In the next several days, the Iowa House will debate Senate File 424. This bill strikes the “or red reflector” portion of the law that requires lights for riding a bicycle at night. We like lights and we wish more people would choose to ride with lights.

If the law is going to require people riding bicycles at night to have some extra responsibility, wouldn’t it be fair if motorists had the responsibility to change lanes to pass bicycles?

Rep. Kressig has filed amendment H1187. It is already in the code that motorists have to pass on the opposite side of the road and cannot drive in more than one lane.

WE NEED YOU TO ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO SUPPORT HOUSE AMENDMENT H1187 MAKE IT CLEAR TO CHANGE LANES TO PASS BICYCLES.

Send one simple email to your Iowa Representative. We have listed the House members below. Pick out your Representative and send an email. If you are not sure who your representative is, click for a quick search.

Some great points to cover in your email:

• 84% of bicycle crashes happen during the daytime.

• In 2013, 2% (7 crashes) occurred because the person wasn’t visible. In 2014, that number was zero.

• 50% of bicycle/motor vehicle crashes are at non-intersections

• One of the top causes of bicycle/motor vehicle crashes is failure of drivers to yield, according to Iowa DOT traffic safety.

• DOT has already changed drivers manual to reflect change lanes to pass a bicycle.

• Change Lanes to ?P?ass is easier to enforce, teach, and learn.

• Cars cannot legally split lanes, but often do at the peril of bicyclists.

• We believe clear statutory language on safe passing would help reduce the 118 bicycle/vehicle collisions that occurred in 2014.

• We believe when safe passing laws are taught in drivers education and have solid enforcement, the laws can save lives of people who ride bicycles.

We urge you to adopt H1187 and pass Senate File 424 with language that reflects "changing lanes to pass bicycles."