Bicycle passing law
- Thread starter E biker
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Comfortably Numb
Well-Known Member
Duh......Enacting passing laws could hinder coal rolling. Couldn't have that.
CN
CN
john peck
Well-Known Member
I think you can still get a drivers license in Texas at 14. but maybe itĀ“s changed.I was suprised that these 5 states have no laws on safe passing a bicycle, Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, New Mexico, Texas. Strange.
I'm terrified to ride in the street in certain parts. I ride in the street and jump onto the sidewalk when I see a car coming up. Have good mirrors and watch them like a hawk! It's the main reason I quit riding road bikes.
And how will they enforce this law anyways? My 'hood is overflowing with expired paper plates (aka-30 day temp tags) and almost every accident involves an uninsured driver. It is funny when 2 clowns hit each other and neither has insurance!
If I recall its 3 feet to safely pass a bicycle. Our state also passed a 'whole lane usage' for bicycle riders. No thanks, I pick my battles more wisely now. Sidewalk when in doubt.
And how will they enforce this law anyways? My 'hood is overflowing with expired paper plates (aka-30 day temp tags) and almost every accident involves an uninsured driver. It is funny when 2 clowns hit each other and neither has insurance!
If I recall its 3 feet to safely pass a bicycle. Our state also passed a 'whole lane usage' for bicycle riders. No thanks, I pick my battles more wisely now. Sidewalk when in doubt.
California Flash
Member
- Region
- USA
Michigan has a three foot passing law. Efforts are underway by the bicycle community to change that to five feet. Many communities have enacted their own five foot ordinances.
Bicyclist Safety
www.michigan.gov
Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL): Bicycles and the Law - League of Michigan Bicyclists
Local ordinances generally may not supersede the MCL unless specified in state statute. Is a bicycle considered a vehicle in Michigan? No. MCL 257.79 defines a āvehicleā as: āevery device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except...
lmb.org
- Is there a three-foot passing law in Michigan? Can a driver pass bicyclists in no-passing zones?
(2) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance of at least 3 feet to the left of that bicycle or, if it is impracticable to pass the bicycle at a distance of 3 feet to the left, at a safe distance to the left of that bicycle at a safe speed, and when safely clear of the overtaken bicycle shall take up a position as near the right-hand edge of the main traveled portion of the highway as is practicable.
(3) Notwithstanding section 640, if it is safe to do so, the driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction may overtake and pass the bicycle in a no-passing zone.
(4) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.
At least nine communities in Michigan have enacted local five-foot passing ordinances, including Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Twp, Muskegon, Norton Shores, Oshtemo Twp, and Portage. It is LMBās interpretation of Michigan case law that the stateās three-foot passing law does not preempt local five-foot ordinances.
MCL also addresses when a bicyclist is riding in the leftmost lane of a one-way street, or moving away from the right side of road to prepare to make a left turn.
MCL 257.637 states:
(3) The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall, when otherwise permitted by this section, pass at a distance of 3 feet to the right of that bicycle or, if it is impracticable to pass the bicycle at a distance of 3 feet to the right, at a safe distance to the right of that bicycle at a safe speed.
(4) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.
This law does not allow motorists to pass to the right of a bicyclist when they are riding as far to the right as practicable or taking the lane. The Michigan Vehicle Code prohibits motorists from leaving the roadway onto the shoulder to pass a vehicle, including a bicyclist.
ruffruff
Well-Known Member
Mn has a farm permit that is age 15. When I was a kid it was 14 and I had one.I think you can still get a drivers license in Texas at 14. but maybe itĀ“s changed.
Of course you could only use it for "farm chores".
mschwett
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
only if you kill less than 4 cyclists per year when you're 13!I think you can still get a drivers license in Texas at 14. but maybe itĀ“s changed.
Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
Took me a while to find the info, but here is Nevada's Bike laws: see info here,
We also have the 3' passing rule, some divers don't know how to measure....LOL,
now I know the reason for the pool noodles sticking 3' on the left side of the bike.....,
and we can have the whole lane, but no more than 2 abreast per lane, and if there is 5 or more vehicles back up behind you, the cyclist must pull off the road (when safe to do so) and let the backed up traffic pass.
Tia,
Don
We also have the 3' passing rule, some divers don't know how to measure....LOL,
now I know the reason for the pool noodles sticking 3' on the left side of the bike.....,
and we can have the whole lane, but no more than 2 abreast per lane, and if there is 5 or more vehicles back up behind you, the cyclist must pull off the road (when safe to do so) and let the backed up traffic pass.
Tia,
Don
john peck
Well-Known Member
I imagine most drivers arenĀ“t even aware thereĀ“s a passing law for bikes.
They should be, at least in my state, as there are plenty of signs along the roads to explain it to them. Doesn't mean they follow them of course.
Slaphappygamer
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Aptos
There is a cyclist I see, from time to time, in my morning commute. They have a pool noodle strapped, horizontally, to their rear rack. This is a measure?
mikeschn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- SE Michigan
In our area they have to keep building bike paths because the street are not safe. Ask @rochrunner about Indianwood Rd, or even Lapeer Rd. And that's just the roads close to me. I imagine @rochrunner has the same issues in his neighborhood.
Mike...
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mschwett
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
not so much a measure as visual warning to cars illustrating the closest theyāre legally allowed to get.
if i had one iād attach some rotating steel wool to the end.
BEC111
Well-Known Member
You do have to learn this stuff to get a learnerās permit in most states. But thatās only once and if like me, you got that permit nearly 60 years ago the relevant laws have changed and most of us donāt keep up to date unless your locality publisizes the changes and folks bother to see the notices.Imagine if you had to learn this stuff to get your driver's license?
Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
I have mine set up as follows,
15" from the center to the end of the handle bar + 3' for NV state laws of 3', minimum passing distance, Plus I have a metal marking crayon fitted inside a piece of 1/2" PVC plastic pipe to the very end, and this PVC pipe is slide inside the Poole noddle full length, to keep it straight, as wind pressure will bow the PN.
When I get hit, there will be evidence for the state Troopers to work with.
There is also this Bright NEON type of flag fasten right at the end, flapping in the wind,
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FHXNK9Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=A39LEPI4CRDSJA&psc=1,
plus a Flashing RED tail lite for night time rides, gets too hot in the day time.
Tia,
Don
rich c
Well-Known Member
Road death about an hour north of me. Curious they listed electric bicycle in the story. https://www.starvedrock.media/wlpo/...cle_1cfc7a46-cfe5-11ec-ad95-4f549614756d.html
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