Bicycle safety laws for motor vehicle drivers in the United States

When driving alongside cyclists, extra precautions are required to reduce the risk of accidents and help everyone reach their destination safely.

Some general rules of the road may apply when driving around a cyclist, no matter what condition you are in, and include:

• Provide a "buffer zone" or safe space around the cyclist.
• Do not, under any circumstances, use the marked cycle path.
• Share the road when the bike lane is out of sight
• Treat a cyclist on the road like you would any other vehicle - with care and respect
• Pay attention to hand signals to turn, slow down and stop

Each state has specific regulations regarding the driving of cyclists. According to the NCSL state legislators, 38 states have laws regarding the safe distance around cyclists, while the remaining states have cyclists with pedestrians and "other road users." To ensure the safety of everyone, remember the special rules of the road wherever you plan to drive.

Below is a summary of the "safe distance" for each state (note that laws and regulations change frequently, and you should always contact each state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) directly for the most up-to-date information):

Alabama

• This Alabama law defines the safe distance for a vehicle overtaking and overtaking a bicycle to be at least 3 feet on a road with a marked bike lane or on a road without a marked bike lane if the specified speed limit is 45 mph. or less, and the roadway does not have a double yellow line separating cars from oncoming traffic, denoting a restricted area. In addition, cyclists must move within 2 feet of the right side of the road.

Alaska

• There are no state laws in Alaska that specifically address cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

Arizona

• Arizona law requires due care to leave a safe distance of at least 3 feet between a vehicle and a bicycle until the vehicle has passed the cyclist.

Арканзас

• Arkansas law requires due care to leave a safe distance of at least 3 feet between a vehicle and a bicycle until the vehicle has passed the cyclist.

California

• The driver of a car in California may not overtake or overtake a bicycle traveling in the same direction on the road with less than 3 feet between any part of the vehicle and the bicycle or its driver until it is safe and has completely passed the cyclist.

Colorado

• In Colorado, drivers must allow a cyclist at least 3 feet between the right side of the car and the left side of the cyclist, including mirrors and other objects protruding outwards.

Connecticut

• Drivers in Connecticut are required to leave a "safe distance" of at least 3 feet when a driver overtakes and overtakes a cyclist.

Delaware

• In Delaware, drivers must tread carefully, slowing down to safely overtake, leaving a reasonable amount of space (3 feet) when overtaking a cyclist.

Florida

• Florida drivers must pass a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle with at least 3 feet of space between the vehicle and the bicycle/non-motorized vehicle.

Georgia

• In Georgia, drivers must maintain a safe distance between a car and a bike, maintaining a safe distance of at least 3 feet until the car catches up with the cyclist.

Hawaii

• There are no state laws in Hawaii that specifically address cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

Idaho

• There are no state laws in Idaho that specifically address cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

Illinois

• In Illinois, drivers must leave a safe distance of at least 3 feet between a car and a cyclist and must maintain a safe distance until they have safely passed or overtaken the cyclist.

Indiana

• There are no state laws in Indiana that specifically address cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

Iowa

• Iowa has no state laws specifically relating to cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

Kansas

• In Kansas, drivers must pass a cyclist on the left by at least 3 feet and not drive on the right side of the road until the vehicle has passed the cyclist.

Kentucky

• There are no state laws in Kentucky that specifically address cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

Louisiana

• When driving in Louisiana, drivers must not overtake a cyclist less than 3 feet and must maintain a safe distance until the cyclist has passed safely.

Maine

• Drivers in Maine must not pass cyclists less than 3 feet apart.

Maryland

• Drivers in Maryland must never overtake cyclists who are less than 3 feet apart.

Massachusetts

• If the driver cannot overtake a bicycle or other vehicle at a safe distance in the same lane, if it is safe to do so, the overtaking vehicle must use all or part of the adjacent lane or wait until a safe distance. the opportunity to do so.

Michigan

• Michigan does not have state laws specifically relating to cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

Minnesota

• When driving in Minnesota, drivers must not pass a cyclist less than 3 feet and must maintain a safe distance until the cyclist passes safely.

Mississippi

• Drivers in Mississippi must not overtake a cyclist less than 3 feet and must maintain a safe distance until the cyclist has passed safely.

Missouri

• When driving in Missouri, drivers must not overtake a cyclist less than 3 feet and must maintain a safe distance until the cyclist has passed safely.

Montana

• Pass and overtake a person or cyclist in Montana only when the driver can do so safely without endangering the cyclist.

Nebraska

• In Nebraska, the driver of a vehicle overtaking or overtaking a bicycle traveling in the same direction must exercise due care, which includes (and is not limited to) maintaining a safe distance of at least 3 feet and maintaining clearance to safely overtake the cyclist. .

Nevada

• Drivers in Nevada must not pass a cyclist less than 3 feet and must maintain a safe distance until the cyclist has passed safely.

NH

• While in New Hampshire, drivers must leave a reasonable and prudent distance between a car and a cyclist. Space is based on speed travelled, with 3 feet being reasonable and prudent at 30 mph or less, adding one foot of clearance for every additional 10 mph above 30 mph.

New Jersey

• There are no state laws in the state of New Jersey that specifically address cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.
  
  

New Mexico

• New Mexico does not have state laws specifically relating to cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

New York * When overtaking a bicycle from behind traveling in the same direction, drivers in New York must pass to the left of the bicycle at a "safe distance" until it has passed safely and cleared.

North Carolina

• In North Carolina, the driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle traveling in the same direction must pass at least 2 feet and may not turn back onto the right side of the road until the vehicle has safely passed. In the restricted area, a motorist may pass a cyclist if the slower vehicle is a bicycle or moped; the slower vehicle is moving in the same direction as the faster vehicle; the driver of a fast moving vehicle either provides 4 feet (or more) of space or moves completely into the left lane of the highway; the slower vehicle does not turn left and does not signal a left turn; and finally, the driver of the vehicle follows all other applicable rules, laws and regulations.

North Dakota

• There are no state laws in North Dakota specifically relating to cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

Ohio

• Ohio does not have state laws specifically relating to cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

Oklahoma

• Drivers in Oklahoma must not overtake a cyclist less than 3 feet and must maintain a safe distance until the cyclist has passed safely.

Oregon

• When driving in Oregon at speeds less than 35 mph, a "safe distance" is required that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person riding the bicycle in the event that the cyclist enters the driver's lane.

Pennsylvania

• In Pennsylvania, riders must pass to the left of a bicycle (pedal bike) for at least 4 feet and slow down to a safe overtaking speed.

Rhode Island

• Drivers in Rhode Island traveling under 15 mph must use a "safe distance" to overtake a cyclist to prevent contact with a person on a bicycle if they enter the driver's lane.

Южная Каролина

• Drivers in South Carolina must not overtake a cyclist less than 3 feet and must maintain a safe distance until the cyclist has passed safely.

North Dakota

• When overtaking a bicycle traveling in the same direction in South Dakota, the rider must leave at least 3 feet between the right side of the rider's vehicle, including mirrors or other objects, and the left side of the bike if the posted limit is 35 mph or less and not less than 6 feet of space if the posted limit is 35 mph or more. A driver overtaking a bicycle traveling in the same direction may partially cross the highway centerline between two lanes in the same direction if it is safe to do so. The rider must maintain this separation until he has passed the bicycle being overtaken.

Tennessee

• Drivers in Tennessee must not pass a cyclist less than 3 feet and must maintain a safe distance until the cyclist has passed safely.

Texas

• There are no state laws in Texas that specifically address cyclist driving. Drivers are urged to be careful.

Utah

• Do not knowingly, unintentionally or recklessly operate a vehicle within 3 feet of a moving bicycle. The "safe distance" must be maintained until the bike has passed.

Vermont

• In Vermont, drivers must exercise "due care" or increase clearance to safely overtake "vulnerable users" (including cyclists).

Virginia

• Drivers in Virginia must not overtake a cyclist less than 3 feet and must maintain a safe distance until the cyclist has passed safely.

Washington

• In Washington, drivers approaching a pedestrian or cyclist on the roadway, right shoulder, or bike lane must detour left at a "safe distance" to avoid colliding with the cyclist and may not drive on the right side of the roadway until they have safely passed cyclist.

Washington, DC

• Drivers in the District of Columbia must exercise due care and maintain a "safe distance" of at least 3 feet when overtaking or overtaking a cyclist.

West Virginia

• In West Virginia, drivers approaching a pedestrian or cyclist on the roadway, right shoulder, or bike path must detour on the left side at a "safe distance" to avoid hitting the cyclist, and may not drive on the right side of the roadway. of the roadway until the cyclist passes safely.

Wisconsin

• Drivers in Wisconsin must not pass a cyclist less than 3 feet and must keep their distance until the cyclist passes safely.

Wyoming

• In Wyoming, drivers approaching a pedestrian or cyclist on the roadway, right shoulder, or bike path must detour left at a "safe distance" to avoid contact with the cyclist, and may not drive on the right side of the roadway until they have safely passed cyclist.

If you're a driver and cyclist, it's good to know the rules of the road, as well as learn more about buying a bike rack for your car for your next trip.

Arriving safely at your destination should be a driver's primary goal, and successfully sharing the road with cyclists is one way to achieve this. If you have questions about safe driving near cyclists, AvtoTachki is always ready to help. Ask a mechanic for help on how to do this.