Visibility Survey 2018 |
Propsed legislation on passing and bike visibility
The Iowa House is considering a bill that would require vehicles to change lanes to pass bicycles. The law would clarify the code to require vehicles to pass bicycles in the same manner as other vehicles. Although bicycles have the same rights (and responsibilities) as vehicles, some courts, law enforcement, and public have struggled with the law because bicycles are not defined as vehicles in Iowa.
The House has proposed an amendment to the bill to mandate bicyclists wear 144 square inches of hi-viz material on roads with a speed limit of 45 mph or greater during daylight hours. We have not been given the amendment, so we do not know the definition of high-viz colors, location they must be place, angle of viewing, or requirement of aggregate of cumulative area.
Even if you are a person who prefers to wear hi-viz clothing, a mandate does create some legal complications for bicyclists. Please help us with the survey on mandatory hi-viz requirements.