On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the “Three Feet for Safety Act” goes into effect. The new California law aims to keep cyclists safe by requiring motorists to stay at least three feet away when passing a bicycle that is proceeding in the same direction.
“If the driver of a motor vehicle is unable to comply … due to traffic or roadway conditions, the driver shall slow to a speed that is reasonable and prudent, and may pass only when doing so would not endanger the safety of the operator of the bicycle, taking into account the size and speed of the motor vehicle and bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and surface and width of the highway,” the law states. [View the full text here].
Drivers who fail to give at least three feet of clearance when passing bicyclists may face a $35 fine; and if the offense results in a collision causing injury to the bicyclist, a $220 fine shall be imposed on the driver, according to the new law.
The California Highway Patrol has launched a “Three Feet for Safety Act” awareness campaign with tips for motorists and bicyclists to stay safe and uninjured on the roadways.
Tips for motorists:
Expect people bicycling on the roadway. Bicyclists have the right to use all roads except those from which they are officially excluded.
Reduce your speed. When passing bicyclists, slow down. Air pressure from vehicles passing bicyclists, especially trucks and buses, can “push” a bicyclist over just by the wind created by passing at high speed.
Look for people bicycling. When preparing to enter the roadway or make a turn, look carefully for oncoming bicyclists. Many bicyclists are capable of speeds in excess of 25 miles per hour.
Give at least three feet. Do not overtake or pass a person bicycling too closely. California law requires a standard minimum distance of three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator.
Have patience. Be aware that when a lane is too narrow for vehicles and bikes to be safely side by side, bicyclist should ride in or near the center of that lane to discourage motorists from unsafe passing.
Tips for bicycling on the road:
Go with the traffic flow. Ride on the right in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic. Go with the flow, not against it.
Obey all traffic laws. Stop at red lights and stop signs and yield to pedestrians.
Be predictable. Ride in a straight line, not swerving in and out between parked cars. Signal your moves to motorists, other bicyclists, and pedestrians to let them know what to expect.
Increase your visibility. Wear fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day, dawn, and dusk. When you ride at night, you must have a white headlight and red lights or reflectors on the back of your bike, white or yellow reflector on each pedal or a bicyclist’s shoe or ankles, and side reflectors (unless the bicycle is equipped with reflectorized tires.). (CVC 21201)
Stay alert at all times. Use your eyes and ears. Watch out for potholes, cracks, wet leaves, storm grates, railroad tracks, or anything that could make you lose control and fall. To be able to listen for dangerous situations, do not use headphones or earplugs in both ears while riding. (CVC 27400)
Look before turning. When turning or changing lanes, always look behind you for a break in traffic, signal, and then check again before making the turn. As you approach intersections, be aware of the people behind, beside, and in front of you who may try to cross your path. Watch out for left or right-turning traffic; these are the most frequent motorist-caused bicycle crashes.
Watch for parked cars. Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars (drivers may pull out in front of you or open a door in your path.)
Give and get respect. Allow faster traffic to pass when it’s safe; avoid needlessly blocking the road.
For more information on the “Three Feet for Safety Act,” visit the California Department of Motor Vehicles online.
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Nancy P says
How about the City giving (free) bike safety riding lessons at any of the many vacant parking lots or at the fair grounds? Participants could be grouped by age or riding skill.
yo says
Well the bicyclists need to stay to the far right, instead of in the middle of the damn road!
Carlene says
I have saved and will continue to save a ton of money by relying on people-powered transportation in the Antelope Valley. It has also made me much healthier. I don’t know why more people out here aren’t reducing their reliance on cars when they are just going around town. You can get an awesome cargo bike that will allow you to carry a ton of stuff and even add a trailer. You can get an adult dual tricycle and ride with another adult or child. Check out the website of the oldest bike manufacturer in the U.S., Worksman or Public and see all of great alternative transportation offerings they have. If you are not rich, like most of us stuck here in the AV, why would you want to spend the meager amount of money you can spend on a crappy used car that will cost you a ton to fuel, maintain and insure, when you can alternatively, purchase a good, steel-frame bike or trike that will last for generations and require simple, less expensive repairs? I am a single mom who takes my child to school using alternative transportation and I don’t miss driving. I am glad that this new rule will help keep us all safer on the road and I hope it encourages more people out here to ride a bike.
AV sucks says
Now, all 3 bicyclists in the Can’telope Valley can breathe a sigh of relief
Joe says
More laws for the motorist and not for the bicyclist! So when bicyclists are riding side by side does that mean the motorist is 6 feet out now???? Where is the law that they must be single file, one behind the other!!!!!!!!!!!???????????
William says
Good point.
Greg says
Here is a site that has most of the California bicycle laws explained la-bike.org/resources/california-bicycle-laws
Bill says
Look in the CVC – it is no where illegal for 2 or more motorcycles or bicycles to share a lane any more than for a motorist to share a lane with a bicyclist. Just change lanes & pass with 3 feet or more on the outside of the left most bicyclist like you did under CVC 21750 … or change lanes when safe & pass with a full lane!
DM says
To the cyclist that was going east on Ave F at 60th W. Saturday morning about 9:00… If I had been going a little faster, you would be dead for running that stop sign. :o( Kinda like playing chicken with a train – wise up!
Joe says
What about the idiots zipping around on the little pocket bikes ignoring stop signs and running at top speed without lights at night. Will they be required to obey the law??
Greg says
They are already REQUIRED to follow the law. They choose to disobey the law, just like all the drivers passing on double yellow zones, running stop signs, speeding, etc. Officers can not be everywhere all the time, so your duty as a citizen is to report the offenders and hopefully an officer investigates and catches them. As I have learned, even if you have them on camera breaking the law, it does not matter unless the officer sees it or an accident occurs.
daniel says
What about all these young riders riding Palmdale streets extremely unsafely? They cross red lights, go against traffic, cross the middle of streets with plenty of traffic going by and much more. It’s like they’re steering for a car to hit them but, we know that’s not what they want. It really needs be stopped. I am so surprised we have not heard of injuries or deaths because of their riding habits. It really scares me to see them ride so dangerously.
john says
Unfortunately there are unsafe cyclists just as there are unsafe motorists. The majority of mature cyclists obey the law, give motorists as much room as possible, and are considerate just as the majority of motorists are. In fact most mature cyclists are also motorists and we expect to get respect whether we are on a bike or in a motor vehicle. Motorists need to be more aware of their actions when approaching cyclists. If the vehicle is traveling fast, too close, or erratic you are putting the cyclists life at risk in addition to breaking the law. I should also mention that the fine may only be $35 for a first offense BUT the CA Highway Patrol has stated that after adding court costs and other charges the fine will actually be more than $200! Subsequent offenses escalate the penal considerable. By the way, lawful cyclists have the same problems with other cyclists who ride the wrong way, for us it’s a head on crash in the making and we are against it!
Bill says
…so ask your school district to teach basic traffic safety & ask your local police to get out of their cars & educate / enforce illegal & dangerous riding behavior!