A new California law recently went into effect to prevent car-versus-bikes crashes and requires motorists to keep a 3-feet buffer when passing cyclists.
A long-standing law required drivers passing cyclists to maintain a safe distance, but it failed to define just how big that space had to be. Now, California joins 24 other states that have similar laws.
The law does not require motorists to stay behind cyclists until a narrow road ends or widens — but allows a driver to pass within 3 feet if he slows down to a safe speed.
Bike advocates say they hope the law will reduce accidents and ease tensions between bicyclists and drivers who share urban and rural roads.
Here is how the law works:
- The law applies to any place a vehicle passes a bicyclist, regardless of whether there is a bike lane in the road.
- A law enforcement officer must witness a violation to issue a fine. Bystanders’ accounts or video recordings made by the bicyclist — on a cellphone, for example — are not admissible.
- Violators face at least a $35 fine, and a $220 fine if a collision occurs. Both can increase when court fees are added.
- There is one exception to the new law: If there is not enough room for a driver to give three feet of space. In that case, they must first slow down before safely passing.
Here are a few more examples of laws for bicyclists, some specific to Los Angeles County, that you should be aware of:
- Bikers must obey traffic signs and signals like every other vehicle.
- Many cities have different rules. Biking on the sidewalks in Los Angeles is permitted, for example, but cross into the cities of Beverly Hills or Santa Monica and it is illegal.
- You can wear earphones or headphones, but must have one ear open to traffic at all times.
- Riding while talking on a cell phone is permitted.
- If you are a driver and need to make a right turn on a road with a bike lane, safely cross into the right turn lane if there is one. Otherwise, merge into the bike lane before the intersection. Never turn across lanes.
For more information on bicycle safety, the California DMV publishes its own guide and the California Bike Coalition has a list of rules that apply across the State.
