Roadways Become Safer For Ohio Cyclists
A recent law requires motorists to give bicyclists 3 feet of space when passing them on the road. HB 154 was signed by Governor Kasich last December and went into effect March 21, making roadways safer for cyclists.
Existing law prior to this says that motorists must pass at a ‘safe distance,’ which is interrupted by everybody differently. This law now deems 3 feet as the proper amount of space.
“What bikers found over the years was that they could get buzzed by cars that would try to pass them, coming inches from their elbow,” Steve Magas said, who is nicknamed ‘Ohio’s bike lawyer’.
“To the cyclists, whose lives are at stake, that’s not a safe pass because if that person makes a couple millimeters of error there could be a catastrophic result.”
In Magas’ history representing bicyclists in court, police officers seemed to not care if a cyclist was almost hit. Now with the three-feet law even if the motorist doesn’t hit the cyclist but is within three-feet of them, a ticket can be issued.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety reports that there were 1,506 incidents involving cyclists this past year. That number includes both deaths and injuries. Compared to numbers nationwide, Ohio is one of the safest states to ride a bike.
Magas hopes that this new law will generate an educational movement in Ohio, informing everybody that leaving space between motor vehicles and cyclists is key.
“Motorists have to be understanding that cyclists have a right to use the road and they have to give some space when they pass. It’s pretty simple.”
The bill was first introduced seven years ago and was quickly shot down. In 2013, it was re-introduced as cycling in Ohio began to grow. When the bill failed to get out of committee, it was reworded, brought back in 2015 and finally passed in 2016.
Ohio joins 27 other states that have a three-feet minimum passing zone and a total of 41 other states that have some requirement for a safe distance passing zone between motorists and cyclists. Nine states currently have no specific law requirements for passing a bicyclist.
#give3feetOH New law becomes effective March 21. Give three feet when passing bicyclist. pic.twitter.com/jaon0aalT4
— Liberty Township (@Liberty_Twp) March 20, 2017
