Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker stresses the importance of safety and caution during RAGBRAI

This is the second of a series of monthly informational installments submitted by Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker.

As most residents of Allamakee County know, the Des Moines Register’s RAGBRAI XLV bike ride is coming to the county Friday 28 July – Saturday 29 July.  As you can imagine, with some 10,000 plus bike riders coming to the county along with the support vehicles that follow along, there will be a “slight” travel and safety impact on the roads they will be using and within the towns they will be passing through and staying in.  Therefore, I wanted to address several safety issues related to RAGBRAI to include the bike route and riders, support vehicles, the community impacts and emergency shelter and response plans being prepared for their safety.  My focus for this first RAGBRAI article will be the bike route and its impact on our rural roadway network with the other topics covered in future publications.

The official RAGBRAI bike routes in Allamakee County have been established and these are the approved roads the riders are supposed to use while making their way through the area.  Please understand some may decide to use other routes, but these would be the exception and against the guidance provided by Des Moines RAGBRAI.  The official bike route will be marked and has official ride hours established to help with rider safety and movement.  These times are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; though be prepared to see some bikes on the routes earlier or later than this.  

Finally, we would ask that you please have patience and understanding as the bikes make their way through the county; this not only helps in keeping the bike riders safe, but you also.  So in closing, also consider this as a chance for Allamakee County to show people from all over the United States and even from other countries, our beautiful scenery and local hospitality.

Read the full article in the July 12 edition of the Postville Herald.

The Postville Herald

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