By The Heart of New Ulm

The Heart of New Ulm Project’s Safe Routes to School Action Team is pleased to promote May’s SEE.SAFE.SMART. campaign message, which is “Drive 3 feet away — keep us safe.”

With New Ulm officially designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community — first in 2017 and again in 2021 — 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 when it comes to keeping bicyclists safe.

Why drive 3 feet away?

What about passing a bicyclist?

Here are some facts:

• Minnesota state law requires a driver to have at least 3 feet distance to pass a bicyclist on the road for safety. While 3 feet is the minimum passing distance a motor vehicle must provide, more space is better and needed for safety at higher speeds.

• On many narrow Minnesota roads, passing isn’t always possible without changing lanes. That’s why since 2017, it’s been legal in Minnesota for a driver to pass a bicycle even in a “no passing” zone (double yellow line) if it’s safe to do so. This makes passing more convenient for drivers, but also safer for bicyclists.

Are there recent Minnesota laws related to bicycling?

• In 2023, the Minnesota legislature passed a change in the law that states that bicyclists approaching a stop sign must slow down enough that they’re able to make a stop if there is traffic nearby, but may go through the intersection without stopping if there are no vehicles in the vicinity. Minnesota has not changed the laws for bicyclists approaching a red light, with cyclists still required to stop and wait.

• When approaching a stop sign, a bicyclist should be traveling slow enough to stop before the crosswalk if necessary. However after yielding, if there is not a pedestrian crossing in front of you or other approaching near enough to constitute an immediate hazard, you may continue without making a full stop.

Guidelines for sharing the road with bicyclists:

• Be patient when passing a bicyclist — slow down and pass only when it’s safe. Allow clearance of at least three feet.

• Look before you merge — check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

• Be on the lookout — watch for and yield to bicyclists before making a turn.

• Use extra caution around young bicyclists — children’s movements can be unpredictable.

• Be respectful — don’t speed past a bicyclist to make an upcoming right turn. It’s easy to misjudge how fast bicyclists are traveling.

• Exit your vehicle safely — look for bicyclists before opening your car door.

• Think before you honk — honking may startle a bicyclist and cause a crash.

• Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.

Here are some guidelines for bicyclists:

• Ride on the road in the same direction as traffic. Never ride facing oncoming traffic.

• 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.

• Obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as you would when driving. The only exception is that bicyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs when the intersection is clear.

• Ride predictably — maintain a straight course and avoid weaving between parked cars.

• Communicate your intent — look, yield to traffic and signal before turning or changing lanes.

• Use good judgment. Remember that you are sharing the road, and it is important to be predictable to avoid a crash.

• Use extreme caution near commercial vehicles — pass only on the left and recognize drivers’ blind spots.

• See and be seen — wear bright colors, reflective gear and use head and tail lights.

• Protect yourself — wear a helmet.

• Stick to roads and trails — sidewalk riding puts you at risk for crashes at driveways and intersections. Always yield to pedestrians.

• Avoid distracted bicycling ‚ put away mobile devices and headphones.

What about riding on the sidewalk?

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.

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