Neil Pass and finishes on Highway 14A near the Chophouse Restaurant. Entry is $20, $10 for students. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at Spearfish City Park. Race starts at 9 a.m. For more information, call Betsy Cordes at 642-4277.SEPT. 8 — Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter benefit ride. Departs at 7:30 a.m. from the Sioux Valley Bicycles & Fitness store in Brookings. Ride travels 17 miles to Schade Vineyard. For more information, call Sherry Oswald at 692-5022.OCT. 13 — Breat Cancer Research Foundation benefit ride. Two rides, one of 10 miles and another 25 miles in length. For more information, call Sherry Oswald at 692-5022.GolfAUG. 10 — Fellowship of Christian Athletes Four-Person Scramble. At Hart Ranch G.C., Rapid City.
Peak-hour bike ban plan for trains sparks outcry
EXCLUSIVE: BIKES will be banned on all trains at peak hour from tomorrow, sparking an outcry from cyclists and public transport groups. The new rule, hidden in a State Government document, has been posted on the Metlink website. The Government has not announced the rule despite its publication in the Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual. And the Herald Sun understands the city's private rail operator, Connex, has not been notified of the change. The rule flies in the face of the Government's push for transport to be more environmentally sustainable. Just last week VicRoads, the Government body responsible for the road network, urged motorists to get out of their cars and on to bikes to take the pressure off the city's freeways. The new ticketing manual, effective from January 1, states "bicycles will not be permitted on services travelling through Zone 1 that; arrive in Melbourne between 7am and 9am and; depart Melbourne between 4pm and 7pm".
Cyclist, truck collide near OHSU
So are all of you going to "git yer guns" out and shoot all the cyclists you see? Cars and vehicles can coexists, believe it or not, And if you argue that liberalism is a mental disorder then you have to say that so is conservatism. And you are picking one example of a person who obviously made the mistakes and caused the accident, and applying it to all cyclists. There are just as many if not MORE moron divers out there. Yes there are increased risks riding bikes, just like there are increased risks riding motorcycles, but I don't hear any of you calling to get them off the road too. Motorcycles are most often in accidents because drivers of cars and trucks don't see them, the same reasons as bicycles. Face it, the real issue is that you just want the roads all to yourselves.
The changing cycle
India may be the second largest producer of bicycles in the world but precious little has been done to promote the cause of cycling in the country. Shveta Pathak reports that the cycle industry is today churning out beauties that could easily make a style statement but the road ahead is rough for the two-wheeled bikes. And, the status-conscious still refuse to adopt them as a mode of transport. DO you remember the tinkle of the bell as daakiya Rajesh Khanna delivers the post in the song Daakiya daak laya? Or, the very urbane Aamir Khan making your breath stop for a while as he competes for the famous race in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander? If you do, you mustnt have forgotten the spirit lent to these moments by the good old bicycle. India is the largest cycle manufacturer in the world after China.
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