3-feet law
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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 (0.91 m) when passing bicycles. This policy has garnered considerable attention in various state legislatures worldwide.
United States
[edit]Wisconsin became the first U.S. state to implement this law in 1973, and since then, 34 other states have adopted it.[1]
Skepticism
[edit]However, some people[who?] question whether such laws can be effectively enforced and if 3 feet (0.91 m) provides sufficient space for cyclists. Some cyclists[who?] also argue that laws requiring them to ride on the edge of a lane may increase the risk of dooring and encountering debris.[1]
Advocacy
[edit]There are also several campaigns and organizations[which?] in the US advocating for this change, using methods such as cycling jerseys with text and lobbying the government to install road signs.[2][3] 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,[4] 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.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Safely Passing Bicyclists Chart". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
- ^ "Give 3 Feet | Cascade Bicycle Club". cascade.org. Archived from the original on 2023-08-14. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
- ^ "3 Feet Please". 3 Feet Please. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
- ^ "The Highway Code – Using the road (159 to 203) – Guidance – GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
- ^ "Half of all drivers unaware of Highway Code advice on safe passing cyclists | Cycling UK". www.cyclinguk.org. Retrieved 2023-07-16.