Motorists in Iowa would be required to change lanes on highways when passing a bicycle under a bill approved in the Iowa Senate. The measure was approved Wednesday on a vote of 38 to 12. It would require a vehicle passing a bike to get completely over in the adjoining lane, instead of just giving the cyclist a few feet.

Senator Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, talked about a frightening experience while riding a bicycle in rural Butler County. “Where semis, for some reason, wouldn’t get over a foot. Several times, I was blown off the road because the vehicle came so close that I could have reached out and slapped the vehicle going by me at 65 to 70 miles an hour,” Dotzler said.

Iowa City Democrat and avid cyclist Joe Bolkcom says it’s hard to understand the danger until you’ve experienced it on two wheels. “I would guess that more than half the Senate has never been on a bike on a county road, going 10 or 15 miles an hour and being passed by a car or six or eight cars in a row going 55 or 60 miles an hour,” Bolkcom said.

Supporters say the measure would reduce the number of fatal car versus bicycle crashes. Opponents question the safety of cars lining up behind a slow-moving bicycle until it’s clear enough to pass. Backers say Iowa is one of only a few states without a law on passing bicycles.

(Radio Iowa)

Students at the Atlantic Senior High School have a chance to participate in a graduation incentive program to promote volunteerism in the Atlantic Area. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ouida Hargens and Programs Director Cate Christensen spoke about the Silver Cord Program during a meeting Wednesday night, of the Atlantic School Board.

Hargens said Atlantic High School Seniors who volunteer a minimum of 200 hours throughout their high school career, will graduate with a Silver Cord, and be eligible for a $500 scholarship provided by the Chamber. Christensen said they’re excited to bring the Silver Cord Program to Atlantic because it’s important to students, the college they choose to attend, and their future as adults.

She said colleges are looking at the program as well, and, if kids are involved in volunteerism now and learn how it can build a community and grow the population, when they finish college they will want to grow their roots here and expand, making the community bigger and better. Christensen said students are eligible to earn volunteer hours during the summer of their freshman year. Students must have a total of 200 hours of volunteering by May 1st of their senior year, in order to qualify (a minimum of 50-hours per year).

The hours will be pro-rated for this, the first year of the program, and for new students. Students can sign-up for the program by picking up a packet – which includes a parent consent form – at the Chamber office, the High School Guidance Counselor’s office, or on-line.  The student will then receive a Silver Cord badge, and be able to volunteer with any local organization listed at www.AtlanticIowa.com, and/or www.volunteerspot.com.

Volunteerspot.com is being used as part of the SilverCord program to provide a list of current and past organizations seeking volunteer help. Members of the community can also go to www.volunteerspot.com., to learn where they can lend a hand. Christensen says students earn credits every time they volunteer, because the organization they are helping must fill out a verification form.

Students can also volunteer for individuals needing help, such as an elderly person needing someone to clean-up their yard, but the project needs to be pre-approved. Ouida Hargens said students and teachers were presented with the program last fall, and their focus now is to remind students about it, and recruit them as volunteers.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Boys Club of Sioux City will begin accepting girls as members after nearly 50 years of having after-school programs and other activities for boys. Sioux City Journal reports that the local chapter’s board of directors approved the change earlier this month. Girls will be able to join with the start of the summer program June 6.

The local agency will be called the Boys and Girls Clubs of Siouxland to reflect its expanded mission. Local officials say the change more closely aligns the agency with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, its national organization. Staff member Eldon Benson says that out of the more than 4,000 Boys and Girls Clubs across the nation, the Sioux City chapter was one of four that only accepted boys.