Beginning on Sept. 16, California motorists will have to adhere to a new law that is intended to increase safety for bicyclists across the state.
The “Three Feet for Safety Act” will require motorists to give bicyclists a minimum of three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator when passing the bicyclist.
If the motorist cannot safely pass the bicyclist due to traffic or road conditions, the motorist will be required by law to slow down to a “reasonable and prudent” speed and may only pass when it is safe for the bicyclist.
Any violation of this law, which comes into effect beginning on Sept. 16, is punishable by a $35 fine.
If a collision between a motorist and bicyclist occurs causing bodily harm to the bicyclist and the motorist is found in violation of the law, the fine would be increased to $220.
To read the entire law, visit the California Department of Motor Vehicles website.
Get ready for tickets some roads in Turlock will not accommodate this new law. I can see people slamming on the brakes to abide by this law causing collisions.
Another law we don’t need.
What is the fine if a bicyclist his a motorists. I see bicyclist run stop signs and red lights all the time they need to when and where to ride as well. Perhaps bikes should be banned on streets over 25 mph..!
Sometimes the bicyclists are the ones at fault. I always try to stay far from them and move into the line furthest from them when possible, but sometimes they’re the ones that come close drivers! What do we do then? Do bicyclists get tickets if they get too close or randomly cut us off????
empower an already jerky group of people: cyclists! so much attitude coming from men wearing tight shorts…
wow.what a bunch of s.o.s’s(self obsessed bores)i guess there are a bunch of butthurt motorists that are way to complacent to apply their brakes or lack the ability to slow down and give others the right of way they are legally entitled to.It’s a shame that rather than follow a simple rule they would rather complain and run down some poor bicyclist while they pollute the atmoshphere for their own selfish actions.the same person who complins is the same one who is too lazy to walk a block to the store,pathetic as for me I ride a bike i use hand signals and stop for stop signs unlike most motorists i see.i am gonna enjoy calling your plates and description in I’ll finally get some use out of that cellphone i never use or better yet ill carry a two foot six inch sharpened steel rod attached to right side of my bike and you can explain to the police how your car got damaged less than three feet from me.while i laugh at your misery and ticket i am glad to see that people smarter than all these commenters passed this law see you tomorrow,and btw bring touch up paint.lol
going to bike ride to the flea market tommarow. yes, I follow all laws.also I will ride my bike down berkely tommarow morning around 7-8 a.m. you know the real narrow roadwith that green bike sign that says bike route,yah that road.for all you driving your kids to school and speeding down berkely well hope traffic police are in full force and god bless all.
hope that guy gets you with his metal rod
What if the bicyclist is completely disregarding a sidewalk or bike line? That’s what they’re there for yet most cyclists don’t seem to understand that, especially on Christopherson. So if a bicyclist is riding in the middle of a street that has a designated bike lane, why should the motorist have to yield at least 3 feet to the biker? Absolutely ridiculous.