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"A long-standing law required drivers passing cyclists to maintain a safe distance, but it failed to define just how big that space had to be...[The law] allows
by herbig 12y ago
"A long-standing law required drivers passing cyclists to maintain a safe distance, but it failed to define just how big that space had to be...[The law] allows a driver to pass within 3 feet if he slows to a safe speed, said CHP Officer Mike Harris."
Now we just need to define "safe speed" and the law might mean something.
- jjcm 12y agoAlso we need to define what a narrow road is, as you're only allowed to pass within three feet at an ambiguous speed if you're on a road that's narrow.
- wiredfool 12y agoProbably one with 10 foot lanes, instead of the standard 12 foot.
- baddox 12y agoAnd have some way for drivers to know the exact distance between their car and cyclists.
- wiredfool 12y agoUntil you have a handle on that, perhaps you should just leave a bunch of extra space.
- sliverstorm 12y agoI have a handle on the amount of space I appreciate as a bicyclist, and that's what I give to other bicyclists. I don't know how many feet it is. Accurately measuring feet with your eyes is hardly a prerequisite to safe driving. Do you measure your following distance in feet, or time & intuition for your own stopping speed?
- anigbrowl 12y agoWhy not perform some measurements the next time you get on your bicycle, which might make you a better cyclist and driver? I think that you probably know quite well how much space that is and are quite well able to estimate a 3 foot distance too. Nobody is asking you to maintain logs of your intra-vehicular distance for all your travels.
- dllthomas 12y agoI don't necessarily disagree, but I would point out that there's a difference between knowing how much space there is relative to the likely movement of either vehicle (which is what's important for safety) and knowing how much space there is relative to a yardstick.
- baddox 12y agoObviously drivers should err on the side of more space. I have passed plenty of cyclists in an automobile, and I believe that I have always done so safely, but I can't confidently estimate the exact distance I put between the car and the cyclist.
- jfmiller28 12y agoHere is a good rule of thumb. Three feet is about the swing of a car door. If you can park next to another car and your passenger can get out without denting the car next to you that's three feet. I commute by bike daily and 100s of cars a week manage to pass me safely. It is not that hard and has been common sense for 99% of all drivers who pass me even before this law. It is that one super-sized SUV who passes me with mere inches to spare while going 50 in a 35 zone.
- anigbrowl 12y agoOne that is not likely to destabilize the bicyclist in the best judgment of the driver. If you can't figure that out, then you should probably maintain a separation of greater than 3 feet.
- jfmiller28 12y ago22 other states say 15 MPH is reasonable in that situation. Our Governor was not so sure and would not let the bill through with an actual number in it.