(Updated Feb. 17, 2009; see also "Six states seeking 3-foot clearance for bicycles")
Laws that require motorists to give bicycle riders 3 feet of space when passing always sound like a good idea to me. It allows manuevering room for cyclists and reduces the air turbulence caused by passing vehicles.
As bicycle advocates work to get these laws passed state by state, I've noticed there's some confusion about which states already have these laws on the books. So I did a little research.
I found that 12 state legislatures have passed 3-foot laws. They are Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin. Five others recommend 3 feet in driver's manuals. (Connecticut, New Hampshire enacted in 2008.)
Meanwhile, at least five states have 3-foot laws in state legislatures in 2009 -- Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington. Here's the breakdown with links:
3-foot clearance
Arizona: "When overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction, a person driving a motor vehicle shall exercise due care by leaving a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet ..." Sets fines if violation causes death or injury. (Doesn't apply if bicyclist is not using an adjacent bike lane or bike path.) Enacted in 2000.
Arkansas: "... pass to the left at a safe distance of not less 3 feet..." Sets fines in case of death or injury. Enacted in 2007.
Connecticut: "... safe distance means not less than three feet when the driver of a vehicle overtakes and passes a person riding a bicycle." (Enacted 2008)
Florida: "... must pass the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle at a safe distance of not less than 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle." See also Florida Bicycle Law guide published by the Florida Bicycle Association. Enacted 2006.
Illinois: "... leave a safe distance, but not less than 3 feet..." Enacted 2007.
Maine: "... exercise due care by leaving a distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than 3 feet ..." See also Bicycle Coalition of Maine: New Bicycle Laws. Enacted 2007.
Minnesota: " ... shall leave a safe distance, but in no case less than three feet
clearance, when passing the bicycle or individual ..." Enacted 2004.
New Hampshire: "... the distance shall be deemed to be reasonable and prudent if it is at leat 3 feet when the vehicle is traveling at 30 mph or less, with one additional foot of clearance for every 10 mph above 30 mph." (Enacted 2008)
Oklahoma: "... exercise due care by leaving a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three (3) feet until the motor vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle." Enacted 2006
Tennessee: Creates a subsection known as "Jeff Roth and Brian Brown Bicycle Protection Act of 2007 ... shall leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle and bicycle bof not less than three feet and shall maintain such clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle." Enacted 2007
Utah: "An operator of a motor vehicle may not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly operate a motor vehicle within three feet of a moving bicycle, unless the operator of the motor vehicle operates the motor vehicle within a reasonable and safe distance of the bicycle." Enacted 2006
Wisconsin: "... shall exercise due care, leaving a safe distance, but in no case less than 3 feet clearance when passing the bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device..." Enacted 1973 (!). See also Safety and Consumer Protection: Motorist reminders... "Leave at least three feet when passing bicycles, more room at higher speeds."
Special note
South Carolina enacted a law in 2008 that requires a "safe operating distance" (not 3 feet per se).
Drivers' manuals
Kentucky: "Pass a cyclist only when it can be done safely, and give ample room (3 feet) between your car and the cyclist. ... Give the cyclist extra room if your vehicle has extended outside review mirrors." -- page 66
Washington: "Space for bicyclists: ... Allow three feet of space when overtaking or passing a bicyclist..." -- pages 78 and 79.
Kansas: "When passing a bicyclist use extreme caution and pass four feet to the left of the bicyclist." -- page 24.
Texas: Although there's no guidance for automobile, it is recommended that trucks and other large vehicles give six feet of clearance. "You should always allow at least six feet to the left of the two-wheeled vehicle when you are passing." -- page 15-20.
Louisiana: Page 64.
-- Both Safe Route Connection.org and Arizona Bike Law blog had information that I relied upon in creating this list. The Safe Route Connection website has a state-by-state list of vehicle passing laws related to bicycles.
State laws under consideration in 2009
Colorado (passed and signed into law)
Louisiana (passed and signed into law)
Texas (passed, but Gov. Nick Perry vetoed)
Previously under consideration
Hawaii: SB 2892 -- For any motor vehicle passing a bicyclist, a safe distance shall be not less than 3 feet, except that a bicyclist may reasonably leave a bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions. Check status.
New Hampshire: HB 1203 -- The distance shall be presumed to be reasonable and prudent if it is at least 3 feet when the vehicle is traveling at 30 miles per hour or less, with one additional foot of clearance required for every 10 miles per hour above 30 miles per hour. Check status at Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire or QuickBill search.
Ohio: HB 390 -- "When the operator of a vehicle or trackless trolley overtakes a bicycle or other slow vehicle, the operator shall pass at a distance of not less than three feet between the vehicle or trackless trolley and the bicycle or other slow vehicle." Check updates at Ohio House bill status
South Carolina: HB 3006 -- "An operator of a motor vehicle shall allow a safe operating distance between the motor vehicle and a bicycle when passing and overtaking a bicyclist." This bill passed the House and became SB 0354. Check Palmetto Cycling Coalition for updates. (Passed out of Senate committee on April 23, 2008 -- The State.)(Signed into law June 10, 2008 -- AP)
Vermont: H.578 -- "An operator of a motor vehicle that is passing a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction shall exercise due care by leaving a distance between the motor vehicle and the bicyclist of not less than three feet while the motor vehicle is passing the bicycle. Additionally, the operator of a vehicle that passes a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction may not make a right turn at any intersection or into any highway or driveway unless the turn can be made with reasonable safety." Also S. 275. Check status at Vermont bill tracking.
Washington: HB 2732 -- "The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian or bicycle that is on the roadway or on the right-hand shoulder or bicycle lane of the roadway shall pass to the left at a safe distance, of no less than three feet, to clearly avoid coming into contact with the pedetrian or bicyclist...." Check for updates at Washington legislature bill search or Bicycle Alliance of Washington bill watch.
-- This list of 3-foot passing bills considered in state legislatures was compiled in part with information provided by the National Bike Summit published by League of American Bicyclists.
