IDAHO

Idaho – no specific legislation (2022 ranking: 40)

Summary: Idaho 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 requires a “safe distance” be provided when passing.

For details, search with the following keywords: “Idaho Title 49-632.”

From FindLaw.com:

https://codes.findlaw.com/id/title-49-motor-vehicles/id-st-sect-49-632/

From Justia.com:

https://law.justia.com/codes/idaho/2022/title-49/chapter-6/section-49-632/

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

https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Idaho.pdf

Groups to check out:

Idaho Walk Bike Alliance: https://idahowalkbike.org/

Idaho sunset over a field of hay. Hay bail is in the picture.

Illinois

Illinois – legislation passed in 2007 (2022 ranking: 16)

Summary: Illinois has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “… but not less than 3 feet, when passing the bicycle or individual…”

For details, search with the following keywords: “Illinois Statutes Chapter 625 11-703.”

From FindLaw.com:

https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-625-vehicles/il-st-sect-625-5-11-703/

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

https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Illinois.pdf

Groups to check out:

Ride Illinois: https://rideillinois.org/

Hot air balloon over the country side in Illinois.

Indiana

Indiana – legislation passed in 2019 (2022 ranking: 24)

Summary: Indiana has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “at least three feet”. Indiana buried their law a bit in HB 1236 and it is not readably searchable and somewhat confusing. The summary of the bill specifically addresses “Electric Bikes” but the details in the House Bill state “The operator of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or electric bicycle shall: (A) allow at least three (3) feet of clearance between the vehicle and the bicycle; and…”

For details, search with the following keywords: “Indiana Code Title 9-21-8-5” and “Indiana HB 1236 2019.”

From FindLaw.com:
https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-9-motor-vehicles/in-code-sect-9-21-8-5.html

From Justia.com:

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-9/article-21/chapter-8/section-9-21-8-5/

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

https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Indiana.pdf

Groups to check out:

Bicycle Indiana: https://www.bicycleindiana.org/

IOWA

Iowa – no specific legislation (2022 ranking: 25)

Summary: Iowa 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” be provided when passing. What is more than a little surprising is that Iowa boasts one of the premier group rides in the World – RAGBRAI. Overall, the towns, cities, law enforcement, and organizations like the “Register” paper do a wonderful job of supporting cycling across their beautiful state. If you’ve never ridden in RAGBRAI, it’s an incredibly well-organized and supported ride. It’s worth doing at least once in your cycling career. Many of us have done it several times.

Kudos to the Iowa Bike Coalition for their continued effort to pass a law specific to the distance required when passing a bicycle. If you live in Iowa, please check out their site (listed below).

For details, search with the following keywords: “Iowa Code 321.299”

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

https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Iowa.pdf

Groups to check out:

Iowa Bicycle Coalition: https://iowabicyclecoalition.org/
RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa): https://ragbrai.com/