The Virginia Bicycling Federation reports that two 3-foot passing bills were killed in the House of Delegates Subcommittee on Transportation on Wednesday morning.
The bills would have extended the distance by which motorists must pass bicyclists from the current two feet to three feet.
Both bills — HB 1683 and HB 2194 — failed by a 4-3 vote; the vote tally is supplied at the Virginia Bicycling Federation website.
A Senate version (SB 928) is still alive. It establishes a 3-foot gap for passing bicyclists and prohibits following a bicycle “more closely than is reasonable.”
Wyoming
The Wyoming State House defeated a bill that would have required motorists to give bicyclists a 3-foot gap when passing by a vote of 30-28. That's one shy of passage.
Opponents said that giving bicyclists a lot of room when passing is just common sense, the AP reported.
Rhode Island
Meanwhile, Rhode Island Rep. Joseph M. McNamara introduced a bill (H 5096) that requires motorists to pass bicycles or other human-powered vehicles by 3 feet or more, according to the Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition.
The bill amends the so-called Frank's Law that passed the legislature and went into effect last year. That law said motorists must pass at a safe distance, defined as “a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall over into the driver’s lane of traffic.” The new bill by McNamara redefines that “safe distance” as 3 feet.
The bill was named for bicyclist Frank J. Cabral, who was struck and killed by a passing car in 2007.
16 states
Currently, 16 states require motorists give a 3-foot gap when passing bicyclists.
In addition to the Virginia and Rhode Island bills, a bill in Washington was tabled last week. Oklahoma is considering an increase to fines in its three-foot bill and making it a felony to throw objects at a bicyclist.
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