Give Cyclists of Space

Why 3 feet?

Cyclists need space around them, just as drivers do. Cyclists don’t have a protective outer shell around them like car and truck drivers. A minimum distance of three feet for cyclists means they aren’t in danger of a side view mirror hitting them or wind from a vehicle pushing them over. Cyclists also need space to maneuver in the event they need to avoid a pothole or road debris.

As a motorist, you will encounter cyclists on the road. That’s a good thing! Riding a bike to work or school or while running errands:

  • improves health and fitness
  • reduces pollution and traffic
  • creates more livable communities

Benefits of allowing three feet when passing:

  • Helps a motorist to pass safely without worrying about contact
  • Avoids hitting a cyclist with a side view mirror
  • Cyclists feel safer and can avoid debris and potholes without worrying about space

By giving cyclists three feet, you are supporting a livable community where cyclists—your friends and neighbors—can get where they need to go. Your safer driving practices may some day prevent a terrible accident.

What do I do if I can’t give three feet?

  • Wait behind the bicyclist until safe to pull around the bike with at least three feet to spare, usually at the end of the block or at a gap in parked cars.
  • Remember, if the vehicle in front of you was a car, you wouldn’t be able to pass it until the end of the block either.

What happens if I’m on a one-lane road or residential street?

  • Many one-lane roads or alleys are not wide enough to pass a cyclist with three feet of space. Wait until the end of the block.
  • Many residential streets have parking on two sides and only one driving lane. Many of these lanes are not wide enough to pass a cyclist safely. Wait until you can give a cyclist three feet -- at the end of the block or at a gap between parked cars.

What happens at a dedicated bicycle lane?

Many bicycle lanes in the city have parked cars on the inside edge or curb side.

  • Experienced cyclists will ride on the white line or just to the left of the line so that they are three feet away from car doors that might open into them, causing them to get “doored”.
  • Give cyclists three feet of space for any passing situation.

Why do some cyclists ride outside of the shoulder or in the traffic lane?

  • Cyclists should ride as near to the right side of the road as is safe except when making a turn or passing another vehicle.
  • In many situations, it is unsafe to ride to the right. For example, if debris or potholes are in the right shoulder, or if there are parked cars, the cyclist should ride to the left of these dangers.
  • If a cyclist is riding at or near the speed of traffic, usually on a downhill street, the cyclist might take the lane to be safer and more visible at driveways and intersections. This cyclist is not impeding traffic in this case.