• 26
  • July
    2011

As of July 1, motor vehicles passing bicyclists must give at least a 3-foot clearance to the cyclists while overtaking them on Georgia roadways. The new law is aimed at promoting safety for cyclists and eliminating instances of bikers being clipped or buzzed by passing cars.

Injuries to cyclists resulting from bicycle accidents tend to be serious, often due to the size difference and lack of protection that is found in cars. One Georgia cyclist was clipped by a Ford-F150 in Kathleen, Georgia. She was knocked off her bicycle by the distracted driver and suffered injuries to her spine, head and arms.

Along with the 3-foot passing requirement, the bill modernizes bicycle laws in Georgia. It is now legal to sell and use recumbent bikes and clipless pedals. While both are popular throughout Georgia, they had previously been illegal under the old language of the law.

The new law also standardized requirements for bike lanes and designates the right-of-way in a bike lane to cyclists. Provisions regarding when bicycles may utilize non-bike lanes because of safety issues or other obstructions were also included.

Georgia now joins 16 other states who've already adopted similar 3-feet laws in order to protect cyclists from motor vehicle accidents. Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle supported the new bike law, stating, "Under this new law, both cyclists and motorists will all be able to operate on Georgia's roads more safely."

The Executive Director for Georgia Bikes, Brent Buice, called the new law a "tremendous safety improvement for Georgia's cyclists," noting that it will create the kind of biking environment Georgia cyclists are looking for: "safer, more comfortable conditions for cycling."

'3 Feet 2 Pass' rides have taken place throughout the state to increase driver awareness of the new safe-passing requirements. Cyclists wore yellow jerseys with the words "3 Feet Please" on the back and "It's the Law" on the front.

Source: Georgia Cyclists Look Forward to 3-Foot Law