New Law Requires California Drivers To Leave 3-Feet When Passing Bicyclists
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- A new law requiring California drivers to keep a buffer between cars and bicyclists goes into effect Tuesday.
California's New '3-Foot Buffer Zone' For Cyclists Begins Tuesday
Drivers will be required to give cyclists three feet of space when passing, or slow down and wait until there is room.
Bicyclist Chuck Below who rides in the Oakland Hills said he welcomes the buffer zone.
"We do need that safety zone for cars passing because we can't usually see them coming from behind," he said.
UPS driver Doug Baty said he already goes the law one better.
"We actually have a rule at UPS saying 4 feet around your truck at all times," he said.
But driver and former cyclist Evan Mykelbust said he doesn't know how the law will be enforced and worries it could cause more conflict between drivers and bicyclists.
"Is it just my word against his, his word against mine? Are we supposed to have a measure tape in our car at all times?" he said.
A lesser known part of the law states the bicyclists must pull over if five or vehicles stack behind them waiting to pass safely.
Over 150 bicyclists were killed in California in 2012.
KCBS, KPIX 5 and Chronicle Insider said that this "buffer zone" is controversial because although this new law is meant to improve the safety for cyclists, many still violate basic traffic laws causing drivers to get agitated.
"The question is, if it's being implemented, is whether this solution is in reality just a one-way street in the cyclists' direction, leaving the motorist with a lot of confusion and questions about how they are supposed to handle it," Matier said.
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