Help Shape the Future of Cycling in Iowa
Care about safer roads, connected places to ride and better cycling opportunities in your community? Your voice can make a difference!
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is renewing our District Leaders program, connecting local advocates with the tools, information and support to help shape cycling policies and priorities across Iowa.
Join IBC and our lobbying team for a free virtual advocacy webinar where you’ll learn:
- IBC’s 2027 legislative strategy and priorities for Iowa cycling
- How to engage elected officials and advocate for cycling in your community
- Ways to make an impact by bringing your local perspective into statewide advocacy
No policy experience or formal leadership role needed. Just bring your questions and your passion for cycling!
Thursday, October 29th
12:00pm – 12:45pm CST| Online
Virtual | Free to Attend
Register here: https://forms.gle/37WNDzL3zFY97jXG6
100+ Iowa Schools Walk, Bike & Roll
Iowa students and families showed up in a big way for Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day!
More than 100 Iowa schools participated, earning Iowa third place nationally for per capita participation!
From walking groups to bike buses in Ames, Des Moines, Iowa City, Tipton and Muscatine, communities came together to celebrate active transportation and help kids experience the joy of walking and biking to school.
Through our Safe Routes to School program, IBC is helping make those everyday journeys safer and more accessible for Iowa families.
Questions or need help planning an event? Reach out to Matt at Matt@iowabike.org.
What’s Allowed on a Bike Trail?
Know before you go! As e-bikes, e-motos and other electric mobility devices become more common, Iowa communities are updating local ordinances to address safety on streets, sidewalks and trails.
But not every electric two-wheeled device is legally an e-bike.
Iowa law recognizes Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes, while higher-powered devices that fall outside those classifications may be subject to local ordinances and regulations.
Rules for sidewalks and trails can also vary by community, making it important to know the regulations where you ride.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is working with communities across the state to promote consistent policies that improve safety while protecting access for traditional bicycles and legal e-bikes.
Experience the Iowa Bike Expo!
The Iowa Bike Expo returns January 23rd, 2027. Get ready to kick off another incredible year of cycling!
Date: January 23, 2027Hours: 9AM – 3:30PM
Location: Iowa Events Center | Des Moines, Iowa
FREE ADMISSION
Find your Next Adventure by Bike
Whether you’re looking for a signature ride, a family-friendly event, a skills clinic, or your next cycling challenge, there’s always something happening across Iowa. Here are a few upcoming Iowa Bicycle Coalition feature events to add to your calendar.
- RAGBRAI Logo + Jersey Reveal | November 6th
Get a first look at the 2027 RAGBRAI logo and jersey, celebrate RAGBRAI’s history and check out new merchandise. Follow the reveal in person or through the RAGBRAI Facebook livestream. Learn more here.
- Tour de Lights | November 21st
Experience the holiday magic of Water Works Park in Des Moines! Bike or walk through festive light displays and enjoy seasonal activities at this family-friendly event presented by SCHEELS. Learn more here.
- Beaverdale Holiday Lights Bike Ride | December 5th
Join Beaverdale Bicycles for a casual neighborhood ride featuring holiday lights, cookies, hot cocoa and apple cider. Learn more here.
Cycling Guides
Did you know the Iowa Bicycle Coalition has free online cycling guides? Our guides offer a wealth of information on a variety of cycling topics, from e-bikes and mountain biking to avoiding bike theft and Iowa bike laws. Check them out on our website here.
This month’s featured guide: Iowa Mountain Biking
Download: Mountain Bicycling in Iowa
There are no mountains in Iowa, but that does not stop bicyclists from riding mountain bikes on singletrack here. There are a surprising amount of great unpaved trails that you can enjoy mountain biking. Iowa is not flat and area trail builders and land managers have taken advantage of Iowa’s elevation change near rivers and streams which quick technical single-track riding. While Iowa mountain biking is enjoyable during the warmer months, many singletrack trails are groomed in the winter making amazing snow bike opportunities for fat bikes with low tire pressure.
Get to know the IBC Board of Directors
Read more in the blog post here.
IBC Advocacy in the Headlines
Iowa’s evolving e-mobility policies continue to make news as communities work to improve safety and address emerging devices.
- Northwest Iowa city adopts e-moto ordinance, rejects 10 mph speed limit on sidewalks Radio Iowa
- West Des Moines considers e-bike ordinance Axios Des Moines
- West Des Moines Moves to Ban High-Speed E-Motos From Trails, Fine Parents of Young Riders Hoodline Greater Des Moines
- Bicycle groups, cities, address use of popular e-motos, often sold and marketed as e-bikes Business Record
Riding Toward a Better Iowa
At the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, we’re working to make sure more people can experience cycling safely, confidently, and in communities across our state.
Our vision is simple: Make Iowa the best place to ride a bike. This year, we’ve been putting that vision into action.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is making an impact:
✔️Defended existing bicycle rights at the State Capitol.
✔️Leading Iowa’s response to emerging e-mobility issues.
✔️Helped more Iowa kids walk, bike and roll safely.
✔️Used cycling to strengthen Iowa Communities.
And we’re not slowing down.
In 2027, your support will help us:
⋅Take our e-mobility work to the State Capitol
⋅Keep fighting for safer roads and trails
⋅Help more kids walk, bike and roll safely
⋅Strengthen Iowa communities through bicycling
We can’t do this work without you.
Your gift today helps keep the Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s statewide voice for bicycling moving forward.
Will you help us carry this momentum into 2027?
