Bicyclists are not easy to spot – especially youth riders. The average youth bike height is four feet and length is only 20-24” often making their little outlines invisible against a backdrop of intersections, vehicles, trees, and structures. That’s why we should steer our nice toward looking twice during bike season.
Young riders are even harder to see if they ride in your blind spot and don’t wear bright clothing or helmets. But as motorists, it’s our responsibility to continuously scan the horizon and watch for children who are unpredictable pedalers and dart without warning.
Since 2021, in Iowa, there have been 24 bicycle fatalities. These incidents typically occur at intersections where we often overlook bikes or fail to yield the right-of-way. By adopting these good driving practices, we can keep the roads safer for kids as they learn to navigate:
- Look Twice at Intersections: Before turning or crossing, scan the area from every direction to ensure the path is clear with no late oncoming bicycles.
- Maintain Safe Following Distances: Bicycles can stop more quickly than passenger vehicles and make unpredictable movements.
- Stay Alert: Avoid distractions like using your phone, eating, and loud audio.
- Give Them Space: Give bikes at least three feet of space when passing.
- Be Patient & Slow Down: You won’t lose significant time on your trip by doing the right things.
No matter when schools take breaks, let’s be more vigilant as we share the roads with more kids on two wheels.
In 2025, in Iowa, 92 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of seven since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 355 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit the daily fatality report.