Advocacy & Safety - Senate File 117 passed in the Iowa Senate by a vote of 30 to 17.

SF117, the successor to SF34 passed, today with a vote of 30 in favor and 17 against. I guess the 17 just don't get it that in Iowa it is high time bicycles need to be legally considered vehicles of the roadways as motor vehicles are. Now all that has to happen is the House companion, HF128 needs to pass before the Governor will sign it in to law.

Here is the language of SF117;
http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&frame=1&GA=83&hbill=SF117

This law also requires that motorists stay 5' away when passing a bicycle. Before, it was left open what a safe passing distance was, which some drivers thought 6" was enough. We now must get this through the Iowa House, and then get the gov's sig on it.

This law also requires that motorists stay 5' away when passing a bicycle. Before, it was left open what a safe passing distance was, which some drivers thought 6" was enough. We now must get this through the Iowa House, and then get the gov's sig on it.

Any idea how your Senator voted? Is he republican or Democrat? All of the republicans voted against it, and one Democratic Senator voted against it, Senator Dennis H. Black. We have to be careful not to turn this into a P&R topic. If it does then it will need to be moved to that forum. I am also going to post about it there along a more political topic line.

My senator, Kibbie-Democrat, voted for it.

This law also requires that motorists stay 5' away when passing a bicycle.

Wow! Five feet!

Do you think that will be enforced?

Speedo

This law also requires that motorists stay 5' away when passing a bicycle. Before, it was left open what a safe passing distance was, which some drivers thought 6" was enough. We now must get this through the Iowa House, and then get the gov's sig on it.

Five feet actually seems a tough excessive to me. Or unnecessary anyway.

Why is this an issue for my republican senators? I don't understand why this is in any way a partisan issue. OTOH, bicycles are already legal vehicles in Iowa; this law puts it at top of mind awareness and does define safe passing clearances for bicycles.

The 5' passing clearance addition to the law applies to any vehicle passing any other vehicle or bicycle, not just bicycles. That is not realistic.

5' as a general law (from residential to freeway speeds and 1mph to 60mph speed differentials) is too much minimum for passing a bicycle, let alone any type of vehicle.

Al

Why is this an issue for my republican senators? I don't understand why this is in any way a partisan issue. OTOH, bicycles are already legal vehicles in Iowa; this law puts it at top of mind awareness and does define safe passing clearances for bicycles.

Well thus far it is the Republicans that are blocking legislation against cyclists. It was Demint, that blocked the earlier bike bill, and recently Sen. Julianne Ortman had a hard time with the concept of "single occupancy vehicles." (although the objection was based on the symbolism, not the bill itself.... http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=515193 )

Of course the Democrats are just going along with everything... :rolleyes:

But some of these legislators are pro motoring, and others are anti spend, so to say that any of this is "partisan" would be a pretty far stretch.

Why is this an issue for my republican senators? I don't understand why this is in any way a partisan issue. OTOH, bicycles are already legal vehicles in Iowa; this law puts it at top of mind awareness and does define safe passing clearances for bicycles.

Because bikes are "green" now so the Republican party is against them.

Bicycles are not vehicles in Iowa. They're granted the same rights and responsibilities but are not defined as vehicles. I don't remember if this bill fixes that glaring omission or not.

http://www.ic-cycling.org/bikelaw.html

The 5' passing clearance addition to the law applies to any vehicle passing any other vehicle or bicycle, not just bicycles. That is not realistic.

5' as a general law (from residential to freeway speeds and 1mph to 60mph speed differentials) is too much minimum for passing a bicycle, let alone any type of vehicle.

Al

Isn't it any vehicle passing another vehicle in the same lane?

Isn't it any vehicle passing another vehicle in the same lane?

I don't understand your question

I don't understand your question

If you pass in a different lane maybe it doesn't matter how close you are to the bike in the other lane. Otherwise you could ride on the far left in a two lane road and prevent anyone from legally passing you without using a shoulder.

I see the law is requiring:
10. Regulating the operation of bicycles and requiring the registration and licensing of the same, including the requirement of a registration fee.

Does this law make bike registration mandatory (sounds like it), and any idea how Iowa will treat my out of state unlicenced vehicle (just like any other?). Ragbrai could be a real revenue opportunity for the county sherriffs.