New Iowa law adds protections for people using crosswalks

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - The new law changes the definition of pedestrian, now including people using bikes, wheelchairs, strollers, skateboards, and scooters. This means drivers must yield to essentially everybody using a crosswalk.

While many drivers were already yielding in these situations, cycling advocates say it’s a step in the right direction. Matt Burkey with the Iowa Bicycle Coalition says the new law will make crosswalks more safe.

”It’s great to have that extra layer of protection,” Burkey said. “I think it’s news to a lot of people that we had to get this law updated and changed to make sure everyone was equal.”

Part of Burkey’s job is to help find accessible routes for kids to walk or ride their bike to school. He believes with this new law in place, it will mean more kids learning to ride.

“I hope that with this bill coming out and people find out about it, maybe that’s the one thing they need to not drive to school,” Burkey said.

While Burkey says the new law is a step in the right direction, he believes more work can be done. He says speeding and distracted driving continue to be big safety issue, especially for cyclists.

“Speeding still remains a big issue,” Burkey said. “It doesn’t matter that we have this crosswalk law, and you’re wearing reflective clothing, if someone is looking at their phone and not the road, there’s no crosswalk law that will prevent that tragedy from happening.”

As part of the law, anybody who does not yield the right of way to those considered pedestrians could be hit with a misdemeanor. If more than one person is injured or even killed, that could be bumped up to a felony.