Bike passing, light bill emerges in Iowa House

Source: <a id="MainContent_MainColumnContentPlaceHolder_hlSource" href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/21/bike-passing-light-bill-emerges-iowa-house/97656632/" target="_blank">Des Moines Register
Author: <a id="MainContent_MainColumnContentPlaceHolder_hlAuthorBottom" href="mailto:melmer@dmreg.com">MacKenzie Elmer
Posted By: <a id="MainContent_MainColumnContentPlaceHolder_hlPostedBy" href="/Profile/bikeiowajess">bikeiowajess

MacKenzie Elmer
Tue February 21 2017
Posted Feb 25, 2017
12,929

Bikes would be required to have front and rear lights at all times on most roads and motorists must change lanes when passing a cyclist under a bill introduced in the Iowa House on Monday.

House Study Bill 130 would require front and rear bike lights at all times when cyclists are riding on county roads and state highways. Cyclists would have 72 hours to replace or repair their lamp on their first violation, which is not new.

Current law requires bicyclists have a front light from sunset to sunrise and visible at a distance of 300 feet. Cyclists also can choose between a rear reflector or a red rear light as the law stands now.

Rep. John Wills of Spirit Lake had introduced legislation that would require bicycles carry a rear lamp and a slow-moving traffic flag. There is no flag requirement in House Study Bill 130.

The bill also reintroduces legislation requiring motorists move to another lane when passing a bicycle, except for cyclists riding on a paved shoulder or designated bike lane.

Sixty-seven percent of Iowans polled said they supported a safe-passing requirement approved by the Democrat-controlled Iowa Senate last year.