Laws regarding the distance required when passing a cyclist vary across the United States. Most states have a “3 feet” rule, mandating at least three feet of clearance when overtaking a cyclist. However, some states use more general terms like “a safe distance,” while others, such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, require “at least four feet.”
We do our best to maintain accurate and up-to-date information on these laws. If you notice any discrepancies or changes in your state’s legislation, please let us know at hi@3FP.org. The information on this site may change and may not always reflect the latest updates. Always check your state’s official resources for the most current version of the law.
Alabama
Year Passed: 2015 State Rank: 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.
Local Groups
References
Bicycle safety section of Drive Safe Alabama
FindLaw.com
There are restrictions to the Alabama law that make the law somewhat ambiguous and confusing. Danny Feldman's Blog (03/15/2018) provides context.
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Alaska
State Rank: 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.
Local Groups
References
Arizona
Year Passed: 2000 State Rank: 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.
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Arkansas
Year Passed: 2007 State Rank: 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.”
Local Groups
References
California
Year Passed: 2014 State Rank: 4
Summary
California has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “A driver shall not overtake or pass a bicycle at a distance less than three feet”. California adopted their law in 2014 and included what some have referred to as a “commonsense” provision in their legislation. It is possible to pass a bicycle with less than three feet of clearance in certain situations where it is “reasonable and prudent” and the driver may only pass if “doing so would not endanger the safety of the operator of the bicycle…”
Local Groups
References
CalBike
FindLaw.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Colorado
Year Passed: 2009 State Rank: 7
Summary
Colorado has three statutes that address passing cyclists in traffic – passing oncoming vehicles; overtaking a vehicle on the left; and overtaking a vehicle on the right. Colorado also addresses how to measure the distance between a vehicle and a cyclist by defining the distance as “including all mirrors or other projections, and the [near] side of the bicyclist at all times.”
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Connecticut
Year Passed: 2008 State Rank: 20
Summary
Connecticut 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). Breaking the law is considered an “infraction”.
Local Groups
References
BikeWaltCT.org Brochure & Quiz
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Delaware
Year Passed: 2011 State Rank: 9
Summary
Delaware has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “at least three feet”. Delaware also requires vehicles to change lanes to pass a cyclist if there is a lane available traveling in the same direction. This is especially nice for high-speed 4-lane+ roads. When the extra lane does not exist, a driver must always provide at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist.
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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District of Columbia
Summary
Our Nation’s Capital has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “in no case less than three feet”. The law is pretty straight-forward – “A person driving a motor vehicle shall exercise due care by leaving a safe distance, but in no case less than 3 feet, when overtaking and passing a bicycle”.
Local Groups
Washington Area Bicyclist Association
References
Florida
Year Passed: 2006 State Rank: 8
Summary
Florida has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet”. Like many states, Florida’s law also includes “other nonmotorized vehicles” in the passing law.
Local Groups
References
Georgia
Year Passed: 2011 State Rank: 24
Summary
Georgia has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet”.
Local Groups
Georgia Bikes
3FT Please – Georgia
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Hawaii
Year Passed: 2018 State Rank: 27
Summary
Hawaii has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “at least three feet of separation between the right side of the driver’s vehicle, including all mirrors or other protuberances, and the left side of the bicyclist…”
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Idaho
State Rank: 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.
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Illinois
Year Passed: 2007 State Rank: 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…”
Local Groups
References
Indiana
Year Passed: 2019 State Rank: 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…”
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Iowa
State Rank: 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).
Local Groups
Iowa Bicycle Coalition
RAGBRAI -Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa
References
Kansas
Year Passed: 2011 State Rank: 30
Summary
Kansas has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet”. Kansas has also addressed a difficult issue in their law that, while arguably lessens that safety of cyclist being passed, allows for passing cyclists on roads where passing might not otherwise be allowed. The issue is that on a two-lane road with “no-passing” lines or signs, especially when going uphill, it is very difficult for vehicles to drive at bike speed – often 10mph or less – while waiting for a passing zone. The Kansas law allows for passing the cyclist “proceeding in the same direction in a no-passing zone with the duty to execute the pass only when it is safe to do so.”
Local Groups
References
Kentucky
Year Passed: 2018 State Rank: 37
Summary
Kentucky has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “a minimum distance of three feet”. The same legislation also specifically applies to electric low-speed scooters. As with many states, Kentucky has a provision for passing a cyclist when less than three feet of passing distance is available. In these situations, the law requires the passing vehicle to “use reasonable caution in passing the bicyclist or electric low-speed scooter…”
Local Groups
References
Louisiana
Year Passed: 2009 State Rank: 33
Summary
Louisiana has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “a minimum distance of three feet”. The legislation also allows for passing a cyclist in a no-passing zone “only when it is safe to do so.”
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Maine
Year Passed: 2007 State Rank: 26
Summary
Maine has a “3 foot” passing law, which defines the safe passing distance as “at least three feet.” The legislation also allows for passing a cyclist in a no-passing zone “if is safe to do so.” A specific provision of the Maine law is that it allows vehicles to “cross the centerline in a no-passing zone in order to pass a bicyclist…” Many states do not have this specific provision. Maine has attempted to make it clear that maintaining three feet may occur by crossing the centerline.
Local Groups
References
Maryland
Year Passed: 2010 State Rank: 14
Summary
Maryland has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “not less than 3 feet”. There are however a few very important exclusions to when the law applies. Those exclusions can include situations where the “rider” is not riding to the right of the road; if the “rider” solely causes the passing distance to be less than three feet; or when the highway is not wide enough to lawfully pass with a distance of at least three feet. The Maryland law also addresses “motor scooters” and “EPAMDs – Electric Personal Assisted Mobility Device”.
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Massachusetts
Year Passed: 2022 State Rank: 1
Summary
Massachusetts became the third state in the country to pass a "4 foot" passing law. Massachusetts joins Pennsylvania and New Jersey with four foot laws.
Local Groups
References
Michigan
Year Passed: 2018 State Rank: 11
Summary
Michigan has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “at least three feet”. The legislation also allows for passing a cyclist in a no-passing zone “if it is safe to do so.”
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Minnesota
Year Passed: 2004 State Rank: 5
Summary
Minnesota has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “in no case less than three feet clearance”. On a bit of a humorous note, there is a provision in the law to exempt “Peace officer operating a bicycle” from the law “while performing their duties.” We are behind that 100% if they are helping keep other cyclists safe!
Local Groups
The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota
References
Mississippi
Year Passed: 2010 State Rank: 48
Summary
Mississippi has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet”. The legislation also allows for passing a cyclist in a no-passing zone “only when it is safe to do so.”
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
Search for more info →
Missouri
State Rank: 45
Summary
Missouri 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. Missouri actually uses the words “highest degree of care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian and shall give warning by sounding a horn when necessary…” Of course, from a cycling perspective, we could do without the horn.
Local Groups
Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Montana
State Rank: 42
Summary
Montana 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” to be provided when passing. The Montana law also specifies that a driver may not “(a) intentionally interfere with the movement of a person who is lawfully riding a bicycle; or (b) overtake and pass a person riding a bicycle unless the operator of the motor vehicle can do so safely without endangering the person riding the bicycle.”
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Nebraska
Year Passed: 2012 State Rank: 49
Summary
Nebraska has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “no less than three feet”.
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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New Hampshire
Year Passed: 2008 State Rank: 36
Summary
New Hampshire has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “at least three feet”. But, that’s just the start! New Hampshire makes you do some math – not a bad thing. For every 10 mph over 30 mph, an extra foot is added. Here’s the breakdown: 30 mph or less – at least 3 feet; 40 mph – at least 4 feet; 50 mph – at least 5 feet; and so on…
Local Groups
Bike Walk Alliance New Hampshire
References
North Carolina
Year Passed: 1995 State Rank: 18
Summary
North Carolina has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “not less than 2 feet”. However, this distance is not specific to a vehicle passing a bicycle. Instead, it applies to any vehicle passing any other vehicle.
Local Groups
References
North Dakota
Year Passed: 2021 State Rank: 38
Summary
North Dakota has a “3 foot” passing law which defines the safe passing distance as “no less than three feet”.
Local Groups
North Dakota Active Transportation Alliance
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Nevada
Year Passed: 2011 State Rank: 34
Summary
Nevada has a “3 foot” passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “not less than 3 feet”. The legislation also specifies that when “more than one lane for traffic proceeding in the same direction, [the driver shall] move the vehicle to the lane to the immediate left, if the lane is available and moving into the lane is reasonably safe…” We appreciate states that try to give us a full lane where possible. The issue, of course, is the enforcement of these very laws.
Local Groups
Southern Nevada Bicycle Coalition
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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New Jersey
Year Passed: 2021 State Rank: 16
Summary
New Jersey adopted a 4 foot law in 2021 becoming the second state in the country to adopt a 4 foot law (Pennsylvania was first). The law provides two noteworthy provisions. First, vehicles must provide at least four feet of clearance when passing a bicycle and second, the vehicle driver must reduce their speed to at most, 25 mph.
Local Groups
New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition
References
Safe Passing Guide
Justia.com
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New Mexico
State Rank: 44
Summary
New Mexico 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” to be provided when passing.
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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New York
State Rank: 13
Summary
New York 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” to be provided when passing.
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Ohio
Year Passed: 2016 State Rank: 17
Summary
Ohio has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “three feet or greater”. Ohio does add a “kicker” to this law by stating “If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to additional fine…”
Local Groups
References
Oklahoma
Year Passed: 2006 State Rank: 47
Summary
Oklahoma has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet”.
Local Groups
References
Oregon
Year Passed: 2007 State Rank: 2
Summary
Oregon has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver's lane of traffic.” There are restrictions however to this law and trying to define just how far away you need to be if a rider “falls into the driver’s lane of traffic” is difficult. We’ve seen falls that take up the entire lane – or more. Rhode Island has a very similar law.
Local Groups
Cascade Bicycle Club
Bike Portland
References
Pennsylvania
Year Passed: 2012 State Rank: 11
Summary
Pennsylvania has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “not less than 4 feet.” This is the largest, minimal standard in the country. New Hampshire does a nice job as well with their increasing distance, but Pennsylvania takes top honors for “required minimum distance”.
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Rhode Island
Year Passed: 2021 State Rank: 21
Summary
Rhode Island has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver's lane of traffic.” There are restrictions however to this law and trying to define just how far away you need to be if a rider “falls into the driver’s lane of traffic” is difficult. We’ve seen falls that take up the entire lane – or more. Oregon has a very similar law.
Local Groups
Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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South Carolina
State Rank: 43
Summary
South Carolina 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 operating distance” be provided when passing.
Local Groups
References
South Dakota
Year Passed: 2015 State Rank: 46
Summary
South Dakota has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “a minimum of 3 foot separation between the right side of the driver’s vehicle, including any mirror or other projection, and the left side of the bicycle if the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less and shall allow a minimum of 6 feet of separation if the posted speed limit is greater than 35 mph.” We love the six feet!!!.
Local Groups
References
South Dakota State Legislature
Bike League Report Card →
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Tennessee
Year Passed: 2007 State Rank: 19
Summary
Tennessee has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet.”
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Texas
State Rank: 32
Summary
Texas 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 operating distance” to be provided when passing. Despite the Lone Star state not having a statewide law, some cities are doing their own thing to protect cyclists. Groups like Bike Texas and Bike Laredo are doing some great work. In the city of Laredo, for example, “3 Feet” is the law.
Local Groups
References
Utah
Year Passed: 2006 State Rank: 10
Summary
Utah has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “within three feet.”
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Vermont
State Rank: 23
Summary
Vermont attempts to provide a safe passing distance of four feet but the wording in the law if absurd: "The operator of a motor vehicle approaching or passing a vulnerable user as defined in subdivision 4(81) of this title shall exercise due care, which includes reducing speed and increasing clearance to a recommended distance of at least four feet, to pass the vulnerable user safely, and shall cross the center of the highway only as provided in section 1035 of this title. A person who violates this subsection shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $200.00". So, what happens if a vehicle passes a cyclist at less than the recommended four feet? Absolutely nothing.
Local Groups
References
Virginia
Year Passed: 2014 State Rank: 7
Summary
Virginia has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “at least three feet.” Virginia’s law also applies to passing electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDs), electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, animals, or animal-drawn vehicles.
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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Washington
Year Passed: 2019 State Rank: 3
Summary
Washington has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “at least three feet.” Washington’s law gets a little more specific and requires reducing speed “relative to the speed of the individual.” Washington’s law also gets pretty specific concerning how to pass when there is insufficient distance available in the lane of travel – “When there is insufficient room to the left of the individual in the lane for traffic moving in the direction of travel to comply with (a)(ii)(A) of this subsection, before passing and until safely clear of the individual, move completely into the lane for traffic moving in the opposite direction when it is safe to do so…”
Local Groups
Cascade Bicycle Club
Washington Bikes
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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West Virginia
Year Passed: 2014 State Rank: 28
Summary
West Virginia has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet at a careful and reduced speed.”
Local Groups
References
Wisconsin
Year Passed: 1973 State Rank: 29
Summary
Wisconsin has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “in no case less than 3 feet clearance.”
Local Groups
References
Wyoming
Year Passed: 2015 State Rank: 50
Summary
Wyoming has a passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “at least a 3 foot separation.”
Local Groups
References
FindLaw.com
Justia.com
Bike League Report Card →
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