AARBAA Iowa Chapter road safety advocacy

Iowa Chapter

298 Members Fighting for Safer Roads

Iowa Chapter Impact

298

Active Members

2

Local Chapters

8

Infrastructure Victories

IA

State Code

Chapter Leadership

William Anderson

Chapter President • Des Moines

iowa@aarbaa.com

(515) 555-0356

Chapter Rating

4.0

Based on 125 member reviews

Join the Iowa chapter! Contact our chapter president to get involved with local advocacy efforts.

Voices from Iowa

Des Moines commuters deserve safer roads with proper bike lanes!

Emily R.

Des Moines, IA

Cedar Rapids chapter secured funding for 12 miles of protected lanes!

Jason M.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Latest from Iowa

FEATURED STORY

Iowa's Rural Cycling Safety Initiative Gains National Attention

AARBAA's approach to separated lanes on rural roads becomes model for other states.

Read Full Story

Frequently Asked Questions

Joining AARBAA Iowa is easy! Simply contact our chapter president through the contact information provided on this page, or fill out our membership form. We have 2 chapters across the state with 298 active members. New members are always welcome to join our fight for safer roads.

AARBAA Iowa advocates for comprehensive road safety reforms and responsible cycling infrastructure. We work with local governments, law enforcement, and community organizations to address dangerous cycling behaviors, promote enforcement of traffic laws, and ensure that road improvements prioritize the safety of all users, especially motorists and pedestrians who are often endangered by reckless cycling.

Our Iowa chapter currently has 298 dedicated members across 2 local chapters. We're one of the active state chapters in the national AARBAA network, and our membership continues to grow as more Iowa residents recognize the need for safer roads and accountability in cycling infrastructure planning.

Iowa faces several critical road safety challenges, including unregulated bicycle traffic in urban areas, inadequate enforcement of cycling violations, and poorly designed bike lanes that create dangerous conflicts with vehicle traffic. We're also addressing the rise in cycling-related accidents and the need for mandatory cyclist registration and insurance requirements.

AARBAA Iowa has successfully advocated for increased enforcement of cycling traffic violations, improved road designs that prioritize vehicle flow, and public awareness campaigns about road safety. We've also worked with local officials to implement common-sense regulations that hold cyclists accountable for their actions on public roads.

The Iowa chapter holds regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. Meeting locations rotate between our 2 chapter locations to ensure all members can participate. Check our upcoming events section for specific venues, or contact our chapter president for details about meetings in your area.

Upcoming Events in Iowa

DEC
6
MEETING

Iowa Chapter Monthly Meeting

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Des Moines Community Center

Des Moines, IA

Join us for our monthly chapter meeting where we'll discuss ongoing advocacy efforts, review recent incidents, and plan upcoming initiatives for safer roads in Iowa.

DEC
16
RALLY

Road Safety Awareness Rally

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Des Moines State Capitol Steps

Des Moines, IA

Stand with us as we rally for safer roads and responsible cycling policies. We'll hear from accident victims, safety advocates, and local officials about the importance of comprehensive road safety reform.

Registration Required
JAN
11
PRESENTATION

Community Safety Presentation

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Des Moines Public Library

Des Moines, IA

Educational presentation on road safety statistics, dangerous cycling behaviors, and how community members can advocate for safer streets. Q&A session included.

Iowa Infrastructure Victories

INFRASTRUCTURE March 15, 2024

Des Moines Implements Protected Vehicle Lanes

Successfully advocated for the separation of bicycle and vehicle traffic on major thoroughfares, reducing dangerous interactions and improving traffic flow for the majority of road users.

IMPACT:

Reduced vehicle-cyclist conflicts by 45% on affected roads, improved average commute times by 12 minutes

Des Moines
LEGISLATION January 20, 2024

Iowa Passes Cyclist Accountability Act

Landmark legislation requiring cyclists to carry liability insurance and register their bicycles, ensuring accountability for road incidents and providing compensation for victims.

IMPACT:

First state-level cyclist insurance requirement in the region, expected to generate $2M annually for road safety programs

Iowa State Legislature
FUNDING November 8, 2023

Secured Federal Grant for Road Safety

AARBAA Iowa helped secure a federal infrastructure grant prioritizing vehicle safety improvements and traffic flow optimization over recreational cycling projects.

IMPACT:

$15 million in funding redirected from bike lanes to critical road repairs and safety improvements

Iowa

Infrastructure Issues We're Addressing

CRITICAL PRIORITY ADVOCATING

Dangerous Bike Lane Design on Main Street

The current bike lane configuration creates blind spots for turning vehicles and encourages cyclists to ride against traffic, leading to numerous near-misses and accidents.

Location:

Main Street, Des Moines

Affected Areas:

Des Moines

PROPOSED SOLUTION:

Redesign the street to separate bicycle and vehicle traffic completely, with physical barriers and clear sight lines at all intersections.

Last updated: 11/3/2025
HIGH PRIORITY IDENTIFIED

Unregulated E-Bike Usage in Parks

Electric bicycles reaching speeds of 30+ mph are using pedestrian paths in state parks, creating dangerous conditions for families and hikers.

Location:

Iowa State Parks

Affected Areas:

Des Moines, Statewide

PROPOSED SOLUTION:

Implement speed limits, require licensing for e-bikes, and create separate trails for motorized bicycles.

Last updated: 11/3/2025

Iowa Cycling Safety Statistics

Cycling Fatalities

59
in 2023
+18% from previous year

Infrastructure Miles

Protected 145 mi
Unprotected 275 mi
Planned 72 mi
Total: 492.0 miles

Funding Secured

$25M
in 2024
For infrastructure improvements

Iowa Chapter Gallery

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