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See.Safe.Smart: Drive 3 feet away – keep us safe

Did you know that it’s now legal for a driver to pass a bicycle in a “no passing” zone if it’s safe to do so? In 2017, the Minnesota State Legislature passed a new transportation bill, which included the change to an existing law. The new update not only makes passing more convenient for drivers, but also safer for bicyclists. That’s because it also serves as an important reminder for people that the law requires a driver to have at least three feet distance to pass a bicyclist on the road.

With New Ulm officially designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community, it’s time to put our commitment to the test. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, we need to ensure everyone in New Ulm understands and follows the laws. Accordingly, The Heart of New Ulm Project’s Safe Routes to School Action Team is pleased to promote this month’s SEE.SAFE.SMART. campaign message, which is “Drive 3 feet away — keep us safe.”

Here’s a quick look at what you need to know about the new law change when it comes to driving a car and passing a bicycle:

What: When Governor Dayton signed the new transportation bill into effect in 2017, it enacted the change to the law. The revision to the law was advocated by the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN) and allows motorists the ability to pass a bicycle in a “no passing” zone, if safe to do so.

Why: Under both the previous version of the law as well as the new change, a motorist must have three feet or more distance to pass a bicyclist. However, on many narrow Minnesota roads, this isn’t always possible without changing lanes. Thus, prior to the new change, in “no passing” zones, a driver could pass a bicycle only if they kept a distance of three feet when passing and also stayed on the right side of the double yellow line (indicating a “no passing” zone). This new update to the law now makes it legal so a driver can change lanes to pass a bicycle — even in a “no passing” zone — when safe to do so.

The impact: Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggests that 45 percent of bicyclist deaths may be due to unsafe passing. This law change expands opportunities for safe automobile passing while improving the flow of overall road traffic. The change has already been proven successful in nine other states.

In a news release about the change, BikeMN’s Executive Director Dorian Grilley said, “This revision to the law is a convenience for motorists because it legalizes a current practice of reasonable driving, especially on the many flat and straight low-speed roads in our communities. Many people see the double yellow line and they think, ‘Oh, I can squeeze by that bicycle in the 12-foot lane ahead,'” Grilley said. “Now we hope drivers will allow bicyclists a little more space without fear of getting a ticket.”

Guidelines for bicyclists: Remember, for people age 10 and older, riding on the street is safer than riding on the sidewalk. Due to the number of driveway and intersection crossings, more accidents happen with bicyclists on the sidewalk than on the street. That’s because when a driver is looking to pull out into the street, he or she is looking out for other vehicles — they’re not watching the sidewalk for someone on a bike. A bicyclist can’t stop as quickly as someone who is walking can when they encounter a vehicle pulling out of a driveway or turning at an intersection.

BikeMN encourages bicyclists age 10 and older to ride on the street where they are visible and have room to maneuver. The law states bicyclists should ride as far to the right as practicable, which does not mean as far to the right as possible. Bicyclists should ride at least a minimum of 24 inches away from the road edge and away from the curb in the right wheel track of vehicles. Riding away from the curb gives a bicyclist enough room to maneuver around the road hazards that are often located next to the curb. Much debris from the road finds itself next to the curb, which could easily cause a flat tire on many bikes.

The language of the law: Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.18, subdivision 5, is amended to read: a motor vehicle may be driven to the left side of the roadway (in a no passing zone) to safely overtake a bicycle under the following circumstances:

(1) the bicycle is proceeding in the same direction as the motor vehicle;

(2) the driver of the motor vehicle either (i) provides a safe clearance distance, in no case less than the greater of three feet or one-half the width of the motor vehicle, or (ii) completely enters the left lane of the highway;

(3) the operator of the bicycle is not (i) making a left turn, or (ii) signaling that the bicycle operator intends to make a left turn; and

(4) the driver of the motor vehicle complies with all other applicable requirements under this section.

Thanks to everyone in New Ulm for making a commitment to SEE people biking and walking, act SAFE, and be SMART.

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