Street Collective Empowers Voters to Shape the Future of Des Moines Transportation
The Street Collective has once again stepped up for the people of Des Moines — helping residents see, understand, and shape how our city moves. With the 2025 City Council election just weeks away, they’ve launched a transportation-focused voter guide that brings clarity to an often complex conversation: the future of our sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transit.
Their Council Election page compiles candidate responses side-by-side on key topics — from school-zone safety to DART funding — offering a rare, transparent look at where candidates agree, where they differ, and what that means for the people who walk, roll, ride, or drive through our neighborhoods every day.
It’s a powerful example of advocacy in action — nonpartisan, community-driven, and deeply local. The Street Collective isn’t endorsing anyone; they’re empowering everyone. Because when informed voters show up, our streets get safer, smarter, and stronger for all.
Read the full survey and see how your candidates stack up ? dsmstreetcollective.org/election2025
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From Jeremy at the Street Collective:
Let’s Talk Streets — and Votes
In three weeks (Nov 4th 2025), Des Moines residents have an opportunity to shape how our city moves, grows, and connects. The Street Collective invited all Des Moines City Council candidates
to respond to a transportation-focused survey: on topics like school-zone safety, protected bike lanes, sidewalk gaps, and DART funding.
As part of our council engagement effort, we rode with almost every City Council candidate to get a firsthand look at our sidewalks, bike lanes, and street crossings — and to talk about what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next for Des Moines.
We do not endorse any candidate; our goal is informing and engaging the public.
What we found:
- There is broad consensus on the goal of safer streets, better sidewalks, and more reliable transit — but real differences emerge in how fast to act, which priorities to fund first, and how to pay for it.
- Some candidates emphasize rapid expansion of protected bike lanes and aggressive pedestrian infrastructure.
- Others lean more toward infrastructure maintenance, gradual progress, and fiscal caution.
- All agree that DART will play a key role — though the extent, approach, and funding models vary.
- What trade-offs are they willing to accept — between speed and cost, ambition and feasibility?
- Which proposals would have meaningful impact in your neighborhood (e.g. school crossings, sidewalk fill-ins, transit access)?
- Do the candidate’s priorities align with your vision for safer, more connected streets?
However you get around — by foot, bike, bus or car — your vote helps decide what kind of city we all share. Here's a few tips for Election Day: