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The Ride of Silence Is Anything But Silent

The Ride of Silence isn’t quiet - it’s powerful. It’s emotional. And after 21 years in Des Moines, we’ve proven its impact.

This annual ride honors those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. We ride to remember - and we ride to raise awareness among motorists, elected officials, and law enforcement that cyclists have every legal right to be on the road. This ride reminds the world that cyclists are not disposable.

Why We Still Ride

1. Cyclists deserve safe roads.
2. Drivers must share the road.
3. Lawmakers must do more.

Despite Iowa’s reputation as a bike-friendly state, we are still one of just five states without a specific safe passing law. Since 1973, 45 other states have adopted some version of a “safe distance passing” law. Iowa has not. That must change.

Meanwhile, distracted and impaired driving continues to rise. Technology in our pockets - and on our wrists and dashboards - has made our roads more dangerous than ever.

A Global Movement

On Wednesday night, over 185 Ride of Silence events took place worldwide -

• 38 U.S. states
• 10 countries
• 4 continents
• 0 words spoken
• Countless memories

Here in Iowa, six communities hosted their own Ride of Silence:
Cedar Falls | Cedar Rapids | Charles City | Des Moines | Mason City | Sioux City

THANK YOU to all who ride, support, and remember.

The List

Since the last Ride of Silence, 44 Iowa cyclists have been added to our list - 6 killed and 38 injured while simply riding their bikes.

But we know the real number is much higher.

Why only 44? Because that's all we can confirm. Many crashes never make the news. Some don’t result in police reports. Victim names are often withheld for privacy. Our list is pieced together from news articles, social media, Iowa State Patrol logs, and tips from people like you.

Non-life-threatening crashes barely register as “news” anymore. Reporter staffing is down. Small local newspapers are disappearing. And even when we try to follow up to see if a driver was charged, answers are often delayed—or never come at all.

According to Iowa DOT, 395 bike/motor vehicle crashes occurred in Iowa since May 2024. But that number excludes bicycle vs. pedestrian crashes, solo bike wrecks, and cyclist-on-cyclist collisions.

BIKEIOWA estimates 800–1,000 bike/car crashes per year in Iowa.

So tonight, we’re not just riding for 43 names.
We’re riding for thousands.

WHO WE ARE RIDING FOR

Special mentions

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Other Updates & Followups

Stop Object Blaming

We continue to work with media outlets and public safety communicators to address the harmful practice of object blaming - when headlines or reports shift responsibility from the person at fault to an inanimate object.

You’ve seen it:

• “Cyclist killed by SUV”
• “Pickup strikes rider”
• “Car crosses center line, kills two”

These phrases subtly erase the human responsibility behind the crash. A vehicle doesn’t make decisions - a driver does. Just like we wouldn’t say “a gun killed a person” instead of “a person shot someone”, we shouldn't say “a car killed a cyclist” when a driver’s actions caused a fatal crash.

Words matter. They shape public perception, policy decisions, and how much urgency our communities place on traffic safety and accountability.

What can you do?
If you see object blaming in a news report or post, take a moment to politely contact the source - whether it’s a journalist, editor, or organization. Let them know how important it is to use language that reflects human agency and responsibility.

We all play a role in shifting the narrative toward a culture that values accountability, clarity, and safety. Every correction is a step forward.

2026 Ride of Silence

Next year will be the 22nd year for the Ride of Silence in Des Moines, It will be held on May 20th 2026. Event Details

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Make Change. Get Involved.

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition continues to push for a safe passing law in Iowa - but change won’t happen without your help. The cross-walk bill was passed in 2024 and the Hands-Free Law passed in 2025. How about a safe-passing law in 2026?

Passing legislation in a rural-heavy state like ours isn’t easy. That’s why your voice matters. When the time comes to contact your legislators, we need you to speak up. It takes all of us to make roads safer for cyclists.

Become a Legislative District Leader

Want to make a bigger impact? Join the Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s Legislative District Leader Program.

As a district leader, you’ll:

• Build relationships with your local legislators

• Attend forums and schedule one-on-one meetings

• Share critical action alerts and petitions with your riding network

• Help shape bike-friendly policy in your community

Most activity happens in the fall after the November election and continues during the legislative session (January-May). But advocacy can happen year-round - and you can be the one to lead it. Find Out More