House File 63 (HF63) and Senate File 16 (SF16) is a proposed piece of legislation in Iowa that seeks to ensure equal treatment of all road users by creating standard penalties for bicycle crashes that are the same as those for motorists and pedestrian crashes. By standardizing penalties, this legislation sends a clear message that endangering cyclists on the road is unacceptable and that there are consequences for doing so. HF63 aims to promote responsible driving behavior and create a safer environment for all road users in Iowa, regardless of their mode of transportation. This is an important step in promoting equitable protection for all road users and is a critical issue for those who rely on bicycles as a mode of transportation. With the support of this bill, we can move towards creating safer, more inclusive roadways for everyone.
Take Action
As a bicyclist, your voice matters in the legislative process. Don’t miss the chance to make your opinion heard and to support HF63 and SF16, which aim to create standard penalties in fatal crashes that involve bicyclists. The proposed legislation is crucial in ensuring that everyone on the road has equal rights and protections, and you can help make it happen. Contact your representative on HF63 and senators on SF16 and let them know that you support these bills. Don’t hesitate, take action today at https://p2a.co/8ldB6NS!
Current Bills:
As of February 2023, House File 63 (HF63) has been introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives and has been assigned to the House Public Safety Committee, but has not yet been voted on by the committee. The committee is expected to consider the bill soon. SF16, on the other hand, has passed the Senate Transportation Committee but has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. These bills represent important steps in promoting the safety of cyclists on the road and creating a more equitable transportation system in Iowa, and their progress through the legislative process will be important to watch in the coming weeks and months.
About this legislation
If a bicyclist is killed or injured on Iowa roadways, it is a lesser penalty than if a motorist, motorcyclist, or pedestrian is struck on Iowa roadways.
- This legislation does not raise the penalty but creates the same penalty regardless of the mode of transportation.
- If the motorist is charged with steering unreasonably close to a bicyclist (321.281) the current result is a traffic ticket regardless of injury severity.
- A crash with a serious injury or fatality must occur to trigger the enhanced penalty.
- This penalty is not likely to deter crashes but would create consistency in the Iowa code.
| CRASH TYPE | NO INJURY | SERIOUS INJURY | FATALITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bicyclist hit from behind | Traffic Ticket (321.286) | Traffic Ticket (321.286) | Traffic Ticket (321.286) |
| Motorist/Motorcyclist hit from behind | Traffic Ticket (321.299) | Enhanced Penalty of $500 fine and 3-month license revocation (321.482A) | Enhanced Penalty $1,000 fine and 6-month license revocation (321.482A) |
| Pedestrian hit | Traffic Ticket (321.327) | Enhanced Penalty of $500 fine and 3-month license revocation (321.482A) | Enhanced Penalty $1,000 fine and 6-month license revocation (321.482A) |
The enhanced penalty levies the following fines:
- FATAL CRASH: $1000 fine and 6-month revocation
- SERIOUS INJURY CRASH: $500 fine and 3-month revocation
How often will this be applied?
Steering unreasonably close to a bicyclist (321.281) is charged in 27% of fatal bicycle crashes in the past 5 years. This is second to Homicide by Vehicle (33% of fatal crashes).
Unless the driver is drunk, drugged, drag racing, left the scene, or texting, the result is usually a traffic ticket without enhanced penalties. The same crashes involving motorists or pedestrians are subject to enhanced penalties.
Talking points:
- Under the current Iowa Code, fatal or serious bike crashes are not subject to the same enhanced penalties that fatal or serious injury crashes involving motorists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians.
- This proposal does not raise fines. This simply adds the infraction to the existing list of similar infractions subject to enhanced penalties.
- We do not see this proposal as a deterrent to fatal crashes, but rather a consistency in the Iowa Code to subject similar actions to the same penalties.
Moving violations listed in 321.482A:
- 321.178(2)(a)(2) Restricted license (electronic communications or entertainment)
- 321.180B(6) 321.180B Graduated driver’s licenses for persons aged fourteen through seventeen. (electronic communications)
- 321.194(1)(c) Special minors’ licenses (electronic communications)
- 321.256 Obedience to Traffic Control Devices
- 321.257 Official Traffic Control Signal
- 321.275 (4) Use of traffic lanes two abreast
- 321.276 Use of electronic communication device while driving — text-messaging.
- 321.297 Driving on right-hand side of roadway – exceptions.
- 321.298 Meeting and turning to right.
- 321.299 Overtaking a vehicle
- 321.302 Overtaking and passing
- 321.303 Limitations on overtaking on the left
- 321.304 Prohibited passing
- 321.305 One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands
- 321.306 Roadways laned for traffic
- 321.307 Following too closely
- 321.308 Motor trucks and towed vehicles – distance requirements
- 321.309 Towing – convoys (subsection 2 – maintain 500′ between towed vehicles)
- 321.311 Turning at intersections
- 321.319 Entering intersections from different highways
- 321.320 Left turns – yielding
- 321.321 Entering through highways
- 321.322 Vehicles entering stop or yield intersection
- 321.323 Moving vehicle backward on highway
- 321.323A Approaching certain stationary vehicles
- 321.324 Operation on approach of emergency vehicles
- 321.324A Funeral processions
- 321.327 Pedestrians’ right-of-way
- 321.329 Duty of driver – pedestrians crossing or working on highways.
- 321.333 Duty of drivers (approaching visually impaired persons)
Need:
In the past five years (2020-16), fatal crashes involving bicyclists were charged as follows:
- Failure to Maintain Control: 7%
- Homicide by Vehicle: 33%
- Leaving the Scene: 13%
- No charges: 20%
- Steering Unreasonably Close to a Bicyclist: 27% (4 crashes)
Other Legislation:
View our legislative priorities and take action at: https://iowabicyclecoalition.org/policy-and-legislation/
Support Iowa Bicycle Advocacy:
When you bicycle on Iowa’s trails or roadways, you want an enjoyable ride taking you safely to your destination. We work to make Iowa bicycling safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all. Please consider giving today with credit cards, gifts of stock, or donor-advised funds at https://ibc.app.neoncrm.com/forms/advocacy