A Democratic state senator says he’s hopeful the Iowa Legislature will take action next year to help make the state’s roads safer for cycling. Nine people have died while biking in the state so far this year. The latest death occurred last week, when a cyclist was struck from behind while riding in southwest Iowa. Senator Joe Bolkcom of Coralville says he feels distracted drivers are part of the problem, and he thinks the legislature will consider ways to address that.
“I think it’s probably time that we look at ending cell phone use in cars unless it’s hands-free. Stopping texting, Facebooking, emailing. I drive, too and I see people unsafely playing with their phones and the like," says Bolkcom.
Last week, Governor Terry Branstad said his administration will recommend ways to address distracted and drunk driving, including bicycle safety. During this hour of River to River, Bolkcom joins host Ben Kieffer. Kyle Munson of the Des Moines Register; Ken McLeod of the League of American Bicyclists; and Mark Wyatt of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition also join the conversation.
