Comments on: New Bike Laws

By: Rob R.

Rob R. — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:33:58 +0000

“How is a driver supposed to give 3 feet clearance when the cyclist is already 4 feet into the lane?”

A driver can pass a cyclist safely by waiting until it is safe to pass. It’s really simple. The laws and techniques for passing other vehicles are well established and easy to follow.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:43:29 +0000

I think you should be able to ride on both sides of the bike lines and I do belive there are people who agree with me.

By: Crooked Cog Podcast » Blog Archive » Episode #7: Matt Conto from Tifosi Optics | Let’s talk about bikes

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 16:33:44 +0000

[...] New bike laws [...]

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 07:08:39 +0000

How is a driver supposed to give 3 feet clearance when the cyclist is already 4 feet into the lane? Maybe there should be a law to keep a cyclist on the white line instead of in the lane.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 04:37:38 +0000

This 3-foot rule is a solid measure, which beats the heck out of ‘reasonable’, which defines nothing at all. If we get that rule, and anyone breaks it, I will photograph their car/plate and report it to both the police and the media.

Hey, if I ever get hit by a car, (and I live) I will not only file criminal charges, I will sue the F-ing sh*t out of the motorist. It seems to be the only way to get any justice. When the motorist has to second mortgage their house/trailer to pay me, I hope he undertands he made a mistake.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 18:43:47 +0000

The 3 foot passing law was defeated in Texas last year, and I don’t know if it passed this year or not.

From what I read it was not really geared to be enforceable on its own, but rather designed to be used to charge a motorist with a valid motor vehicle violation if the motorist hit a cyclist. As messed up as it sounds, in Texas right now, a motorist can hit a cyclist and not even get a ticket.

By: Rob R.

Rob R. — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:44:53 +0000

This law was passed in Minnesota several years ago and nothing has changed. There is no awareness of the law on the part of auto drivers and there is no enforcement.

It’s similar to a law that requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. It almost never happens and I’ve never heard of it being enforced.

Laws without corresponding enforcement are a waste.

By: Peyton

Peyton — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:53:14 +0000

Just starting to commute to work, I’ve noticed a few drivers cutting things close. Most drivers, however, give plenty of room, thank god. I one issue that has risen, is the city, Mount Airy, NC, won’t allow parking of bikes outside the new public restrooms on Main Street while using the facilities. I’ve even had a custodian summon police. There aren’t any laws to prohibit such parking. The city now has erected signs banning bikes, and only bikes. All I have figure out is how to approch the city on this matter. Hell, I’d even help install a rack, if I could just find one cheap.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:10:47 +0000

I live in GA and there’s a woman who is constantly coming too close to me on my morning commute, like both of us somehow squeeze between the fog and the double yellow line (just like Ashley’s situation). She drives a silver Isuzu SUV. Now that I know about this law, I may have her called in next time. I seriously have about been ridden off of the road. However, I do have my doubts as to whether or not the law will be inforced, or that my complaint will be taken seriously by the local sheriffs.

By: Tim Grahl

Tim Grahl — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:42:08 +0000

Yeah I think we have all been in this kind of situation, and I honestly can’t see police keeping an eye out to make sure motorists are leaving a three foot gap. There are plenty of other driving laws that are routinly broken that are never acted upon but law enforcement.

Like I said, I just hope this brings more awareness to people that bikes really do belong on the road and not “somewhere else” even though there never seems to be an answer for where that “somewhere else” is supposed to be.