The City of Grimes will hold the THIRD and FINAL reading of the uniform bicycle ordinance on Tuesday, October 9 at 5:30 PM. After approval, this passage becomes law:

"Where a useable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway known as S James Street from the south Sports Complex to the south city limits of Grimes;"

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition opposes this provision because it:
(i) exceeds Grimes’ statutory authority to pass laws regulating roadways,
(ii) removes bicyclists’ ability to exercise their discretion to choose the safest route to their destination,
(iii) encourages harassment by motorists who are not aware of bicyclists’ statutory right to use the road, and
(iv) exposes Grimes to liability for negligent upkeep of the trail which would tend to further inflame public opposition to trails.

We respectfully request the Grimes City Council remove Chapter 76.12B from Ordinance #605.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

1. BICYCLISTS SHOULD CONTACT THE GRIMES CITY COUNCIL: https://www.grimesiowa.gov/OurCommunity/MayorCityCouncil.aspx

2. JOIN THE IOWA BICYCLE COALITION TODAY! http://www.iowabicyclecoalition.org/join

If you aren't a member of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, what are you waiting for? We have helped a dozen communities remove mandatory sidepath laws from their ordinances this year. A contribution of $25 or more can help the fight this bad law.

Grimes has a GREAT TRAIL, but this is a bad law. The Iowa Code plainly states bicyclists have ALL the rights and duties of the operators of vehicles [321.234]. The code also says local authorities cannot make a law that conflicts with 321.234 [321.236].

You can read the whole proposal at http://tinyurl.com/8jmypux.