At about noon today (Sunday) an estimated 20,000 bicyclists will set off on the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, better known as RAGBRAI in Glenwood. The southern route planned for this year is touted as one of the toughest for riders, and in a recent visit to Carroll, Iowa Speaker of the House, Republican Linda Upmeyer, discussed another tough issue, that of state laws regarding cyclists. Several accidents have included fatalities, and the most recent involved a fatality when a distracted driver was texting. Upmeyer talked about where the Iowa legislators are at in increasing awareness and safety.
She said there are changes and regulations that need to be addressed for vehicle drivers.
Upmeyer added that there are also things that cyclists can do to reduce the risks of collisions and that input needs to come from all perspectives.
The week-long bicycle ride ends Saturday, July 30 in Muscatine.
