Iowa Ranked Top 10 Bike Friendly States

To coincide with Bike to Work Week, the League of American Bicyclists is excited to announce our third annual Bicycle Friendly State (BFS) rankings. The League named Iowa as seventh.

“We are delighted to report that states, and statewide bicycle advocates, are using this program to target legislative changes, adopt new policies and even start new advocacy groups in order to improve conditions for cyclists,” said Andy Clarke, League President. “Change at the state level is harder to see than in a community or business, but is no less important – and we are seeing real progress.”

Iowa is a stand-out state for its initiative and progress to become more bicycle-friendly. “Iowa has worked hard in the education and encouragement areas with an active Safe Routes to School Program and bike safety taught in Driver's Education,” says Mark Wyatt, director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.

In the individual categories, Iowa was ranked 37th for legislation compared to other states. “We've worked with the Iowa General Assembly over the past couple of years. They have taken some small steps toward bike and traffic safety. We keep falling behind what other states are doing. Over half the states have a 3' passing distance for bicycles. Iowa does not have a safe passing distance”, said Wyatt.

The BFS program links the League’s work with federal level and community advocacy throughout the nation and recognizes states that actively support bicycling. The state rankings were first conducted in 2008 and are conducted annually, with all questions and methodology remaining consistent to track states’ progress. The BFS rankings are based on a 95-item questionnaire that evaluates a state’s commitment to bicycling and covers six key areas: legislation, policies and programs, infrastructure, education and encouragement, evaluation and planning, and enforcement. The League offers feedback and technical assistance to states in an effort to improve their ranking as well as overall conditions for bicycling.

The rankings are used to create momentum amongst states and communities to continue to become more bicycle friendly. The League’s second round of BFS awards are modeled after the successful Bicycle Friendly Community designation program. 

To learn more about the League’s Bicycle Friendly State program visit bicyclefriendlystate.org. View the 2010 BFS Rankings list, complete with BFS awards, and a breakdown of how the states fared in each evaluation category. For more information, e-mail Meghan Cahill at meghan@bikeleague.org or call 202.822.1333. 

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is a state-wide bicycle advocacy organization with 1,300 members and over 7,000 partners through affiliate organizations throughout Iowa. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition builds partnerships, educates Iowans, and helps to establish safe and enjoyable bicycle transportation and recreation networks throughout Iowa.