Trail Etiquette
Trails are shared spaces used by bicyclists, walkers, runners, families, and other people. A little courtesy goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe and making the trail enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re riding to school, commuting, or enjoying a weekend ride, remember to share the trail and be aware of others around you.
- Ride to the right and leave room for others to pass.
- Give a warning when passing, such as “passing on your left” or use a bell.
- Stay alert and watch for walkers, children, and other trail users.
- Slow down in busy areas, at intersections, and when approaching blind corners.
- Give extra space to children and families who may not move predictably.
- Yield when appropriate and be patient with other trail users.
- Be courteous and respectful.
Walk, Bike, Roll Day Approaches
Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is back this October, and Iowa is already off to a great start! Fifty schools across the state have signed up to participate, bringing students, families, and communities together to celebrate walking, biking, and rolling to school. Iowa has ranked fifth nationally for per capita participation in each of the past three Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day events, and we’re hoping to keep that momentum going. Multiple bike buses are already planned around the state, giving students and families a fun way to ride to school together. There is still plenty of time to register your school at walkbiketoschool.org and join schools across Iowa in celebrating active transportation and safer routes to school.
Questions or need help planning an event? Reach out to Matt at Matt@iowabike.org.
Fall Foliage Bike Rides
Mindfulness is in, and what better way to be present than to go on a bike ride during peak fall colors?
In Northern Iowa, plan your ride for the last week of September to the second week of October. The most scenic, tree-lined bike trails in Northern Iowa are Trout Run Trail (Decorah), Three Rivers Trail near Humboldt, and Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail (from Cresco to Calmar). If mountain biking is more your speed, ride Prairie Rock Trails Bike Park in Mason City.
For the central portion of the state, plan your ride between the first and third weeks in October. The Neal Smith trail going north out of Des Moines is tree-lined along the river. The Sac and Fox Trail goes through a deep wooded valley near Cedar Rapids .
The Chichaqua Valley Trail from Berwick to Baxter is another scenic option in central Iowa alternating between farmland, heavily wooded river valleys and marshes. Grab the 2026 Limited Edition Passport while you can while on the CVT! Each passport is $22 and supports Friends of the Chichaqua Valley Trail and trail improvements. Passports can be found at BonduBikes and Brickhouse Fitness in Bondurant, Station Street Cycle Shop in Mingo, and Benola’s Pub & Patio and Java Java on Main both in Baxter.
In Southern Iowa, the best time to bike for fall foliage is the second through last weeks of October. The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a 63 mile trail through heavily wooded areas forming a canopy over riders.
Send us your best picture of biking featuring fall foliage to bikeinfo@bicyclecoalition.org and we’ll feature it in our next newsletter!
Building Better Bike Policy, One Community at a Time
As new electric mobility devices appear on Iowa streets, sidewalks and trails, communities are facing a growing challenge: How do we address legitimate safety concerns without unintentionally restricting traditional bicycles and legal e-bikes? This summer, that question came before many Iowa communities & most recently the Urbandale City Council.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition and Street Collective engaged directly with city leaders as Urbandale considered a new ordinance addressing e-bikes, e-motos and other emerging mobility devices. We brought cycling policy expertise, Iowa Code considerations and the recently developed Model Ordinance for Bicycles and Pedestrian Conveyances to the conversation.
The result was a stronger ordinance and an example of what can happen when communities bring the right partners to the table.
Through conversations with council members and city staff, IBC and Street Collective helped clarify important distinctions between traditional bicycles and Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes and higher powered devices that fall outside those classifications. We advocated for preserving the rights of people riding bicycles while helping the city address the devices creating new safety concerns.
Urbandale Is Not Alone
Communities across Iowa are wrestling with many of the same questions. IBC is now actively working with dozens of communities across the state, providing the model ordinance, answering policy questions and helping local leaders navigate emerging mobility issues. That is exactly the role we want to play.
Cities should not have to tackle a rapidly changing mobility landscape alone, and riders should not encounter significantly different rules every time they cross a city boundary or enter another trail system.
Our model ordinance provides communities with a consistent framework that aligns with Iowa Code where applicable, addresses gaps involving emerging devices and protects access for traditional bicycles and legal Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes.
From Local Action to a Statewide Solution
What we are hearing from communities also reinforces the need for the next step. A patchwork of local ordinances is not the long term solution.
As part of IBC’s 2027 legislative strategy, we plan to take this work to the Iowa Statehouse and advocate for a clear, consistent statewide approach to emerging mobility devices. Our goal is to improve safety, provide clearer guidance for communities and law enforcement, protect the rights of people riding bicycles and legal e-bikes, and give Iowans greater consistency as they travel between communities.
The work happening in Urbandale and in communities across Iowa is helping inform that effort.
Is your community discussing e-bikes, e-motos or other emerging mobility devices? Bring IBC into the conversation.
We can provide the model ordinance, review proposed language, answer questions and help connect your community with resources and expertise.
Better policy starts with collaboration. Together, we can create safer communities today while building a more consistent approach for all of Iowa tomorrow.
- Interested in reviewing the model ordinance or discussing e-mobility regulations in your community? Contact the Iowa Bicycle Coalition
- View the Bike Ordinances Tracker: Street Collective Bike Ordinances Tracker
Get to know the IBC Board of Directors
Get to know the team that helps keep the Iowa Bicycle Coalition pedaling forward! Read more in the blog post here.
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.
- Wheels and Wings Bike Ride
Join Story County Conservation, the Outdoor Alliance of Story County, and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition on September 19th, 2026 for Wheels & Wings, a monarch-themed bike ride celebrating the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail. Sign up to ride here.
- Iowa Trails and Bike Summit
The Iowa Trails & Bike Summit on October 2nd is an annual gathering of professionals, researchers, and advocates working across trails and greenways, policy, infrastructure, and multimodal mobility taking place in Ames, IA. Learn more here.
- Fairfield Harvest Rush
Fairfield is unique and so is the Harvest Rush on October 3rd. The Iowa Gravel Series is excited to have this established race join the series and we plan to make it a big deal. The Harvest Rush is the championship race for the series! Learn more here.
- CITA Trail Festival + Dirty Du
Celebrate the extensive natural-surface trail network on October 17th. The festival welcomes participants of all ages and skill levels, including mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers, and active families. The day is anchored by the annual, competitive Dirty Duathlon race (registration required), a youth MTB race, and potential mountain bike skills clinics. Learn more here.
In the News
- Study: Riding bicycles generates more than $1B for Iowa’s economy Radio Iowa
- Iowa schools rally for Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day KIMT3
- Iowa Schools Get Ready to Walk, Bike and Roll Ottumwa Radio
- Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day returns this October with strong participation across Iowa Clear Lake Mirror Reporter
- City Council Deadlock Halts Storm Lake’s Proposed E‑Bike Ordinance Storm Lake Radio
- Piercy’s speech kills ordinance on e-bikes, e-scooters Storm Lake Times Pilot
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 Gravel Bicycling
Download: Iowa Gravel Guide
Gravel is huge in Iowa. The Iowa Gravel Guide is an essential resource for anyone who wants to explore the many gravel roads and trails that Iowa has to offer. Our guide provides tips and advice for riding on gravel, including how to choose the right bike, equipment, and tires to handle the unique challenges of riding on unpaved surfaces. With easy-to-understand language and practical advice, our gravel guide is designed to empower cyclists with the knowledge and skills they need to enjoy the many benefits of gravel riding in Iowa. Whether you’re a seasoned gravel rider or just starting out, our guide is an excellent resource for discovering some of the most beautiful and adventurous gravel roads and trails in the state.
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?
