Quick refrence map of safe passing distance by state.
03-17-18, 03:55 PM
#1
Ex Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Quick refrence map of safe passing distance by state.
https://www.ncsl.org/research/transpo...icyclists.aspx
Could be useful for any of you looking to do some summer traveling outside of your own state.
3 feet is the rule for most states with a rule. Might be safer to avoid white states if you can.
Could be useful for any of you looking to do some summer traveling outside of your own state.
3 feet is the rule for most states with a rule. Might be safer to avoid white states if you can.
03-17-18, 10:55 PM
#2
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,734
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11067 Post(s)
Liked 7,634 Times
in
4,256 Posts
Huh. Iowa sure used to have verbage that stated a 'safe distsnce' must be given.
03-18-18, 05:02 AM
#3
Senior Member
So is the determination of whether they are giving 2, 3, 4, or 6 feet. Most drivers are not capable of accurately assessing just how far the right side of their vehicle is from the edge of the roadway, or something they are passing.
03-18-18, 11:33 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 7,048
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
8 Posts
Oregon's law is weird, to say the least. When there is a marked bike lane or the speed limit is below 35 mph, the law only requires that you not hit the cyclist as you pass. If there is no bike lane and the speed is above 35 mph, then the passing distance goes up to "a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver’s lane of traffic." That going to be about six feet. Sadly, to my knowledge this aspect of ORS 811.065 has never been enforced.
03-18-18, 11:40 PM
#5
Senior Member
The PA 4 foot law was passed relatively recently. I'd say about half of motorists ignore it and pass within 2 feet.
03-18-18, 11:59 PM
#6
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13659 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
Bottom line, if you are anywhere close... you are too close.
03-19-18, 03:00 AM
#7
Cycle Year Round
Hawaii may get 3 feet soon. We will see, failed before but up for vote again.
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
03-19-18, 03:12 AM
#8
Pokemon Master
Thanks for the map.
03-19-18, 07:32 AM
#9
Full Member
The Kentucky legislature just passed a three foot law.
03-19-18, 02:49 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
I agree. Someone might claim that they thought a foot & a half at 50 MPH was enough room. Or someone might claim that mere inches at any speed is minimum safe distance as long as you don't hit the cyclist.
03-19-18, 09:51 PM
#11
Senior Member
Maryland is three feet. But drivers' here don't care. They choose to take the risk of passing me when it isn't wise.
03-20-18, 02:24 AM
#12
Cycle Year Round
03-23-18, 10:55 AM
#13
What happened?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
255 Posts
It helps if you are paying attention to what's behind you, around and over you (in case the birds are sarcastic)...can't just look forward only.
PS Don't look UP though.
PS Don't look UP though.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
03-26-18, 03:26 AM
#14
What happened?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
255 Posts
Oregon's law is weird, to say the least. When there is a marked bike lane or the speed limit is below 35 mph, the law only requires that you not hit the cyclist as you pass. If there is no bike lane and the speed is above 35 mph, then the passing distance goes up to "a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver’s lane of traffic." That going to be about six feet. Sadly, to my knowledge this aspect of ORS 811.065 has never been enforced.
We only have a couple bike lanes in Ontario anyway...turning the old California Ave/SW 4th Ave into a four lane with turn lane meant removing a lot of frontage from several businesses and when you were a Massey Ferguson dealer that was a big deal. After that it was a Chevy dealership and now it's a charity thrift store.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
03-26-18, 03:28 AM
#15
What happened?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
255 Posts
But if you look up...okay, I guess that got by you.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
yashinon
Advocacy & Safety
0
03-02-16 09:34 PM
hotbike
Advocacy & Safety
11
09-19-10 11:24 AM
