You’re invited: Planners’ Bike Ride and Iowa Data Bike Unveiling

The public and members of the media are invited to the Planners’ Bike Ride and unveiling of the new Iowa Data Bike.

City, county, and state planners have played an important role in the development of the hundreds of miles of paved trails throughout Iowa, including more than 600 miles in central Iowa. To celebrate these contributions and to highlight the value of active transportation during National Bike Month, the Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association organized an 11-mile bike ride where the public can ride alongside and get to know the planners working to improve their communities.

“This event is an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and experience the results of the work that city, county, and state planners contribute to the active transportation network,” said Ben Champ, APA-Iowa Chapter President.

The event starts with the unveiling of Iowa Data Bike, an initiative of Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in partnership with Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF).

WHERE: Event and bike ride start at Carney Marsh Nature Reserve, 580 SE 54^th St., Ankeny

Bike ride ends at Reclaimed Rails Brewing Company, 101 Main St. NE, Bondurant

WHEN: Saturday, May 20

2 p.m. – Iowa Data Bike Unveiling

2:15 p.m. – Depart Carney Marsh

3:30 p.m. – Arrive at Reclaimed Rails

Return to Carney Marsh at your own pace

WHO: Ben Champ, APA-Iowa

Todd Ashby, Des Moines Area MPO

Andrea Boulton, INHF

PARKING: Parking near is available at the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, 1735 NE 70^th Ave., Ankeny

RSVP: Please RSVP at https://plannersbikeride.eventbrite.com.

Media can RSVP at golson@dmampo.org.

WAIVER: Participants in the bike ride will be required to sign a waiver