A Democratic state senator says he’s hopeful the Iowa Legislature will take action next year to help make the state’s roads safer for cycling. Nine people have died while biking in the state so far this year. That’s the most in any year since 2010. Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, says he feels distracted drivers are part of the problem.

“I think it’s probably time that we look at ending cell phone use in cars unless it’s hands-free…stopping texting, Facebooking, emailing,” Bolkcom said. Last week, Governor Branstad pledged to recommend ways the legislature can help make Iowa’s roads safer for cyclists as well as motorists. The governor’s comments followed the latest cycling death in the state, a week ago Sunday, when a Florida man participating in the annual RAGBRAI ride was struck from behind near Glenwood and killed before joining the official route.

“The tragedies of these lost lives is really going to move this along,” Bolkcom said. “I hope that we can move with something on distracted driving on cell phone use.” Bolkcom made his comments (Tuesday) on Iowa Public Radio’s River to River program.

(Radio Iowa/IPR)