Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania – legislation passed in 2012 – 4 Feet!!! (2022 ranking: 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”.
For details, search with the following keywords: “Pennsylvania Statutes Title 75 3303.”
From FindLaw.com:
https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-75-pacsa-vehicles/pa-csa-sect-75-3303.html
From Justia.com:
https://law.justia.com/codes/pennsylvania/2021/title-75/chapter-33/section-3303/
The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:
https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Pennsylvania.pdf
Groups to check out:
- Bike PGH (Pittsburgh – local): https://www.bikepgh.org/
Rhode Island
Rhode Island – legislation updated in 2021 (2022 ranking: 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.
For details, search with the following keywords: “Rhode Island General Laws Title 31-15-18.”
From FindLaw.com:
https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-31-motor-and-other-vehicles/ri-gen-laws-sect-31-15-18.html
From Justia.com:
https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/2022/title-31/chapter-31-15/section-31-15-18/
The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:
https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Rhode_Island.pdf
Groups to check out:
- Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition: https://ribike.org/
South Carolina
South Carolina – no specific legislation (2022 ranking: 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.
For details, search with the following keywords: “South Carolina Bicycle Laws Article 27”.
The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:
https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_South_Carolina.pdf
Groups to check out:
- Palmetto Cycling Coalition: http://pccsc.net/
South Dakota
South Dakota – legislation passed in 2015 (2022 ranking: 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!!!.
For details, search with the following keywords: “South Dakota Codified Laws 32-26-26.1.”
From the State's website:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/2055018
The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:
https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_South_Dakota.pdf
Groups to check out:
- Add your group to our list… E-mail us at info@3feetplease.com