Pennsylvania passes safe passing bill to protect bicyclists

Facebook Twitter More...

Update: Gov. Corbett signed the bill into law on Thursday, Feb. 2, a week after the state Legislature passed it. Goes into effect in 60 days.


A bill sits on the Pennsylvania governor's desk that would make the state the 20th to require that motorists give bicycle riders 3 or more feet when passing.

In Pennsylvania's case, it would be the first to require a 4-foot margin. It also makes it a crime to turn into the path of a bicyclist.

John Boyle, research director for Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, told Newsworks:

“We're really happy that the bill has been passed, and we hope that there
is an education campaign at some point in the future to help motorists
understand exactly what the bill means.”

The bill, HB 170, passed the Pennsylvania Senate by a 45-5 margin. It was introduced last year in the House by Republican Rep. Ron Miller of York County; it passed the House by a 197-1 vote margin in May.


If Gov. Tom Corbett signs the bill, it will go into effect in 60 days.

The bill requires motorists to pass bicyclists “within not less than 4 feet at a careful and prudent reduced speed.”

Further, “No turn by a driver of a motor vehicle shall interfere with a pedalcycle proceeding straight while operating.”

The bill also requires bicyclists, when traveling slower than traffic, to ride in the right-hand lane or as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, except when turning. The “right-hand” section doesn't apply to areas where the road conditions are unsafe or where the roadway width is one lane in each direction.

Currently, 19 states require that motorists give bicyclists 3 feet of space when passing.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/30/pennsylvania-passes-safe-passing-bill-to-protect-bicyclists/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.