The Patriot-News: Gov. Corbett signs bicycle safe passing measure into law
Published: Friday, February 03, 2012
By DAN MILLER, The Patriot-News
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday signed into law a requirement that motorists when passing a bicyclist allow at least four feet of space between their vehicle and the bicycle.
The law makes it legal for a driver to cross a double yellow line into an opposing lane of traffic, when necessary to allow for the four feet clearance when passing a bicyclist on the right.
In cases where traffic is coming in the other direction, the motorist would have to wait until it is safe to pass the bicyclist and provide the mandated clearance.
The law further allows a bicyclist to ride slower on the road than the posted maximum speed, and makes it illegal for a vehicle to cut off a bicyclist when the motorist is turning right.
The state General Assembly approved the proposal without amendments. The law becomes effective 60 days from Thursday.
