June has been a dangerous month for Iola area cyclists, with three serious accidents involving bikes and motorists.
On June 1, a child on a bicycle was struck by a vehicle and sustained injuries on the 700 block of North Jefferson. On June 10, an adult on an e-bike was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of South Street and Broadway. And on June 12, a motorcyclist collided with Iolan Sofie Alexander as she was riding her bicycle near the Allen County Regional Airport, leaving her with a concussion, a fractured pelvis, and a sprained wrist.
Iola Police Chief Jared Warner addressed City Council Monday evening, saying it was imperative the police department “bring to the public’s attention the safety and responsibility that come with riding bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters within our community.”
Warner began by insisting everyone, motorists and cyclists included, follow the rules of the road.
“It’s sometimes difficult to get vehicles to stop at stop signs. It’s really been difficult to get bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters to stop at stop signs, also,” Warner said. “So we’re exploring different avenues and taking a look at what other cities have implemented to possibly make it a little bit safer for the traveling community.”
Warner said education was fundamental to improving safety. “We have to do our part, too, especially with the education aspect.”
Lieutenant Brandon Andres will collaborate with SAFE BASE, Iola-USD 257’s after-school program, to help teach bike safety to K-6 students, Warner said.
Council members seemed especially receptive to the idea of more education and outreach. Council member Joelle Shallah said “we’ve skipped a generation” with bike education and recalled how her children attended annual bike safety clinics held in Riverside Park over spring break.
Warner said the clinics were stopped due to poor participation. “We started the program in 2010,” Warner said, with about 20 youth participants. But “it just died off from there.”
Warner reminded the Council that the police department distributes free bike helmets to children. “But we don’t see many kids wearing them.”
Officers will stop cyclists who aren’t following the rules. “If our officers see it, they are going to stop the individual,” Warner said. “It could just be a conversation,” he clarified, noting the police department doesn’t typically issue citations to juveniles for traffic infractions while on a bike.
Mayor Steve French said “it’s imperative we take a proactive standpoint before punishment.” He recalled police officers used to teach bike safety in classrooms, also wondering if “sharrows,” street markings that show a lane is shared by vehicles and bicycles, would be helpful.
WARNER also mentioned regulations surrounding electric bikes, or e-bikes.
In 49 of 50 states, including Kansas, there are three categories: Class 1 is pedal-assist only and tops at 20 mph. Class 2 has the same maximum speed but includes a throttle, while Class 3 is pedal-assist only and the motor stops at 28 mph.
“Those are pretty significant speeds, especially without helmets,” Warner said. He suggested more regulations might be necessary. (The registration of bikes in Iola is encouraged but not mandatory.)
“I’ve reviewed a few ordinances other cities have put in place, and I think that’s probably going to be imperative coming down the road, especially with e-bikes,” he said.
