A dozen Des Moines area bike-shop owners are scheduled to speak on the economic impact of cycling on their businesses and local economies at the upcoming Iowa Bicycle Coalition Bike Banquet on Saturday. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition will release the results of its highly-anticipated statewide Economic and Health Impacts of Cycling and Trails Study at the event. The study showcases how cycling has become a top state industry, providing economic and health data, expert analysis, and insights on how cycling and trails have dramatically grown Iowa’s economy since 2012. A prior study at that time showed the economic impact of cycling around $364 million statewide.
The Coalition plans to utilize this data to demonstrate how cycling and trails help state leaders attract and retain talent, improve quality of life for residents, support a strong workforce in key sectors of the economy, support rural revitalization, and build connected communities across the state. The study features five communities, including the City of Jefferson and Greene County, Mason City, Marshalltown, Wabash Trace Nature Trail communities, and Decorah.
Leaders from each community will receive an award on stage as part of the program and will also be available for an interview.
Olympic cyclist Nelson Vails, the first African American to win an Olympic medal in the sport, will also be joining the event as the keynote speaker.Other dignitaries, listed below, will be speaking throughout the program.
Members of the media are invited to hear remarks and conduct one-on-one interviews with speakers as time permits.RSVP required herefor a free press pass.
What:Iowa Bicycle CoalitionBike Banquet
When:Saturday, January 25, 3-6PM
Where: Iowa Events Center, 730 3rd Street Des Moines, Iowa, 50309 | Hall B
Speakers:
- Nelson Vails, Olympic Medalist in Cycling
- Hon. Brenna Bird, Iowa Attorney General
- Dr Richard Deming, Medical Director, MercyOne Center Center
- Ken Bryan, Senior Strategist for External Relations, Rails to Trails Conservancy
- Kittie Weston-Knauer, Oldest BMX racer in the country, 80/35 BMX
- Rob Moore, Data Analyst/Vice President, Gross National Happiness USA
- Luke Hoffman, Executive Director, Iowa Bicycle Coalition
Bike Retailer and Shop Owners, Bike Club President, and IEDA Rep:
- Derek Stepanek, Northtowne Cycling and Fitness
- Matt Wayne, Wayne’s Ski and Cycle
- Chad Onken, ISEC Bike Shop
- Greg Harper, Harper’s Cycling and Fitness
- Bif Ridgway, Bike World
- Scott Sumpter, BIKE IOWA
- TJ Tollakson, Diamond Bikes
- Audrey Wiedemeier, Iowa City Bike Library
- Jeremy Lewis, Street Collective
- Amy Zeigler, Iowa Economic Development Authority
- Rose Farver, Velorosa Cycling Team
- Ben Gonnerman, Shimano
About the Iowa Bicycle Coalition
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is a statewide non-profit organization that advocates for safe, enjoyable, and accessible bicycling in Iowa through education, events, better policy, and building a community of supporters. Our vision is that bicycling in Iowa is safe, enjoyable, and accessible for all. You can learn more atIowabicyclecoalition.org.