Advocacy & Safety - Iowa Bike safety bill likely dead this year, lawmaker says

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090323/NEWS/90323020/-1/NEWS04

Anybody from Iowa, this came across my Twitter feed thanks to @BikingBis.

It's sad that some people fear defining a safe passing distance in law will, "create liability issues when you give a bicyclist full lane privileges". Maybe next year for Iowa??

Bikes normally hug the right side of the road, Quirk said. If, say, a truck pulling a heavy load crests a hill, the driver would have little time to react to a bike in the center of lane, he said.



So they're worried about unsafe truck drivers who aren't responsible for their vehicle. Shall we illegalize congestion and stopped traffic as well?

I'm pretty shocked by the stories where the vehicle wasn't cited because it wasn't intentionally hitting him. I thought negligence could be a criminal case if enough damage was done. Am I way off? Does it have to be gross negligence?

The obvious problem with civil court is that it's likely you won't see a dime.

The bill has a little bit of new life today, but my Representative sent me a letter saying that it's too vague on its definitions. I read the bill and don't see that so I wrote him back to clarify what/why it's vague. He is typically a very down to earth guy so I'm looking forward to further discussion with him.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090323/NEWS/90323020/-1/NEWS04

Anybody from Iowa, this came across my Twitter feed thanks to @BikingBis.

It's sad that some people fear defining a safe passing distance in law will, "create liability issues when you give a bicyclist full lane privileges". Maybe next year for Iowa??

I don't understand that at all, since you should have the right to the road way anyways. IE hazards.

To me this is criminal coming from a public official.

Liability for who? Motorists should already have liability right? So what Iowa wants to take on this issue hurray a victory for us sue them to death for crappy roads and all the death and injuries the motorists create?

The bill died today. My rep emailed me and told me that the committee chair wouldn't bring it up.

What's the committee chairs name?

Mark Smith from Marshalltown Mark.Smith@legis.state.ia.us