Nate Kaeding Expect Bike Traffic PSA

By Mike Brownlee

Next time you’re out on a bicycle ride, keep an eye out. There just might be a celebrity riding next to you.

Former University of Iowa kicker Nate Kaeding is an avid bicyclist – when he’s not kicking field goals for the San Diego Chargers.

Kaeding appears in a new public service announcement that focuses on bicycle safety and encourages bicyclist and driver safety on Iowa roadways.

Wearing full cyclist garb – with his helmet on, of course – Kaeding is shown riding Iowa trails before stopping to address the camera.

"Motorists should slow down and pass with care, yield at intersections, and not multi-task," he says in the video. "Bicyclists should obey traffic signs, be predictable, and use lights at night."

The PSA is part of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s "Expect Bike Traffic!" campaign, which promotes further cooperation and consideration between drivers and bicyclists. There were eight bicyclist fatalities in 2008 in Iowa and the state averages about 5-7 bicycle deaths per year.

In addition to the PSA, the campaign includes posters with Kaeding pictured and a black and white instructional poster with safety tips for motorists and bicyclists.

Kaeding grew up in Coralville and attended Iowa City West High School. While at West he led the Trojans to state championships in football, basketball and soccer as a senior in 2001. He was named the Des Moines Register Athlete of the Year for his accomplishments.

In his college career at Iowa Kaeding won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker in 2002 and was a first-team all-American in 2002 and 2003. He finished his career as Iowa’s all-time leading scorer with 373 points and is arguably the greatest kicker in school history.

The 26-year-old has remained a fixture in the Iowa City/Coralville community since graduation, hosting an annual charity golf tournament, running a football-baseball-soccer youth camp until 2008 and opening Short’s Burger and Shine restaurant with two friends in 2009.