Pleasant weather encourages outdoor recreation. But pedestrians, bicyclists and skaters who fail to follow traffic rules are at a greater risk of injury.

On average, a pedestrian was killed every 88 minutes in traffic crashes in 2017; regardless of the season, bicyclist deaths occurred most often between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and more often in urban areas (75 percent) compared to rural areas (25 percent); bicyclist deaths were eight times higher for males than females and alcohol was involved in 37 percent of all fatal bicyclist crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Marshalltown Police Officer Dave Danielson said people on bikes, rollerbladers and skateboarders must follow the same traffic laws those in cars do. Failure to do so can result in citations.

“We try to education more so. You can be cited for failure to yield at a stop sign or riding down the wrong way on a one way street. We see that on Linn Street and Church Street,” he said.

While rollerblading, skateboarding and using non-motorized scooters is permitted on sidewalks, it is best to stay off to the side of the road.

“You can ride them on sidewalks in neighborhoods, but downtown, you need to walk that bike or carry the skateboard if you’re on the sidewalks. They are for pedestrians,” he said.

People need to walk facing traffic, but ride with the traffic, he said.

Danielson has worked the night shift for 10 years. He said just because the evening hours have less traffic doesn’t mean traffic laws and safety tips shouldn’t be followed. Bikes should have a headlight. In the rear, there should be either a tail light or reflector.

“When [bicyclists] see a police officer, they’ll kick on their flashlight or use a cellphone to light the way,” he said.

On occasion, Danielson will encounter people riding a bike intoxicated.

“It’s still unsafe. Your balance isn’t good. You could wreck and land in the road. You can be cited for public intoxication,” he said.

While not wearing a helmet and failure to use hand signals won’t result in being ticketed, Danielson said safe practices set good examples for children.

“This time of year we hand out ice cream citations to kids that are wearing helmets and riding in a straight line and using hand signals. I joke it’s probably something we should start doing with adults,” he said.

Construction, detours and distracted drivers all put non-motorists at risk.

“I hear about people being afraid to use the bike lane because of a car door flying open and hitting them,” he said. “When you park your car, before you get out, check the bike lane and make sure no one is coming. The city put in bike lanes for a reason.”

Motorists can be cited for stopping in the middle of crosswalks.

“It seems like we’re seeing an influx in skateboarders and they like to ride down the middle of the road, which isn’t safe,” he said.

If you are going to spend time using these recreational devices in the nighttime hours, wear reflective clothing.

For more information, contact Danielson at ddanielson@marshalltown-ia.gov.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at

641-753-6611 or

sjordan@timesrepublican.com