3-feet law
{{Short description|Law for motor vehicles passing bicycles}}
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The 3-feet law, also known as the 3-foot law or the safe passing law, is a bicycle law requiring motor vehicles to allow a distance of approximately 3 feet (0.91m) when passing bicycles. This policy has garnered considerable attention in various state legislatures worldwide.
United States
Skepticism
However, some people{{who|date=July 2023}} question whether such laws can be effectively enforced and if {{convert|3|feet}} provides sufficient space for cyclists. Some cyclists{{who|date=July 2023}} also argue that laws requiring them to ride on the edge of a lane may increase the risk of dooring and encountering debris.{{Cite web |title=Safely Passing Bicyclists Chart |url=https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/safely-passing-bicyclists-chart |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=www.ncsl.org}}
Advocacy
There are also several campaigns and organizations{{which|date=July 2023}} in the US advocating for this change, using methods such as cycling jerseys with text and lobbying the government to install road signs.{{Cite web |title=Give 3 Feet {{!}} Cascade Bicycle Club |url=https://cascade.org/give-3-feet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814174654/https://cascade.org/give-3-feet |archive-date=2023-08-14 |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=cascade.org}}{{Cite web |title=3 Feet Please |url=https://3feetplease.org/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=3 Feet Please |language=en-US}} In the United Kingdom, a 2018 survey conducted for Cycling UK found that more than 50% of British adults were unaware of the Highway Code regulations regarding overtaking cyclists,{{Cite web |title=The Highway Code – Using the road (159 to 203) – Guidance – GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=www.gov.uk |language=en}} and 1 in 10 would leave cyclists a dangerously small amount of space when overtaking. The same organization also initiated a campaign to provide police forces across the UK with close pass mats to educate the public about safe passing.{{Cite web |title=Half of all drivers unaware of Highway Code advice on safe passing cyclists {{!}} Cycling UK |url=https://www.cyclinguk.org/press-release/half-all-drivers-unaware-highway-code-advice-safe-passing-cyclists |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=www.cyclinguk.org}}
See also
References
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External links
- [https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/safely-passing-bicyclists-chart Safely Passing Bicyclists]
- [https://www.nhtsa.gov/book/countermeasures-that-work/bicycle-safety/countermeasures/legislation-and-licensing/motorist-passing-bicyclist-laws Motorists Passing Bicyclists Law (US)]
- [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203 Highway Code Overtaking Rules (UK)]