SF 2224 (LSB 5949SV (1) 86)

SENATE FILE 2224

BY  COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SF 2076)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the overtaking and passing of bicyclists by motor vehicles, and applying existing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.281, subsection 1, Code 2016, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  A person operating a motor vehicle shall not steer the motor vehicle unreasonably close to or toward a person riding a bicycle on a highway, including the roadway, or the shoulder adjacent to the roadway, or a lane designated for the travel of bicycles.
    Sec. 2.  Section 321.299, Code 2016, is amended to read as follows:
   321.299  Overtaking a vehicle or bicycle.
   The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles and bicycles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules hereinafter stated:
   1.  The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the other vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
   2.  Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and shall not increase the speed of the overtaken vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
   3.  The driver of a vehicle overtaking a person riding a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a roadway shall pass to the left of the bicycle in an adjacent travel lane or on the opposite side of the roadway and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle in accordance with section 321.281. This subsection shall not apply to a vehicle overtaking a bicycle which is traveling on a paved shoulder or in a lane designated for the travel of bicycles.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Code section 321.281 prohibits a person operating a motor vehicle from steering the vehicle unreasonably close to or toward a person riding a bicycle on a highway. This bill broadens that prohibition to include a person riding a bicycle in a lane designated for the travel of bicycles.
   The bill requires the driver of a vehicle overtaking a person riding a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a roadway to pass to the left of the bicycle in an adjacent travel lane or on the opposite side of the roadway, and prohibits the driver from returning to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle in accordance with Code section 321.281. This requirement does not apply if the bicycle is traveling on a paved shoulder or in a lane designated for the travel of bicycles.
   Under current law, a violation of Code section 321.281 is punishable by a scheduled fine of $250 and a violation of Code section 321.299 is punishable by a scheduled fine of $100.