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 — REF. /news/oak-street-victory/FIELD OFFICE DOSSIER · DOCKET NO. AAR-IA-0015
IOWA FIELD OFFICE
298 Locals Against Road Bikers · Des Moines Station
QUARTERLY FIGURES · DOCKET NO. AAR-IA-0015
IOWA CHAPTER IMPACT
QUARTERLY FIGURES
298MEMBERS
2LOCAL CHAPTERS
8VICTORIES
IOWA CYCLING SAFETY STATISTICS
CYCLING FATALITIES (2023)59+18% FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
INFRASTRUCTURE MILES — PROTECTED145 MI
INFRASTRUCTURE MILES — UNPROTECTED275 MI
INFRASTRUCTURE MILES — PLANNED72 MI
FUNDING SECURED (2024) — FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS$25M
PUBLIC SATISFACTION INDEX: 4.0 / 5 — 125 RESPONSES ON FILE
This dossier is complete to the extent the Des Moines station has filed. Figures not on record are presumed favorable.
PERSONNEL FILE · OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS
CHAPTER LEADERSHIP
OFFICER IN CHARGEWilliam Anderson
STATIONChapter President · Des Moines
ELECTRONIC MAILiowa@aarbaa.com
TELEPHONE(515) 555-0356
Join the Iowa chapter! Contact our chapter president to get involved with local advocacy efforts.
PUBLIC COMMENT RECORD · ENTERED WITHOUT OBJECTION
VOICES FROM IOWA
FEATURED MEMORANDUM · RECORDS DIVISION
LATEST FROM IOWA
CASE OUTCOMES · CLOSED FILES
IOWA INFRASTRUCTURE VICTORIES
The Grand Avenue Paceline Advisory of 2024
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:
The Des Moines station logged a 41% decline in two-abreast riding on Grand Avenue during morning peak and an estimated 8-minute throughput gain on Ingersoll Avenue. Energy-chew wrapper recovery on the High Trestle Trail held at 3.3 per trail-mile in the FY2025 count.
The I-235 Shoulder Reclassification, Des Moines
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
Federal Grant Redirected to the I-80 Corridor
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
SCHEDULED PROCEEDINGS · PUBLIC NOTICE
UPCOMING EVENTS IN IOWA
Des Moines Station Monthly Convening
MEETINGJoin 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.
PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED — MINUTES ON FILE
The Grand Avenue Shoulder Rally
RALLYStand 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.
PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED — MINUTES ON FILE
High Trestle Trail Yield Seminar
PRESENTATIONEducational presentation on road safety statistics, dangerous cycling behaviors, and how community members can advocate for safer streets. Q&A session included.
PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED — MINUTES ON FILE
INFRASTRUCTURE CASE FILES · OPEN MATTERS
INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES WE'RE ADDRESSING
The Ingersoll Avenue Contraflow Hazard, Des Moines
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
- NOVEMBER 3, 2025
Unlicensed E-Bikes on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail
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
- NOVEMBER 3, 2025
PUBLIC COUNTER · RESPONSES PREPARED IN ADVANCE
FREQUENTLY FILED INQUIRIES
How can I join AARBAA Iowa?
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.
What does AARBAA do in Iowa?
AARBAA Iowa enters public comment on cycling conduct along the I-80 and I-235 corridors, Grand Avenue and Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines, and the High Trestle Trail, and petitions the Iowa Department of Transportation for enforcement review. Our Des Moines station forwards its FY2025 findings to officials in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.
How many members does the Iowa chapter have?
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.
What are the main road safety challenges in Iowa?
Iowa's caseload centers on the Grand Avenue paceline, the RAGBRAI route as it crosses county highways each July, and the High Trestle Trail near Madrid, where the Des Moines station counted 3.3 dropped energy-chew wrappers per trail-mile in FY2025. Gravel-road conduct in the eastern counties remains under review.
What victories has AARBAA Iowa achieved?
Our closed files include the Grand Avenue Paceline Advisory of 2024 and the Ingersoll Avenue sightline review in Des Moines. Both are retained under Records Retention Schedule 7 and may be requested at the public counter on Form AAR-101.
When and where does the Iowa chapter meet?
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.
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDS · EVIDENCE LOCKER
IOWA CHAPTER GALLERY
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDSPENDING DECLASSIFICATIONREF: AAR-IA-0015
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDSPENDING DECLASSIFICATIONREF: AAR-IA-0015
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDSPENDING DECLASSIFICATIONREF: AAR-IA-0015
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDSPENDING DECLASSIFICATIONREF: AAR-IA-0015
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDSPENDING DECLASSIFICATIONREF: AAR-IA-0015
FILE A REQUEST · FORM AAR-101
JOIN AARBAA IOWA
Ready to make a difference in Iowa? Fill out the form below to connect with your local chapter and start advocating for safer roads today!
FORM AAR-101 — REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
REV. 07/2026 · APPROVED FOR PUBLIC USE · FILE IN DUPLICATE
CROSS-REFERENCES · RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE 7
PUBLIC COMMENT RECORD · 2 ENTRIES ON FILE
CASE NO. AAR-C-0001
Eugene P. — Des Moines
CASE NO. AAR-C-0002
Loretta S. — Cedar Rapids