Three Feet for Safety Act

News: California Road-Sharing Law Goes Into Effect September 16th

The “Three-Feet-for-Safety Act” legally mandates that California motorists give bicyclists at least three feet of space when passing them on the road and also provides a way for law enforcement to enforce safe passing.  The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, the Automobile Club of Southern California,   California Highway Patrol-Border Division and San Diego Police Dept. will launch locally the “I GIVE 3 FT” safety awareness campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the day the law goes into effect.  The traffic safety groups are urging motorists to give bicyclists at least 3 feet clearance when passing. Read more…

The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition was proud to play a role in getting this law passed by supporting the “Three-Feet-for-Safety-Act” in conjunction with the California Bicycle Coalition, who led the state-wide efforts to get it passed. 

View the new California Vehicle Code Section 21760.

Now that we have this important safety measure as law, the Bike Coalition will continue to work with local law enforcement to help educate the public about the new law and its importance to all of us who share the road. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Proving a Violation

Support our “I Give 3 Ft” bicycle safety awareness campaign by donating or becoming a member of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition today.

Spread the word on Facebook + twitter. 

CALIFORNIA ROAD-SHARING LAW GOES INTO EFFECT SEPT. 16

SAN DIEGO ORGANIZATIONS LAUNCH “I GIVE 3 FT”  BICYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN  

WHAT:    The “Three-Feet-for-Safety Act” legally mandates that California motorists give bicyclists at least three feet of space when passing them on the road and also provides a way for law enforcement to enforce safe passing.  The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, the Automobile Club of Southern California,   California Highway Patrol-Border Division and San Diego Police Dept. will launch locally the “I GIVE 3 FT” safety awareness campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the day the law goes into effect.  The traffic safety groups are urging motorists to give bicyclists at least 3 feet clearance when passing. 

Similar awareness campaigns are being launched by law enforcement, cyclist groups and non-profits in other counties to get the word out about the law.

                       

 SEE:       Visual demonstrations including 3-ft measurement tips and ride-a-long demos with passenger vehicles and bicyclists; Safety tip cards being distributed to 200,000 motorists via AAA Roadside Assistance statewide and safety groups. I GIVE 3 FT window clings affixed to AAA and other vehicles.

WHO:     

• Assemblyman Steven Bradford, author, 3 Feet for Safety Act
• CHP-Border Division Chief Jim Abele
• San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman
• San Diego County Bicycle Coalition Executive Dir. Andy Hanshaw
• Auto Club Public Affairs Specialist and Bicyclist Marianne Kim  

WHEN:     10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 16, press conference, b-roll and post-press conference interviews.

WHERE:   Auto Club San Diego branch parking lot, 2440 Hotel Circle North, San Diego  92108.  Branch telephone: 619-233-1000.

WHY:        California’s new bike-passing law will go into effect Sept. 16 and is designed to increase road safety and reduce crashes by reminding motorists to give bicyclists more safe space while passing on the road.  Twenty-five other states have similar laws. 

                 

Contact: Auto Club, Jeff Spring and Elaine Beno, 714-885-2333

                      CHP Public Information Officer Armando Garcia, 858-650-3669

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