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    • Cyclists have rights!
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  • Home
  • Information
  • State-by-State Info
    • Summary
    • AL - AK - AZ - AR
    • CA - CO - CT
    • DE - DC
    • FL - GA - HI
    • ID - IL - IN - IA
    • KS - KY - LA
    • ME - MD - MA - MI
    • MN - MS - MO - MT
    • NE - NH - NC - ND
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  • Cyclists have rights!
  • Contact Us
  • Our HI-VIS Jerseys

Alabama

Alabama – legislation passed in 2015 (2022 ranking: 44)

Summary: Alabama has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet”. However, it can be somewhat confusing and ambiguous based on the speed of the vehicle or when the roadway lacks double yellow lines. There are also provisions requiring that a cyclist ride within two feet of the right shoulder of the road. Riding that close to the shoulder can be a daunting task – even for an experienced cyclist.


Here is a link to the bicycle safety section of the "Drive Safe Alabama" website:

https://drivesafealabama.org/keys-to-safety/bicycle-safety/


For details, search with the following keywords: “Alabama Code 32-5A-82”.


From FindLaw.com:
https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-32-motor-vehicles-and-traffic/al-code-sect-32-5a-82.html


From Justia.com:

https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2022/title-32/chapter-5a/article-4/section-32-5a-82


There are restrictions to the Alabama law that make the law somewhat ambiguous and confusing. The following blog by Danny Feldman (March 15, 2018) provides more context to the Alabama law.

https://www.bikelaw.com/2018/03/three-foot-passing-law-in-alabama/


The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card::

https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Alabama.pdf

Alaska

Alaska – no specific legislation (2022 ranking: 41)

Summary: Alaska does not have specific legislation regarding how much distance must be provided to a cyclist when being overtaken by a vehicle. Cyclists have to rely on vehicle passing laws that, for the most part, only require a “safe distance” to be provided when passing.


For details, search with the following keywords: “Alaska 13 AAC 02.065 overtaking a vehicle”.


The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:

https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Alaska.pdf

Alaska lakeside.

Arizona

Arizona – legislation passed in 2000 (2022 ranking: 31)

Summary: Arizona has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet”. However, the law can get a bit confusing when it comes to whether or not fines are applicable. Sadly, the maximum civil penalty for someone who kills a cyclist is $1,000. What makes this somewhat absurd is that the fine doesn’t apply if the cyclist is injured/killed if they were not riding in the bike lane and there was a bike lane that was considered “present and passable”. Some of the bike lanes we’ve ridden on in Arizona are more dangerous than riding in the vehicle lane.


For details, search with the following keywords: “Arizona 28-735 overtaking bicycles”.


From FindLaw.com:
https://codes.findlaw.com/az/title-28-transportation/az-rev-st-sect-28-735.html


From Justia.com:

https://law.justia.com/codes/arizona/2022/title-28/section-28-735/


The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:

https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Arizona.pdf

Cyclist wearing pink "3 Feet Please" jersey.

https://store.voler.com/collections/collection-3-feet-please

Arkansas

Arkansas – legislation passed in 2007 (2022 ranking: 39)

Summary: Arkansas has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet”. Unlike other states, there are no specific restrictions regarding bike lanes or vehicle speeds (a good thing). Fines for breaking the law are “not to exceed $100” and fines for causing serious physical injury or death are “not to exceed $1,000.”


For details, search with the following keywords: “Arkansas 27-51-311 28-735 overtaking a bicycle”.


From Justia.com:

https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2020/title-27/subtitle-4/chapter-51/subchapter-3/section-27-51-311/


The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:

https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Arkansas.pdf

Arkansas road.

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