Bikes and Voting, Together at Last! (AKA 2 Calls to Action)
By Sean Flaherty and Janelle Rettig

In the wake of last weekend's extensive piece on electronic voting issues in the NewYork Times Magazine, MoveOn is circulating a petition with the simplest of messages: we need paper ballots and routine hand audits by November 2008. Please take a moment to sign, and pass it on:

http://pol.moveon.org/paper2008/o.pl?id=11873-7667739-DVYvNF&t=3

The petition will be delivered to local, state, and federal officials.

Best regards,
Sean Flaherty
Co-Chair, Iowans for Voting Integrity
www.IowansForVotingIntegrity.org
 
The local government reaction to the Crawford County Bicycle accident has been a dramatic overreaction.  From banning all organized rides to now wanting blanket immunity, counties across the state are asking the state legislature to take action.  This on-line petition is only one tool to counter the quest to ban bicycles or prohibit cyclists from seeking court rulings even in the most irresponsible cases of poor design or poor maintenance.
 
 
I don't think cyclists should overuse the courts, but one case in over 36 years doesn't seem like enough to justify this reaction from counties.  Please consider signing the petition and asking your friends to do the same.  This is just one of many things the Iowa Bicycle Coalition is doing to project cyclists rights and make cycling safer and better in Iowa.
 
Thanks,
 
Janelle Rettig