MASON CITY, IA- A bill to make riding a bike safer in Iowa isn't peddling any further to passing at the statehouse.
"the bicycle safety bill" needed to cruise through another committee and the house before becoming law, but KIMT is learning it didn't make to through the process.
It's called the bicycle safety and responsibilities bill, and it's main goal is to make the road a safer place...especially for bicyclist.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition says in the last five years there have been 27 deaths between motor vehicles and bikes.
So this bill is looking to make state laws a little tougher so that number hopefully doesn't get any higher.
Robin Bennett has biked for most of his life and he says sometimes the roads are a little dangerous.
Bennett said, "occasionally I've had some where there some pretty close drive bys where the mirror almost hit me in the shoulder."
State leaders are considering "A Bicycle Safety Bill" in an effort to reduce those close calls. It requires folks on bikes to obey traffic signs and signals. The law also makes it illegal to drive too close or throw objects at those riders.
Motor vehicles must leave a 5 foot margin between them and any biker.
Bennett said, "by giving us extra room we're able to navigate around anything that might be in the road also and still have room for them to get around."
But not everyone supports the plan, Bicycle Coalition Leaders say the Ag and Trucking industry think the five feet rule is too much.
They also say some drivers aren't willing to share the road
Iowa Bicycle Coalition Board Member Steve Schurtz said, "they just think they don't have any right to be there and they feel that they have a bigger vehicle that weighs more that they have rights."
Bennett thinks it needs to be a compromise
Bennett said, "The roads are payed by our tax dollars whether your riding a bike, car, unicycle or motorcycles."
There's just one main goal in mind.
Schurtz said, "it will bring awareness to drivers that there is a problem and there can be consequences it wont completely eliminate accidents people can break laws but it will make motorists more aware."
Now since the bill isn't going any further this year does create some issues.
The Biking Coalition says each bill is given two years to become law and that means this bill will now have to be re-worked a little and have to pass the senate again.
The coalition says they will continue and try to make the roads safer for bike riders. Bennett says that there are still things every rider can do to keep safe. They include wearing bright clothing and following road signs.
