Solar Bike Tour Set for Waterloo to Waverly Run

Mon September 17 2007
Posted Sep 17, 2007
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WATERLOO --- A one-day ride in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls-Waverly area this week will bring fresh attention to the possibilities of renewable energy in the Midwest. On Saturday, the 2007 Green Bike Tour will demonstrate that renewable energy strengthens rural economies and secures America's energy future. Riders will include farmers, elected officials, energy producers, and renewable energy policy activists. "This is our sixth Green Bike Tour," said organizer David Osterberg, executive director of the nonpartisan Iowa Policy Project (IPP). "Each time we've done it --- whether here in the American Midwest or in Europe --- we have helped people think about their own living habits and how together we can make a difference," he said. "We help Iowans to see that while global climate change is real and presents new challenges to us, we can meet those challenges, and do so in a way in which we can benefit economically." One attraction of the tour is the use of solar-powered bicycles --- one example of the practical use of renewable energy. The tour begins Saturday morning at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo and winds up at Wartburg College in Waverly. The schedule and the actual route of the tour are below. Material also is available on the Web at www.greenbiketour.blogspot.com. To participate, call the IPP office at (319) 338-0773, or e-mail Kristi Lohmeier at klohmeier@iowapolicyproject.org. Here is a schedule of the tour: --- 8 a.m.: Hawkeye Community College --- Kickoff event with speakers. --- 10 a.m.: Arrive at UNI-CEEE --- Speakers: potential for more renewable energy on UNI campus; global warming; wind power in Iowa. --- Afternoon: Arrive at Waverly Light & Power --- Discuss activities at WLP --- 2 p.m.: Arrive at Wartburg College --- Report on new community wind turbine; rally for renewable energy. For updates, visit: www.greenbiketour.blogspot.com or www.greenbike.org