DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is hoping the Iowa Department of Transportation will do something to make the NW 44th Street intersection of the High Trestle Trail safer for cyclists following the tragic death of an Ankeny woman cycling on the trail last week.

Luke Hoffman, the Executive Director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, said he asked the DOT to look into the intersection.

“There’s stop signs there for the cyclists, and then there’s like watch for cyclists, I think as a sign, but not flashing lights which draw attention. This is a really busy intersection and it’s clearly very dangerous. So that would be another solution in addition to level setting the road and the trail and there’s some other remedies I think that can be put in place, but I think everyone is fully invested in some solutions. I was just in a meeting again with the D.O.T. today and brought this up,” Hoffman said.

Gary Lorenz, a cyclist on the High Trestle Trail, said that the NW 44th Street intersection is the most dangerous intersection on the trail.

“This one’s different because you’re right on the crown of a hill, and whether you’ve come to a complete stop or not, it’s still by time you get going, there could be somebody right on you at that point too,” Lorenz said.

Jason Klein, a cyclist on the High Trestle Trail, said he has had a close call while crossing the NW 44th street intersection.

“I’ve had one instance before where I didn’t see a car and then they didn’t see me, and luckily I was able to get out of the way soon enough. But I’m sure it felt a lot closer than it was. But unfortunately, you know, I got a little close and I’m extra careful on this intersection now,” Klein said.

A Change.org petition was stated to make the NW 44th street intersection safe. To learn more about the petition visit the petition website.