The Three Foot Passing Bill introduced by Assembly Member Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) in February received eleven “aye” votes and two “no” votes today in the Committee on Transportation. The bill now moves on to a hearing in the Committee on Appropriations at a date to be determined.
The members of the Committee on Appropriations you should contact to voice your support can be found here.
The bill would require the driver of a motor vehicle passing a bicyclist to allow three feet of space “between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator.” The bill mandates a fine of $35 per infraction, with the driver paying an additional $220 if there is a car-bicycle collision that injures the bicyclist because the driver did not provide three feet of passing space.
Mayor Villaraigosa supports this bill, and it will be important for the next mayor to maintain that support to ensure this important bill becomes law.
And don’t forget to sign Bicycle Fixation’s petition to Gov. Brown asking him NOT to veto this one!
http://signon.org/sign/three-feet-please
[…] third attempt at a California three-foot passing law passed its first hurdle in the state legislature; now its on the Appropriations Committee, even though it wouldn’t seem to require any. […]