See also: 2008 RAGBRAI names host cities (none are in Crawford County)
This week's resolution to ban RAGBRAI bike rides from Crawford County's roads could set a precedent that might be felt across Iowa.
Supervisors at a couple of surrounding counties say they'll look at banning the ride, and the issue is expected to come up at the November meeting of the Iowa State Association of Counties.
The board chairman at neighboring Monona County told a local newspaper that he wouldn't be surprised if all of Iowa's other 98 counties passed similar measures, but others said they wouldn't support such a measure. The state Legislature might have to get involved to clarify liability for these types of events.
The ban
The RAGBRAI ban was enacted in Crawford County, population 17,000, after it agreed to pay a $350,000 settlement (actually $5,000 after insurance) in a lawsuit that alleged the county was negligent in not properly maintaining a road where RAGBRAI cyclist died when he fell in 2004. (See: Iowa county settles lawsuit; ban RAGBRAI bike ride, Oct. 10, 2007)
While not admitting wrongdoing, the Crawford County said it could not be expected to maintain all the county's roads to bicycle standards. According to the lawsuit, the cyclist fell when his bicycle tire got caught in a crack along the center of the road. Several other cyclists fell in the area that same day.
Reaction at the Register
RAGBRAI officials are concerned about a precedent, reports the Des Moines Register, organizer and sponsor of the past 35 Register Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa tours. VP of marketing Susan Patterson Plank said:
RAGBRAI officials are deeply concerned by the supervisors’ actions “not only because of its potential impact on riders, but what it means for all events in their county, like parades, fundraising events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure or the Walk to D’feet ALS, both which took place this past weekend in Des Moines.”
“RAGBRAI prefers to go where we are wanted, but we bristle at the thought that any government can stop a group of people from assembling — whether that is for a candlelight march in prayer, to raise money or to ride bikes.”
Possible solution
David Vestal, general counsel for the Iowa State Association of Counties, told The Daily Nonpareil of Council Bluffs (which reported other counties might consider the issue) that a waiver that riders must sign should protect the counties from liability.
In 2006, the waiver was changed to exempt from liability “persons and entities that provide event recommendations, advice or services relating to matters such as route selection or maintenance, risk management, safety and first aid.”
While Vestal says that should protect the counties, not all riders sign the waiver.
Vestal and others said the issue might have to be worked out by the state Legislature.
(BTW, registration for RAGBRAI XXXVI opens Nov. 15. The ride is July 20-26, 2008.)
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