3 Feet: It’s the Law

What the Law says: The John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety Act

Keep in mind, this is an ABBREVIATED version* of JPF Bicycle Safety Act: Effective July 2010.    For your reference, you can find the law in it’s entirety HERE.  

NOTE:  According to the law: Anyone riding a bicycle on a roadway has the same rights as a driver operating a vehicle!

Bicyclists: Rights and Responsibilities

• Ride Right (and WITH Traffic)

• Bicyclists must ride as close as practical to the right hand curb/edge of roadway except when:
• Unsafe to do so
• When passing another bicycle or vehicle
• When preparing for a left turn
• When proceeding straight where right turns are permitted and
• When necessary to avoid hazardous conditions

• No more than 2 abreast:
• Bicyclists may not ride more than two abreast except when on roads exclusively for bicycles.

• Indicate Turns:
• Bicyclists shall indicate right turns, left turns and stops with hand signals before taking action.
• Right turn: left arm upward, left arm to square or right arm horizontal to right.
• Left turn: Left arm extended horizontally
• Stop: left arm or right arm downward.

Motorists: Rights and Responsibilities

Passing:

• When passing a bicyclist, motorists shall leave not less than three (3) feet between vehicle and bicycle AND shall maintain three (3) feet minim clearance until safely past the bicycle.
• Motorists may pass a bicycle in a non-passing zone ONLY when it is safe to do so.
• Motorists passing a bicycle may NOT make a right turn unless turn can be made with reasonable safety.

Anti-Harassment:

• It is unlawful to harass, taunt or maliciously throw an object at or in the direction of anyone riding a bicycle. This is a fineable offense of up to $2,500 and 7 days jail time.