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Bill Would Codify 3-Foot Bicycle Passing Distance

By David Callahan

Illinois could become the eighth state to establish a minimum 3-foot distance by which a vehicle can pass a bicyclist.

Following the Senate’s approval last month of Senate Bill 80, the House will take up the measure to set a 3-foot clearance when passing a bicycle. SB 80 also codifies a bicyclist’s right to exercise some flexibility when determining how far to the right they should be riding.

It also exempts a bicyclist from having to stay to the right when approaching a corner where right turns are authorized. And it allows a rider to signal for right turns by simply extending their right arm.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Edward D. Maloney and was recommended by the League of Illinois Bicyclists.

SB 80 has much support behind it, including that of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, Illinois Chiefs of Police, and many bicycle groups throughout Illinois. Nevertheless, legislators need to hear from citizens who support the bill.

“Senate Bill 80 promotes, clarifies and standardizes safety procedures for both cyclists and motorists as pertaining to the use of streets and highways,” Maloney said.

Ed Barsotti, executive director of the League of Illinois Bicyclists, testified before the Senate Transportation Committee that many motorists aren’t aware of a minimum safe passing clearance, while others intentionally pass too closely to harass cyclists.

“The dangers created when motorists pass too closely can be a major hazard for bicyclists, and we feel clarifying that drivers must maintain a minimum 3-foot safety zone will help to reduce the incidence of accidents,” Barsotti told the committee.

This proposal creates no passing requirements that do not already exist. Instead, SB 80 clarifies existing law on safe passing distance, as applied to bikes.

The bill would also help prevent so-called “right-hook” crashes caused by motorists making right turns in front of bicyclists trying to keep to the right, since it allows bicyclists to move to the center of the lane or to the left of the lane where they’re less likely to get hit.

David Callahan is communications director for the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation