2014 State Ranking
Every year, the League ranks all 50 states on their bikeability. We do this based on a mutli-faceted Bicycle Friendly State? questionnaire that is answered by each state’s Bicycle Coordinator. We look at five categories: Legislation & Enforcement, Policies & Programs, Infrastructure & Funding, Education & Encouragement, and Evaluation & Planning.
The Bicycle Friendly State? program is designed to establish best practices — we know every state has great riding opportunities, dedicated state-agency staff, determined advocates and cyclists of all stripes working to make a state great for cycling.
The League of American Bicyclists also hosts a program called The Bicycle Friendly Community Program.
The Bicycle Friendly Community Program inspires communities to improve conditions and opportunities for bicycling and provides incentives, hands-on assistance, and award recognition for communities that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle Friendly Community welcomes cyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation.
Where does Iowa Rank?
Iowa ranked 25th this year. Still barely in the top 50%, but to know we were ranked 6th place in 2011, 16th in 2012, and 21st in 2013 is concerning. Check out the complete report card below.
State Bicycle-Friendly Ranking
Where we fall short
Based on the report card, we fall short in the following categories
- Infrastructureand Funding- Ranked 1 out of 5 (2013 rank=1, 2012 rank=2)
The performance measurements for this section entail the amount of facilities and spending amounts for bicycling as well as . Other examples include the percentage of state highways with shoulders, signed bike routes, trail miles, and bicycle-related project obligation rates for available federal funding. When funding must be cut, what is one of the first things to go? Recreational funds. Until the bicycle is recognized as a form of transportation in Iowa, we are doomed with the minimum ranking here. Trails infrastructure is not enough. We see new roadways built without bicycle-friendly shoulders and our bike route marker could be much better across this fine state. Lets face it, the percentage of Federal and State funds spent on bicycling is dismal.
- Legislation and Enforcement- Ranked 3 out of 5 (2013 rank=2, 2012 rank=3)
Bicycle safety is a big player here. i.e. the basic laws and regulations that govern bicycling as well as motorist responsibilities. We've never been able to pass the 3-foot passing law like most other states have. Anti-Bike laws are still introduced in the Iowa legislature each year and bike bans are still getting passed at the city level . We still see motorists kill or injure cyclists with little to no ramifications due to loop holes, lack of law enforcement education and shoddy practices. Until we get more support by our elected officials and more enforcement buy-in from the Iowa Department of Transportation, don't expect this ranking to increase anytime soon.
- Evaluation and Planning- Ranked 2 out of 5 (2013 rank=2, 2012 rank=3)
How bicycling is incorporated into Iowa's yearly planning? How do we addresses the way bicycling is included in the highway safety plan, outdoor recreation plan and/or bicycle transportation plans? We would have expected this ranking to be a bit higher as Iowa we do see a fair amount of information on these topics, but other states must be doing it better. We believe the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition are working on these plans and expect a higher rating in 2015.
- Policies and Programs- Ranked 3 out of 5 (2013 rank=2, 2012 rank=3)
This component of the covers what state agency requirements are for accommodating cyclists, be it a Complete Streets policy, a plan or agreement for mountain bike trails, how much state agency staff time is dedicated to bicycling, and whether or not bicycling is included as part of the state’s carbon-reduction plan. Sure, we have a Complete Streets policy, but it is a massive and time consuming undertaking to promote and administer state-wide. Staff dedicated to bicycling across the state is minimal, and there are many policies on cycling across the state, but not a state-wide uniformed plan that can easily be adopted at a county and city level. This will take a high level of dedication to a core group of individuals to create this program and get it passed down to the masses for adoption.
- Education and Encouragement- Ranked 3 out of 5 (2013 rank=4, 2012 rank=4)
Our best rating in the last couple of years. This section covers the amount of bicycling education in the state for adult and youth cyclists, and individual and professional motorists. A few ways that states can educate drivers on the road about cycling, for example, are Share the Road campaigns and questions concerning cyclists’ rights in state drivers’ exams. States can encourage more and better bicycling by promoting bicycling tourism, producing bike maps and collaborating with state and local advocacy groups, along with education efforts.Some cities promote better than others. A a state-wide "Share the Road" program is in place, but campaigns to promote it are fairly minimal. Iowa is getting better at promoting Bicycle Tourism, maps, etc. and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition is steadily gaining ground each year is why our ranking increased to 3 out of 5 here.
Why does our rank keep dropping when we have such a strong bicycle community and world-class trail system?
Read the Iowa Bicycle Coalition's response to the drop in Bike Friendly State Ranking
Signs of Success
It is true. We said the same thing last year. We DO have a super-strong bicycling community. Our trail systems keep getting better and more connected, but that is not enough.We are still moving forward, but other states are moving forward faster than we are! Each year, the bar continues to rise with the ranking system as the program becomes more refined and more data becomes available for each state.
- New for 2014, Iowa has a safe passing/vulnerable road user law.
- Iowa commits funding toward bicycleinfrastructure
- The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is our active state advocacy group
- Iowa has a Share the Road Campaign
- Iowa offers bicycle education to police
League of American Bicyclists Feedback
- Adopt a law allowing transportation agencies to post 20 mph or lower speed limits under certain circumstances.
- Update state traffic laws regarding bicyclists riding “as far right as practicable” to include the four exemptions listed in the Uniform Vehicle Code.
- Adopt a law prohibiting a motorist from opening an automobile’s door unless the motorist is able to do so safely.
- Adopt a statewide Complete Streets policy. The National Complete Streets Coalition has a model state policy and a variety of other resources to ensure adoption and implementation.
- Adopt performance measures, such as mode shift or a low percentage of exempted projects, to better track and support Complete Streets/Bike Accommodation Policy compliance.
- Adopt a policy requiring state office buildings, state park and recreation facilities, and other state facilities to provide bicycle parking.
- Since arterial and collector roads are the backbone of every transportation network, it is essential to provide adequate bicycle facilities along these roads. Increase the percentage of state highway network that has paved shoulders or bike lanes greater or equal to 4 feet wide.
- The state is spending a low amount of federal funding on bicyclists and pedestrians. Adopt project prioritization criteria for federal funds that incentivize bicycle projects and accommodations.
- Create a state bicycle riders manual to ensure cyclists have a pocket guide for rules of the road, relevant laws, state bike routes, and other necessary information.
About the Ranking
The League annually ranks all fifty states for bicycle friendliness. We do this based on a multi-faceted Bicycle Friendly State (BFS) questionnaire that is answered by each state’s Bicycle Coordinator. The data collected is verified by League staff in concert with advocates in each state. States that continue to promote bicycling and improve conditions can expect to improve their scores. Our BFS annual ranking measures to the best of our knowledge the states bicycle-friendliness but does not include everything states can and should do for bicycling. It is primarily designed to establish best practices for others to follow as every state has great riding opportunities, dedicated state-agency staff, determined advocates and cyclists of all stripes working to make a great state for cycling.
What do YOU think?
We want to hear your comments and concerns about our lower ranking this year and what we can do about it. Leave your comments below.