On Feb 3rd 2016, Iowa Senator Bill Dotzler (D-31) has filed SF2076,
the “Change Lanes to Pass Bicycles” bill. The law would require motor
vehicles to use the opposite side of the road or an adjacent travel lane
to pass people on bicycles. It also recognizes that paved shoulders and
bike lanes are adjacent travel lanes, and prohibits motorists from
steering unreasonable close to people riding bicycles in those lanes.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition launched an "Action Alert" on their Legislation page asking cyclists to send letter of support to their legislators and the Iowa Senate Transportation Committee.
Here is our email..
Subject: SF2076 - “Change Lanes to Pass Bicycles” bill.
Dear Iowa Senate Transportation Committee,
Iowa is one of only 13 states that does not have a specific law for passing a bicyclist. 37 states have some sort of a safe passing statute. This is a law that is easy to enforce and follow.
As
of May 2015, there were 73 bicyclist-involved crashes and AND 319
crashes in 2014. (Per IDOT Traffic and Safety Office statistics) 50% of
fatal bicycle crashes in the past 10 years are from automobile hitting
cyclists from behind. How many could be prevented
Iowa
is such a bicycle-friendly state. RAGBRAI is the grand-daddy of all
state bicycle tours and it's popularity as well as the thousand of
bicycle-related events each year in Iowa have pumped millions and
millions of dollars in to the Iowa economy. Let's make riding your
bicycle in Iowa safer.
Iowa's Ride of Silence List - BIKEIOWA has coordinated the Ride of Silence for Iowa for 11 years. Each year we ride in silence for those who have been been injured or killed while riding Iowa's roadways. We have seen some horrific deaths that could have been prevented with a law like SF2076. http://www.bikeiowa.com/RideOfSilence
States with Statutes Regarding Motorists Passing Bicyclists
http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/safely-passing-bicyclists.aspx
Please pass SF2076 for the current and future cycling generations of this fine state.
Thanks for your consideration.
MORE ABOUT SF2076