Illinois is the latest state to join those that require passing motorists give a three-foot margin to bicyclists.
Three-foot laws are on the books in nearly a dozen states, while a few others are pursuing it.
The measure, signed into law Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, was included in Senate Bill 80. The bill also allows cyclists to signal a right turn using the right hand, instead of using their left to signal left, right and stop.
Another provision in the bill allows bicycle riders to follow the practice of taking the lane at some intersections.
Previously, they were required to stay “as close as is practicable to the right-hand curb or edge” at all times. The law adds an exception “when approaching a place where a right turn is authorized” to allow cyclists to move out of the right-turn lane where they risk getting cut-off and struck by a turning vehicle.
The law changes were supported by the League of Illinois Bicyclists and the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, among others. More bike bill info at LIB.
Now the job of educating the driving public about that new 3-foot law begins.
The following states require giving bicyclists at 3-foot margin when passing: Arizona Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin.
In addition, the state of Washington drivers' manual mandates allowing at least three feet of space when passing a bicyclist. The language prompted the Seattle-based Cascade Bicycle Club to launch the“Give 3 Feet” campaign (above).
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