.
Feedback

Tell Us: Do You Support SB 1464, the 3-Foot Passing Rule?

A bill has passed the state senate requiring automobiles to pass no closer than three feet to bicyclists. What do you think? Tell us in the comments.

In the wake of several vehicle collisions that have left bicyclists dead or injured, our question of the week is about SB 1464.

The proposed state law, making it a legal requirement for automobiles to give bicyclists a minimum clearance of three feet when passing, has the support of cyclists.

You can read more about the bill in from the Napa County Bicycle Coalition.

SB 1464 has passed the state Senate and is up for a vote by the Assembly Friday. How would you vote if it were up to you?

Where do you stand on this issue? Patch us your thoughts in the comments section below.

Here are a few of the comments via Facebook:

  • Patty Bennett Manzi It is tragic that so many cyclist have been injured or killed in accidents recently, however, I dont think we need yet another rule regarding road space! Do we redesign all bike lanes to allow for an additional 3 feet? Do we have cyclists ride around with 3' long 'feelers' to make sure the cars stay 3' away? Are cops going to ride around with tape measures? How do we police this? If someone gets too close to a cyclist, does the cyclist call the police and report a near miss? We dont have a rule saying cars cant pass withing 3' of each other or within 3' of a motorcycle, so why a bicycle? Just my two-cents.
  • Craig Mullins retarded.
  • Craig Mullins What do we do on one lane narrow roads? Are their exceptions to the rule? At what point are we allowed to pass them if their isn't 3 feet of room?
  • Kara Starston that's impossible, cyclists don't use bike lanes, and when they do they ride at the very edge near the lane. and what about the streets that don't have bike lanes, like foothill starting at the golf course all the way to sunol. are we supposed to just drive behind them the whole way or get hit by on coming traffic trying to pass them?
  • Randy Randleman Another dumb law that is not needed. If drivers and bikers just paid more attention and followed the rules better there would be less accidents.
  • Teresa Finch I disagree. Most cyclists I've passed refuse to use the bike lane and will try to ride out with traffic. If they don't know their place on the road with thousands of cars, which can squash them in an instant, they don't belong anywhere near a bike. Especially the ones that refuse to signal.
Michael Austin August 21, 2012 at 07:47 pm
This is incredible waste of time on the part of the lawmakers.
Motor vehicle code readily mandates we all share the road. Cyclists do not stop at red lights, cyclists do not stop at stop signs. Cyclist have killed pedesdrians and injured pedestrians. Many of our streets and roadways are narrow, do not have painted bike lanes. Staying three feet away from a cyclists when passing will require the motorist to swing out into oncoming motor vehicle traffic. Cyclist today are rude and arrogant, do not respect others rights to share the road. I could write a thousand word comment on what is wrong with this legislation.
Local August 21, 2012 at 09:15 pm
I cant agree more with you, Michael Austin!!! Cyclists need to get the hell off the streets!!!! I am sorry but they are just NOT VEHICLES and for them to have the same laws (yet NONE follow them!!!!) as vehicles just baffles me... They're just flirting with death when they're out there on back roads on the weekends!!!!!! Or ANY day of the week!!! I say this law is ridiculous, a waste of time and money, and is just going to cause more head-on collisions for the automobiles on the road!!!
A Reader August 21, 2012 at 09:49 pm
I am a cyclist and I disagree completely with this law. I am one of the few cyclists on the roads who stops at red lights and stop signs. I am put more at risk because of the arrogant cyclists who flaunt the laws right up until the time it favors them.
Stop riding 3 and 4 across on the streets. Stop blowing through stop lights and threatening pedestrians on sidewalks. Stop being arrogant jerks and then people might, just might, be more inclined to give all of us a break.
Kevin August 21, 2012 at 10:06 pm
First point, I always leave at least 3 feet of room for a bicyclist if I can. But if I have to slow down to 15mph on a windy road or a busy road waiting for a place to pass it becomes a driving obstacle. Because of this I do not drive down Foothill Drive in Pleasanton on Saturdays. The bike lanes are inadequate.
That brings up the second point. 2000 lb gasoline powered vehicles do not belong on the same road with the 7 lb human powered variety. It is simply not safe. This law does not get to the heart of the problem.
Local August 21, 2012 at 10:18 pm
I absolutely support bicycling to work, for leisure, etc., because it keeps you in shape and is so much better for our earth, but there needs to be more bike lanes and I really don't think it should be legal to ride a bike in the same lane as the cars! It would be really neat if eventually they could even add bike lanes on freeways somehow, but that's probably an outrageous idea.
Ken Coffey August 21, 2012 at 10:59 pm
The comments from Local and Michael are scary, why not share the road what does it hurt. These guys sound dangerous if you are a bicyclist. Most of the people in the Tri Valley are nicer than others in the East Bay lets keep it that way. I do agree we do not need another law enforce the ones we already have.
Local August 21, 2012 at 11:43 pm
What's scary are bicyclists who think they're cars!!
Weechee Warrick August 22, 2012 at 12:01 am
Sounds like it will endanger the lives of those in cars who will now be forced into oncoming traffic.
Better idea is for cyclists to use common sense where they ride.
Pleasanton Mom August 22, 2012 at 02:25 am
Oh my. Shouldn't legislatures be more focused on more important issues? I'm no a bike hater, but this law isn't even reasonable given how narrow many roadways are. This country is hurting. Our state has cities filing for bankruptcy. Schools are struggling even in Pleasanton. People are struggling to make ends meet. And some have lost their homes and/or their equity, which many considered their retirement savings. With all of this, is this really a time to focus on a law that can't even be enforced in some cases because doing so would mean a car could not even fit on the road? Grrrrrrr. Priorities people. Priorities.
Coach Outlet November 3, 2012 at 10:01 am
http://www.outletcoachstoday.com Coach Outlet
http://www.coachoutletod.com Coach Outlet http://www.coachs-outletcar.com Coach Outlet http://www.coachoutletdp.com Coach Outlet http://www.coachoutletwo.com Coach Outlet Online http://www.coachfactoryoutletsp.com Coach Factory Online http://www.coachfactoryoutletli.net Coach Outlet Online http://www.coachfactoryoutletce.org Coach Outlet http://www.coachoutletonlinelc.net Coach Factory Outlet http://www.coachoutletonlinesc.com Coach Factory Outlet http://www.coachoutletonlinelsa.com Coach Outlet Store http://www.louisvuittonoutletct.com Louis Vuitton Purses http://www.louisvuittonoutletti.org Louis Vuitton Bags http://www.coachoutletrf.com Coach Outlet Online http://www.coachfactoryonlinebp.com Coach Factory Outlet http://www.coachoutletuser.net Coach Outlet

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Pleasanton Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Gabriel Zevallos June 14, 2013 at 11:14 pm
Fun & New products + $$ = perfect!
Jennifer McGaffey June 14, 2013 at 11:37 pm
Heh. Did we break their server? I can't reach it, either here or through a Google search.
Sarah Adams June 17, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Hi Jennifer, Were you ever able to follow the link? If you are having any problems, you can alwaysRead More follow the link I provided down below. Please let us know if you have any questions! http://tinyurl.com/amp-Patch