Iowa bike advocate hit by car on RAGBRAI inspection ride
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Luke Hoffman riding with his RAGBRAI team, the "Tall Dogs." Photos: Courtesy of Hoffman
Bike safety is always top of mind for Luke Hoffman, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition — but especially after he was hit by a driver during RAGBRAI's pre-ride inspection.
Why it matters: Iowa roads have become less safe for everyone, including drivers, since 2020. Pedestrians and cyclists, however, have seen the worst safety statistics with the Des Moines metro reporting a five-year high in serious injuries and fatalities in 2022.
Context: RAGBRAI's route inspection team rides the same roads as the July event to identify any "unsafe traffic patterns" and hazards that may need to be fixed beforehand, according to BikeIowa, a local cycling resource.
State of play: While the pre-ride group was biking to Knoxville on June 6, a driver hit Hoffman from behind on G76, according to records obtained by Axios from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
- The driver, who didn't change lanes to pass Hoffman, drove too close and hit his shoulder with his side mirror, he tells Axios.
- Hoffman says the driver pulled over and explained he was distracted by a dog in his vehicle. Hoffman did not press charges and did not sustain injuries beyond serious bruising.
"The most impactful thing was just processing the trauma of being hit by a vehicle," Hoffman says.
- "I love cycling so much — it's so central to my identity that when I got hit, to be scared like I was after that, it just takes joy away from you."
What they're saying: Anne Lawrie, RAGBRAI's cycling director, says they gave immediate assistance to Hoffman and are "relieved" he was not seriously injured by the distracted driver.
- "As we prepare for RAGBRAI next Sunday, the safety of our riders is our utmost priority as we continue to raise awareness about the importance of sharing the road responsibly," Lawrie told Axios in a statement.
The big picture: While Hoffman says he's "lucky to be alive," other cyclists on Iowa's roads have been killed by distracted drivers and the problem is getting worse.
By the numbers: Traffic safety advocates say Iowa's road fatalities have risen since 2020 due to an increase in risky behaviors like speeding, distracted driving and aggressive lane changes.
- Vehicle-related deaths in Iowa rose more than 11% in 2023 to 376, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report.
- In 2022, 43 cyclists and pedestrians were killed or suffered serious injuries on roads, according to the Iowa DOT — the highest total since 2010.
What's next: Hoffman says he still plans on riding RAGBRAI this year. But during the next legislative session he will also advocate for prohibiting handheld phone use and requiring cars to change lanes when passing a cyclist.