Support HB 988: 3-ft Safe Passing of Bicycles

Dear Georgia State Legislature Representative & Senator,

Please support HB 988, to apply a 3-ft safe passing distance for cars passing bicycles. Please support this legislation as it presently stands, without altering any of the other existing statues that protect bicyclists’ rights on the road.

http://www.legis.stwww.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/sum/hb988.htm

While overall biking is a pretty safe activity , we do hear about folks who get “buzzed” and knocked off their bikes, scared, or much worse, seriously injured or killed. Despite what many Georgia cyclists believe, state law makes no specific statements about how cars should pass bicycles. The portion of the Georgia code that refers to passing (40-6-42) says only:

“(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle;”

...noting of course that bicycles are vehicles under the law. 16 other states presently have laws that apply a 3 foot safe passing distance for cars passing bicycles, which works as an educational tool for drivers and a standard for enforcement (how close is too close? "I didn't hit him -- he just fell down after I passed").

Based on Georgia numbers from 2004-2006, more than half (55%) of recorded deaths from car vs bicycle crashes occurred when the car and bicycle were traveling in the same direction -- speeds tend to be higher and injuries more severe, highlighting the need for education and enforcement of a safe passing distance.

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URGENT NOTE as of 3/12/10: The bill's sponsor has requested that advocates choose between the ability to ride two abreast (as current GA law provides) or the 3 feet safe passing law, stating there is concern that passing two cyclists riding side by side would be unfeasible. The Georgia Bikes Alliance board is currently voting on what action to take.

For more information and a fact sheet, please go to: http://www.gban.org/node/13

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