1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose House Study Bill 637, introduced on January 28, 2026, by the House Public Safety Committee. While styled as a safety measure, this legislation would effectively criminalize bicycle use across Iowa and devastate our state's cycling economy. HSB 637 would ban bicycles and other devices from any roadway with speed limits above 25 mph, except to cross them. This means cyclists could no longer legally ride on most rural roads, highways into towns, or main urban thoroughfares. Combined with provisions that ban Class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks and multi-use trails, the bill eliminates virtually all legal spaces for modern cycling. The economic impact would be severe. RAGBRAI, Iowa's iconic cycling event that brings economic activity to dozens of communities annually, routinely uses state highways and county roads with posted speeds well above 25 mph. The bill provides no clear exemption for this event or other traditional bike races and gravel events that attract hundreds of thousands of riders to Iowa each year. These events support local businesses, hotels, and restaurants across the state. The bill would also criminalize bike couriers and package delivery by bicycle, eliminating sustainable transport jobs. Violations carry penalties of up to 30 days in jail and fines up to approximately $855, creating criminal records for everyday activities like commuting to work or riding to school. The over-broad definition of "device" sweeps in wheelchairs, strollers, and mobility aids, potentially creating criminal liability for parents and people with disabilities. The brake requirement that mandates wheels must skid on dry pavement would actually penalize modern anti-lock braking systems designed to prevent skidding for safety. I ask you to oppose HSB 637 as written. If safety improvements are needed, they should enhance cyclist protection without criminalizing bicycle use or destroying Iowa's cycling culture and economy.