Assembly Passes Bike Passing Zone Bill

California cyclists may be able to pedal on busy roads with fewer worries of being hit. The state Assembly on Monday passed a bill that would mandate a three-foot buffer zone for passing cars. 

 passed 52-19 and would allow cars to cross the double yellow line to give cyclists enough room. The Senate will vote on the bill before it reaches Gov. Brown’s desk.

Last week in Albany, readers voted 24-17 in favor of the new law. (Cast your vote below if you have not already done so.)

Program Director Dave Campbell said the bill goes hand in hand with Berkeley's bicycle anti-harassment ordinance, which encourages motorists to slow down and share the road with cyclists.

"In substance and in goals they’re connected," Campbell said.

Campbell said he thinks the bill will work as an educational tool for drivers, helping to meet the long-term goal of the coalition—having traffic engineers, law enforcement, drivers and cyclists create a roadway environment that's friendly and encouraging to cyclists.

-City News Service contributed to this report.

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