More states giving three feet for bicycles

USA Today reports that a growing number of states are passing 3 feet minimum safe passing laws (story here) to better protect people riding bicycles.  Your Bicycle Coalition is educating drivers to give at least three fee when passing bicyclists, starting with an ad campaign you'll see soon on MARTA buses.  And you can help!  Order a "Give 3 Feet" yard sign (FREE if you pick up at ABC or an event), coming soon! Or sign up to take part in our Share the Road Challenge on Sept 7th. Read more for information on states with 3 feet passing laws.

[From the article] States currently considering three feet safe passing laws include

• Louisiana: 3 feet. Failure to give at least three feet when passing a cyclist results in a $50. There is also a measure outlawing harassing cyclists.

•Wisconsin: used to have a law requiring cyclist to ride at least three feet away from parked cars - switched to require drivers to check for bicyclists before opening car doors.

•New Jersey:3 feet bill passed house, being considered by Senate.

•Texas: 3 feet.  But vetoed by the governor!

• Washington, D.C.: 3 feet

States with laws already on the books: 

Arkansas, Maine, Tennessee, Florida,
Connecticut, New Hampshire, Oregon, Illinois, Minnesota, Utah,
Wisconsin, Arizona and Oklahoma.

Interestingly, the article also notes that the commuting by bicycle is on the rise: from 483,145 in 2003 to 664,859 in 2007.  That's a 37.6% jump!