Do You Support 3-Foot Passing Rule?

With the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan now approved by all involved cities,  we're gauging local opinions about Senate Bill 1464.

The proposed state law—which would make it a legal requirement for automobiles to give bicyclists a minimum clearance of three feet when passing—has the support of Los Angeles area cyclists.

"The state of California is one step closer to safer cycling!" blogger Jordan Miles wrote on the LADOT Bike Blog in June, after the California Assembly Transportation Committee voted in favor of the bill.

An earlier version of the bill was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, because it would have required motorists to reduce their speed to at least 15 mph if providing 3 feet of passing space were not be possible, Miles explained.

In response to Brown's veto, occasional Patch contributor Joe Galliani wrote a letter on behalf of the South Bay Bicycle Coalition, arguing that the bill was necessary for the safety of cyclists.

"Under current law, a bicyclist remains unprotected and in physical danger," Galliani wrote at the time.

Senate Bill 1464 is the second attempt at a three-foot passing law. To better appeal to Brown, who said that requiring motorists to slow to 15 mph might increase traffic collisions, "the new bill allows vehicles to slow to 'a speed that is slow and prudent,' taking into consideration other traffic conditions if there is not enough room for a three-foot passing space, Miles wrote.

SB 1464 has now passed the state Senate and is up for a vote by the Assembly Friday. How would you vote if it were up to you? Tell us in the comments, and take our unscientific poll below to let us know where you stand on this issue.