Should Cars Be Required to Stay Three Feet Away from a Bicycle?

Written by Brad Kava

OK Davis, everyone knows you for being the most bike friendly city in the nation, so this one is or you. 

Drivers are required to stay at least three feet away from a moving bicyclist in a bill pass this week in the California State Senate.  

AB1371 requires drivers to provide a three-foot buffer zone when passing a cyclist going in the same direction. The Three Feet for Safety Act was sponsored by Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) and is meant to protect cyclists from drivers who intentionally drive too close as they pass. 
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Opponents claim it would be too difficult to enforce because an officer wouldn't be in position to fairly gauge the three feet. Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a previous effort because it required cars to slow down to 15 mph to pass a bike and because it could force drivers over the yellow lines, also against the law and a danger.

How do you feel in Half Moon Bay, a community where so many people bike Highway 1 and hit the trails on weekend? Should bikers be given more protection? Have you had close calls? Where are the worst spots in town to bike? Do we have enough bike lanes and do bikers use them wisely?

If passed, the bill would go into effect September 2014. 

Here are more details on the law.