On September 16th, 2014, a new law came to California, known as the "3 Feet For Safety Law." The purpose of this law is to save the lives of bicyclists as they use our beautiful roadways for commuting, exercising and recreation. It is the intention of the Azusa Police Department to support this law through both educational and enforcement means.
What Is The "3 Feet For Safety Law?"
This law essentially states that motorists will leave 3' between their vehicle and any part of a bicyclist, as they pass the bicyclist traveling in the same direction. There are some further directions, as outlined in California Vehicle Code Section 21760, which states:
21760 (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Three Feet for Safety Act.
(b) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking and passing a bicycle that is proceeding in the same direction on a highway shall pass in compliance with the requirements of this article applicable to overtaking and passing a vehicle, and shall do so at a safe distance that does not interfere with the safe operation of the overtaken bicycle, having due regard for the size and speed of the motor vehicle and the bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and the surface and width of the highway.
(c) A driver of a motor vehicle shall not overtake or pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a highway at a distance of less than three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator.
(d) If the driver of a motor vehicle is unable to comply with subdivision (c), due to traffic or roadway conditions, the driver shall slow to a speed that is reasonable and prudent, and may pass only when doing so would not endanger the safety of the operator of the bicycle, taking into account the size and speed of the motor vehicle and bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and surface and width of the highway.
(e) (1) A violation of subdivision (b), (c), or (d) is an infraction punishable by a fine of thirty-five dollars ($35).
(2) If a collision occurs between a motor vehicle and a bicycle causing bodily injury to the operator of the bicycle, and the driver of the motor vehicle is found to be in violation of subdivision (b), (c), or (d), a two-hundred-twenty-dollar ($220) fine shall be imposed on that driver.
(f) This section shall become operative on September 16, 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question to read the answer.
Is there a law about where bicycles should be on the roadway?
(a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a “substandard width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
(b) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway of a highway, which highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable.
So bicycles should be next to the curb, right?
Although the law specifies cyclists are to ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, this is often misunderstood by the motoring public. In this case, “practicable” means, as close to the right edge as is safe and reasonable under existing or probable conditions. This is quite different from, nor does it mean, as close as possible to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.
A person operating a motor vehicle decides whether they will drive over a pot hole or around some broken glass as they proceed on a road. Cyclists have this same right and responsibility. They are allowed to decide what they feel is safe for them to ride over. After all, who better to judge what is considered safe for a cyclist other than him or herself?
Don't cyclists have an obligation to move over, and get out of the way of traffic?
When a semi-truck or construction vehicle turns onto a roadway, or begins accelerating from a stop, it takes these large vehicles a considerable distance to get up to speed. However, the motoring public either tolerates this and trails behind, or they change lanes and pass the vehicle.
Unfortunately, motorists place different expectations on cyclists, for some unknown reason. Sometimes, motorists can become irate and lose their patience.
And remember, the correct placement for a slow moving vehicle is in the right lane.
How much space does a bicycle actually take up on a roadway?
Click the photo to use an interactive graph about lane sharingThis is interesting, when you really think about it. Obviously, depending on the size of the rider and bicycle, the width of a cyclist is about 3 feet. Since no one can ride a bicycle in a perfectly straight line for more than a few inches or feet, there is some sway or "give" we need to take into account. This is the natural leaning and continual correction of the front wheel as the cyclist continues down a roadway. If we give them a mere 12 inches on each side, this now brings the width of a cyclist to being almost 5 feet. Now, you have to consider the placement of the bicycle on the roadway. If the safest place for the cyclist to ride just happens to be 2 feet left of the right edge or curb of the roadway, this raises the space needed to being 7 feet. When you add in the 3 feet law, you end up with a total of 10 feet. Some lanes here in California have been measured to be as small as 11 feet to 14 feet wide. With 1 to 4 feet left to spare in a lane, we aren't aware of any commercially manufactured vehicle which could fit along side a cyclist, in a lane this small.
A bicyclist definitely needs more than 3 feet on the roadway!
TIP: Click on the image to the right. Follow the instructions on the iamtraffic website to use an interactive graph to see how the widths of vehicles play a major part in cyclist's safe use of roadway lanes.
Have More Questions?
Please visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/AzusaPD and click on any of the posts about this law, to submit a comment. You can also visit our forum here on our website.
"If we both do our part, we can safely enjoy Azusa's beautiful roadways together, as a community."