Motorists must give bicyclists breathing room under new state law (LA Times) [View all]

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Motorists must give bicyclists breathing room under new state law

By Melanie Mason and Patrick McGreevy
September 24, 2013, 12:08 p.m.

With Southern California still building its infrastructure for bicycles, Gov. Jerry Brown and the state Legislature gave riders a bit of breathing room -- 3 feet to be exact.

Brown signed a measure Monday requiring California drivers to provide 3 feet of space between their vehicle and any bicyclist they pass on the road — or to slow to a safe speed as the bicycle goes by. The bill does not specify what speed that is.

The bill represents a partial victory for bicyclists who have lobbied for years for stricter safety measures in response to a large number of accidents involving cars and bicycles.

Brown vetoed a similar bill last year that also would have directed motorists to cross the double yellow line into opposing traffic lanes if safe to do so and necessary to provide the 3-foot buffer.

The provision on crossing into other lanes was removed from this year's bill, AB 1371, by Steven Bradford (D-Gardena).

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-bicyclists-cars-3-foot-buffer-state-law-20130924,0,279091.story