Photo by jhiner, Flickr.
Listen to this week’s radio segment here or read the transcript below. This week’s episode focuses on the benefits of cycling in Iowa.
With the worst of winter behind us, consider using a bike as a means of transportation and recreation.
This is the Iowa Environmental Focus.
Most Iowans are familiar with RAGBRAI, but few know of our state’s great cycling options for the other 51 weeks during the year. CycleCentralIowa.com lets users search over 1,200 miles of trails in Iowa by selecting categories like surface, nearby towns, nearby attractions and length of ride.
Cycling also greatly reduces the amount of greenhouse gas entering the atmosphere when chosen as an alternative to driving. According to an online calculator from bikemetro.com, a modern car that gets 22 miles per gallon releases more than 4.5 lbs of carbon dioxide during a 5-mile trip.
Biking also benefits Iowa’s economy. A recent study by the University of Northern Iowa found that $364.8 million comes through cycling annually through tourism, races, retail and repairs. An additional $73.9 million is saved in health care costs.
For more information, visit IowaEnvironmentalFocus.org.
I’m Jerry Schnoor from the UI Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research.
Thank You.
