Facts

12.2% Increase in Fatalities during 2015

In 2015 there were 45,000 cycling injuries and 818 cycling fatalities per NHTSA 2016 Aug report – and those are only the ones reported. This report also stated “Pedalcyclist fatalities increased by 89 (a 12.2-percent increase), and are at their highest level since 1995.” The real number is much higher and with more and more people of all ages turning to cycling as their primary form of transportation, greater cycling safety is essential. These numbers are preventable and it starts with awareness.

39 states and counting with safe passing zones for cyclists.

For 44 years, the cycling community has been pushing for laws mandating "comfortable distance" legislation to protect cyclists. To date, 39 states are on board. The most common version of the law requires a minimum passing distance of 3 feet, but others range from 2 to 6 feet. We need more states to follow suit.

Cycle Tracks are nothing new and the U.S. has 132 tracks and counting!

Cyclists have the same right to the roadway as motorists. CA civil code 21200 is shown below for example.

(a) A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicab upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division, including, but not limited to, provisions concerning driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs, and by Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000), Section 27400, Division 16.7 (commencing with Section 39000), Division 17 (commencing with Section 40000.1), and Division 18 (commencing with Section 42000), except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application.

Sharing the road as noted by the CA DMV:

When to Take the Traffic Lane

“A bicycle lane is a designated traffic lane for bicyclists, marked by a solid white line, and typically breaking into a dotted line at the corner. A bicycle lane is different from a simple white line showing the edge of the road because it follows specific width requirements and is clearly marked as a bike lane. Many roads do not have designated bicycle traffic lanes, so bicyclists share the traffic lane to the left of the white line. If there is no shoulder or bicycle lane and the traffic lane is narrow, ride closer to the center of the lane. This will prevent motorists from passing you when there is not enough room. Bicyclists can travel at speeds of 20 mph, or faster. You should also use the traffic lane when you are traveling at the same speed as the traffic around you. This will keep you out of motorists’ blind spots and reduce conflicts with right-turning traffic.”

Motorists Passing Bicyclists

“Be patient when passing a bicyclist. Slow down and pass only when it is safe. Do not squeeze the bicyclist off the road. If road conditions and space permit, allow clearance of at least three feet when passing a bicyclist.”

Below are helpful and informative links for cyclists and bicyclists alike.

Become more "savvy" about cycling on your roads:
http://cyclingsavvy.org/

Find out more about bike laws in your state:
http://www.bikeleague.org/

If you should be in an accident and you can't speak for yourself, ROAD ID will speak for you:
https://www.roadid.com/pages/find-your-id

Three foot law in California:
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/

For your convenience, the information below is a copy from http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/safely-passing-bicyclists.aspx

State Statutes Regarding Motorists Passing Bicyclists
States	Statute	Summary of Laws
Alabama	Ala. Code § 32-5A-82	This law defines, for purposes of a vehicle overtaking and passing a bicycle, a safe distance to mean not less than three feet on a roadway that has a marked bicycle lane or a roadway without a marked bicycle lane if the roadway has a marked speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less and the roadway does not have a double yellow line separating cars from oncoming traffic indicating a no passing zone. This shall only apply when a cyclist is riding within two feet of the right shoulder of the roadway.
Alaska	None
Arizona	A.R.S. § 28-735	Exercise due care by leaving a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three (3) feet until the motor vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle.
Arkansas	A.C.A. § 27-51-311	Exercise due care and pass to the left at a safe distance of not less than three (3) feet and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle.
California	Cal Veh. Code § 21760	A driver of a motor vehicle shall not overtake or pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a highway at a distance of less than three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator. The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking and passing a bicycle shall do so at a safe distance that does not interfere with the safe operation of the overtaken bicycle, having due regard for the size and speed of the motor vehicle and the bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and the surface and width of the highway.
Colorado	C.R.S. 42-4-1002	Allow the bicyclist at least a three (3) foot separation between the right side of the driver's vehicle, including all mirrors or other projections, and the left side of the bicyclist at all times.
Connecticut	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-232	A "safe distance" means not less than three (3) feet when the driver of a vehicle overtakes and passes a person riding a bicycle .
Delaware	21 Del. C. § 4116	Proceed with caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle to a safe speed and leave a reasonable and prudent distance by providing a minimum of three (3) feet of clearance while passing such bicyclist.
District of Columbia	Rule 18-2202.10	Exercise due care by leaving a safe distance, but in no case less than three (3) feet, when overtaking and passing a bicycle.
Florida	Fla. Stat. § 316.083	Must pass the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle at a safe distance of not less than three (3) feet between the vehicle and the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle.
Georgia	O.C.G.A. § 40-6-56	Leave a safe distance between such vehicle and the bicycle and shall maintain such clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle. The term "safe distance" means not less than three (3) feet .
Guam	None
Hawaii	None
Idaho	None
Illinois	625 ILCS 5/11-703	Leave a safe distance, but not less than three (3) feet, when passing the bicycle or individual and shall maintain that distance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or individual.
Indiana	None
Iowa	None
Kansas	K.S.A. § 8-1516	Pass to the left at a distance of not less than three (3) feet and do not drive to the right side of the roadway until the vehicle is safely clear of the overtaken bicycle.
Kentucky	None
Louisiana	La. R.S. 32:76.1	Pass with not less than three (3) feet and maintain such clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.
Maine	29-A M.R.S. § 2070	Pass with a distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three (3) feet.
Maryland	Md. TRANSPORTATION Code Ann. § 21-1209	Must pass safely at a distance of not less than three (3) feet.
Massachusetts	ALM GL ch. 89, § 2	If it is not possible to overtake a bicycle or other vehicle at a safe distance in the same lane, the overtaking vehicle shall use all or part of an adjacent lane if it is safe to do so or wait for a safe opportunity to overtake.
Michigan	None
Minnesota	Minn. Stat. § 169.18	Leave a safe distance, but in no case less than three (3) feet clearance, when passing a bicycle or individual and maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or individual.
Mississippi	Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-1309	Leave a safe distance of not less than three (3) feet between the vehicle and the bicyclist and maintain such clearance until safely past the bicycle.
Missouri	§ 300.411 R.S.Mo	Leave a safe distance when passing the bicycle, and maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.
Montana	Mont. Code Anno., § 61-8-320	Overtake and pass a person riding a bicycle only when the operator of the motor vehicle can do so safely without endangering the person riding the bicycle.
Nebraska	Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6, 133	The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device proceeding in the same direction shall exercise due care, which shall include, but not be limited to, leaving a safe distance of no less than three feet clearance, when applicable, when passing a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device and shall maintain such clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device.
Nevada	Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 484B.270	Must pass to the left with no less than three (3) feet between any portion of the vehicle and the bicycle.
New Hampshire	RSA 265:143-a	Leave a reasonable and prudent distance between the vehicle and the bicycle. The distance shall be presumed to be reasonable and prudent if it is at least three (3) feet when the vehicle is traveling at 30 miles per hour or less, with one additional foot of clearance required for every 10 miles per hour above 30 miles per hour.
New Jersey	None
New Mexico	None
New York	NY CLS Veh. & Tr. § 1122-a	The operator of a vehicle overtaking, from behind, a bicycle proceeding on the same side of a roadway shall pass to the left of such bicycle at a safe distance until safely clear thereof.
North Carolina	N.C. Gen Stat. § 20-149 and 20-150	The driver of any such vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at least two feet to the left thereof, and shall not again drive to the right side of the highway until safely clear of such overtaken vehicle. In a no-pass zone, a motorist may pass a bicyclist if (1) The slower moving vehicle to be passed is a bicycle or a moped. (2) The slower moving vehicle is proceeding in the same direction as the faster moving vehicle. (3) The driver of the faster moving vehicle either (i) provides a minimum of four feet between the faster moving vehicle and the slower moving vehicle or (ii) completely enters the left lane of the highway. (4) The operator of the slower moving vehicle is not (i) making a left turn or (ii) signaling to communicate a left turn. (5) The driver of the faster moving vehicle complies with all other applicable requirements.
North Dakota	None
Ohio	Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 4511.27	The operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle shall pass to the left at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. When a motor vehicle overtakes and passes a bicycle, three feet or greater is considered a safe passing distance.
Oklahoma	47 Okl. St. §11-1208	Pass with a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three (3) feet until the motor vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle.
Oregon	ORS § 811.065	A speed less than 35 mph and a "safe distance" means a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver's lane of traffic.
Pennsylvania	75 Pa.C.S. § 3303	Pass to the left of the pedalcycle within not less than four (4) feet at a careful and prudent reduced speed.
Puerto Rico	None
Rhode Island	R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-18	A speed less than 15 mph and a "safe distance" means a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver's lane of traffic.
South Carolina	S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3435	A driver of a motor vehicle must at all times maintain a safe operating distance between the motor vehicle and a bicycle.
South Dakota	S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 32-26-26.1.	A motorist overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction must allow a minimum of a three foot separation between the right side of the driver's vehicle, including any mirror or other projection, and the left side of the bicycle if the posted limit is thirty-five miles per hour or less and a minimum of six feet separation if the posted limit is greater than thirty five miles per hour. A motorist overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction may partially cross the highway centerline between two lanes of travel in the same direction if it can be performed safely. The driver of the motor vehicle shall maintain that separation until safely past the overtaken bicycle.
Tennessee	Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-175	Leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet (3') and shall maintain the clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.
Texas	None
Utah	Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-706.5	A motor vehicle may not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly operate a motor vehicle within three (3) feet of a moving bicycle, unless the operator of the motor vehicle operates the motor vehicle within a reasonable and safe distance of the bicycle.
Vermont	23 V.S.A. § 1033	Exercise due care, which includes increasing clearance, to pass the vulnerable user safely.
Virginia	Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-839	A reasonable speed at least three feet to the left of the overtaken bicycle.
Washington	Wash Rev. Code § 46.61.110	The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian or bicycle that is on the roadway or on the right-hand shoulder or bicycle lane of the roadway shall pass to the left at a safe distance to clearly avoid coming into contact with the pedestrian or bicyclist, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken pedestrian or bicyclist.
West Virginia	W Va. Code § 17C-7-3	The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle traveling in the same direction shall pass to the left of the bicycle at a distance of not less than three feet at a careful and reduced speed, and may not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle.
Wisconsin	Wis. Stat. § 346.075	Exercise due care, leaving a safe distance, but in no case less than three (3) feet clearance when passing the bicycle and maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.
Wyoming	Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-203	A motorist overtaking and passing a bicycle that is operating lawfully and proceeding in the same direction, must, when space allows, maintain at least a three foot separation between the right side of the driver's motor vehicle, including all mirrors and other projections from the motor vehicle, and the bicycle.