Staying safe on your bicycle while riding in Siouxland
'May is actually a great month to start doing. This is kind of a kickoff to the summer season, and get your bicycles all tuned up. Check your air pressure. Make sure everything's in working order. Nobody wants to get out there and break down, so it's good to just stop at one of the local bike shops or the places around town or whatever area around to get them kind of looked over, good once over' said Nathan Kistner, the SIMPCO regional planner
Iowa is one of the 13 states that doesn't enforce bike helmet laws, but Kistner recommends, everyone should wear one.
'You don't need one until you do, and so it's always better just to have one on, and safety is the number one concern because when you fall off your bike, there's a lot of bad things that can happen, and if you hit your head, it's even worse, and so it can really save you,' explained Kistner.
Tom Gill, with the Sioux City Police Department, wants drivers to be aware of their surroundings when there are bicyclist out on the road.
'If you're out there driving on the streets, be aware that's when it's nice out. You're going to see more motorcycles, more motorbikes, more bicycles, and just make sure that sometimes they don't see you, just like sometimes, you don't see them, so always be aware,' said Gill.
Gill recommends that, if you want to go on a bike ride, to go on the trails instead of being on the road.
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'We have some beautiful trails out here in Sioux City by the riverfront, which is where I'm patrolling out here today. If you can stay on the trail, stay on the trail because there's no vehicles, no motor vehicles allowed on our walking trails in Sioux City.'
However, if you still need to take the road on your bike, Gill says: 'Make sure you're always observing the rules of the road, you know, because a lot of times the cars won't see you. Make sure you have good reflectors. Make sure if you're riding your bike, and it's dark, make sure you have a light both on the front and back of your bike.'
Kistner said that if riders want to find out where bike riding is allowed in Sioux City, to consult the city's municipal code.Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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