Southeast - GA legislature passed bicycle bill

Its just waiting for Gov Deal to sign.
--> http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/Display.aspx?Legislation=32251

This is the bill that says motor vehicles MUST pass a bicycle with at least 3 feet clearance between the vehicle and the bicycle. :)

I guess I can put away my "regular" 3 feet jersey
http://www.3feetplease.com/images/products/1-5-back.jpghttp://www.3feetplease.com/images/products/1-5-front.jpg

and get one of these. :thumb:
http://www.3feetplease.com/images/products/1-4-back.jpghttp://www.3feetplease.com/images/products/1-4-front.jpg

It was a surprise turn that the 3 foot requirement was included. The original HB101 bill was just cleaning up some language in existing laws, defining bike lanes, allowing recumbents, clipless pedals etc. A separate bill, HB126, requiring 3 feet to pass was not voted on before crossover day. The Senate approved HB101 with 3 amendments, including the 3 foot passing requirement. Great lobbying effort and phone calling/letter writing/emailing campaign by Georgia's bicycling advocates. :thumb:

I'm sure this will be vigorously enforced by the cops.

Maybe not, Mr. Sunshine, but it will make some people more likely to give cyclists more room and it will give some legal recourse to the victims of those who don't.

We've had a similar law in effect in Tennessee for some time. I still get buzzed by motorist several times a week. Cops here don't enforce it even when riders are hit or bumped. Basically the law is only symbolic. What a shame.

Is it only worth doing something if it alone completely solves a problem? I don't think so. Steps in the right direction are worthy of applause.

I hope the cops do a better job of enforcing it than the no-texting-while-driving law. Since that law was passed I've seen more people texting while driving than before.
I want to know how these people managed to drive before they got a smart phone. :twitchy:

Last I had heard, no ticket has ever been issued in Tennessee for violation of the 3 foot law.

Also one of the Traffic Engineering Seminars I went to last year mentioned that most drivers passed with more than 3 feet before a 3 foot law was passed and that the law actually may cause drivers to decrease the passing zone.

where did you get that jersey? I want one!

where did you get that jersey? I want one!
http://www.3feetplease.com/

Yeah, enforcement is a problem. But, so are almost all traffic laws. Why don't we start enforcing 55mph on 285?
At the very least, I think this law will give a cyclist recourse if they are hit on the road (and obeying other traffic laws). That is, if the cager hits the cyclist then they must have violated the 3 ft. law. Hopefully the cyclist isn't dead at this point :(