Bicycle City Iowa

By Bicycle City Staff, Updated Tue, 05/22/2007 - 19:46

Table of Contents

Potential Bicycle City Locations
Introduction
Potential Iowa Bicycle City Locations
Alternative Energy Organizations & Companies in Iowa
Iowa Animal & Wildlife Groups
Iowa Business Organizations & Resources
Iowa Education Organizations & Resources
Iowa Environmental Groups
Iowa International Groups
Iowa State Government
Other Useful Iowa Links
Conclusion

Introduction

The eco-savvy mission of a potential Bicycle City, Iowa, development could be an ideal fit in the Hawkeye state. As the third largest wind producer in the United States, Iowa has tremendous promise for renewable electric energy production, according to research by the Iowa Energy Center at Iowa State University. Iowa also boasts ample farmlands for the production of crops necessary for alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.

The push for more eco-friendly living and transportation that led to the Bicycle City, IA, concept is already currently taking a strong hold in Iowa with backing from government support and organizations such as the Iowa Environmental Council. Iowa residents increasingly utilize both urban and regional rail systems all across the state, reports the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Potential Iowa Bicycle City Locations

Bicycle City, Iowa might be located 10 to 100 miles from the following towns and cities with abundant natural resources and beauty:

West Branch, IA

Population: 2,188
Average Annual Rainfall: 37.2 inches
Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 30, Feb. – 37, Mar. – 49, Apr. – 63, May – 75, Jun. – 84, Jul. – 88, Aug. – 85, Sep. – 78, Oct. – 66, Nov. – 48, Dec. – 34
Water: Ralston Creek
Adjacent Public Land: Herbert Hoover National Park, Scott Park, Iowa City City Park, Terrill Mill Park, Fairmeadows Park, North Market Park, Kiwanis Park
Zip Codes: 52358, 52240, 52242, 52243, 52244, 52245, 52246
Other Highlights: Just nine miles from Iowa City, West Branch sports a high median family income and the city layout is conducive to non-motorized transportation.

McGregor, IA

Population: 871
Average Annual Rainfall: 33.4 inches
Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 25, Feb. – 32, Mar. – 45, Apr. – 59, May – 71, Jun. – 81, Jul. – 84, Aug. – 82, Sep. – 74, Oct. – 62, Nov. – 45, Dec. – 31
Water: Mississippi River
Adjacent Public Land: McGregor Riverfront Park
Zip Codes: 52157, 52158, 52159
Other Highlights: McGregor is one of Iowa's most racially-diverse towns.

Sioux City, IA

Population: 85,013
Average Annual Rainfall: 25.9 inches
Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 29, Feb. – 35, Mar. – 47, Apr. – 62, May – 73, Jun. – 83, Jul. – 86, Aug. – 84, Sep. – 76, Oct. – 64, Nov. – 45, Dec. – 32
Water: Missouri River, Floyd River, Perry Creek, Bacon Creek
Adjacent Public Land: Stone State Park, Lyons Park, Macomb Park, Krumman Park, Fairmount Park, Sanford Park, Green Valley Park
Zip Codes: 51101, 51102, 51103, 51104, 51105, 51106, 51108, 51109, 51111
Other Highlights: Sioux City has a diverse population and has a high percentage of college-educated adults.

Des Moines, IA

Population: 198,682
Average Annual Rainfall: 34.7 inches
Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 29, Feb. – 36, Mar. – 40, Apr. – 61, May – 72, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 86, Aug. – 84, Sep. – 76, Oct. – 63, Nov. – 47, Dec. – 33
Water: Des Moines River, Saylorville Lake, Dean Lake, Gray’s Lake, Case Lake, Lake Easter, Walnut Creek, Raccoon River, Frink Creek
Adjacent Public Land: Walnut Woods State Park, Des Moines Botanical Garden, Grays Lake Park, Tower Park, M L King Park, Mac Rae Park, Helmick Commons, Ewing Park, Sayers Park, Sargent Park
Zip Codes: 50301, 50304, 50309, 50310, 50333, 50334, 50340, 50367, 50368, 50392, 50393, 50394, 50395, 50396, 50950, 50980, 50981
Other Highlights: Des Moines has a wide variety of museums and other cultural attractions and over 300 miles of non-motorized trails in Gray’s Lake Park.

Dubuque, IA

Population: 57,686
Average Annual Rainfall: 33.9 inches
Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 27, Feb. – 33, Mar. – 45, Apr. – 60, May – 72, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 85, Aug. – 83, Sep. – 74, Oct. – 62, Nov. – 45, Dec. – 32
Water: Mississippi River, Maquoketa River, Catfish Creek, Bee Branch
Adjacent Public Land: Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, E. B. Lyons Nature Center, Louis Murphy Park, Henderson Memorial Park, Madison Park, Dubuque Greyhound Park, McAleece Park and Recreation Complex, Eagle Point Park
Zip Codes: 52001, 52002, 52003, 52004, 52099
Other Highlights: Dubuque is an extremely affordale city with an educated population. The city bears tremendous interst in non-motorized transportation alternatives.

Waterloo, IA

Population: 68,747
Average Annual Rainfall: 33.7 inches
Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 26, Feb. – 32, Mar. – 45, Apr. – 60, May – 72, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 85, Aug. – 83, Sep. – 75, Oct. – 63, Nov. – 45, Dec. – 31
Water: Cedar River, East Lake, Martin Lake, Prescott’s Creek, Black Hawk Creek, Virden Creek
Adjacent Public Land: George Wyth State Park, Reed Park, Cedar River Park, Devonshire Park, Touchae Park, Lincoln Park, Lafayette Park, Tibbitts Park
Zip Codes: 50701, 50702, 50703, 50704, 50706, 50799
Other Highlights: Waterloo hosts the annual My Waterloo Days Festival and is home to several cultural attractions.

Milford, IA

Population: 2,474
Average Annual Rainfall: 29.5 inches
Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 22, Feb. – 29, Mar. – 41, Apr. – 57, May – 71, Jun. – 80, Jul. – 83, Aug. – 81, Sep. – 73, Oct. – 60, Nov. – 41, Dec. – 26
Water: Wokoboji Lake, Little Sioux River
Adjacent Public Land: Florence Park, Buchanan Park, Calkins Park
Zip Codes: 51351, 51355, 51331
Other Highlights: Milford has strong interest in alternative transportation options for commuters.

Indianola, IA

Population: 12,998
Average Annual Rainfall: 34.6 inches
Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 30, Feb. – 36, Mar. – 48, Apr. – 60, May – 71, Jun. – 80, Jul. – 85, Aug. – 83, Sep. – 76, Oct. – 64, Nov. – 47, Dec. – 34
Water: Des Moines River
Adjacent Public Land: Lake Ahquabi State Park, Banner Lakes at Summerset, Gull Point State Park, Sesquicentennial Park, Downey Memorial Park, McBride Field, McCord Park, Lions Park, Memorial Park, Easton Park, Moats Park
Zip Codes: 50125, 50210, 50211
Other Highlights: Indianola is home to the McVay and Summerset Trailheads.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Population: 120,758
Average Annual Rainfall: 36.6 inches
Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 28, Feb. – 35, Mar. – 47, Apr. – 62, May – 73, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 85, Aug. – 83, Sep. – 76, Oct. – 64, Nov. – 46, Dec. – 33
Water: Cedar River, Cedar Lake, Robbins Lake, Indian Creek, Prairie Creek, Cold Stream, Willow Creek
Adjacent Public Land: Reed Park, Iroquois Park, Seminole Valley Park, Tomahawk Park, Time-Check Park, Noelridge Park, Manhattan Robbins Lake Park, Green Square Park
Zip Codes: 52401, 52402, 52403, 52404, 52405, 52406, 52407, 52408, 52409, 52410, 52411, 52497, 52498, 52499
Other Highlights: Cedar Rapids is home to the Indian Creek Nature Center and several museums and other cultural attractions.

Spirit Lake, IA

Population: 4,261
Average Annual Rainfall: 29.5 inches
Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 22, Feb. – 29, Mar. – 41, Apr. – 57, May – 71, Jun. – 80, Jul. – 83, Aug. – 81, Sep. – 73, Oct. – 60, Nov. – 41, Dec. – 26
Water: Spirit Lake, Little Sioux River
Adjacent Public Land: Elinor Bedell State Park, Memorial Park, Orleans State Park, Gilbert Park, J Jahn Park
Zip Codes: 51360, 51301, 51334
Other Highlights: Spirit Lake is a growing community with lots of new housing options.

Potential Location Source List

Alternative Energy Organizations & Companies in Iowa

Iowa Animal & Wildlife Groups

Iowa Business Organizations & Resources

Iowa Education Organizations & Resources

Iowa Environmental Groups

Iowa International Groups

Iowa State Government

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Bicycle City Iowa