Bike safety is always top of mind for Luke Hoffman, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition — but especially after he was hit by a driver during RAGBRAI's pre-ride inspection.
Why it matters: Iowa roads have become less safe for everyone, including drivers, since 2020. Pedestrians and cyclists, however, have seen the worst safety statistics with the Des Moines metro reporting a five-year high in serious injuries and fatalities in 2022.
Context: RAGBRAI's route inspection team rides the same roads as the July event to identify any "unsafe traffic patterns" and hazards that may need to be fixed beforehand, according to BikeIowa, a local cycling resource.
State of play: While the pre-ride group was biking to Knoxville on June 6, a driver hit Hoffman from behind on G76, according to records obtained by Axios from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
- The driver, who didn't change lanes to pass Hoffman, drove too close and hit his shoulder with his side mirror, he tells Axios.
- Hoffman says the driver pulled over and explained he was distracted by a dog in his vehicle. Hoffman did not press charges and did not sustain injuries beyond serious bruising.
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Crash Date: June 6th 2024