COLUMBUS, OH - Today, Ohio’s “Three Foot Rule” will go into effect to protect bicyclists throughout the state from passing motorists; Gov. Kasich signed the law in December 2016.
The new law will: (1) prevent collisions between bicyclists and motor vehicles; (2) allow bicyclists to safely navigate around hazards in the street or bicycle lane; (3) give young and less experienced bicyclists space to navigate obstacles and avoid wind shear caused by large motor vehicles; (4) encourage and embolden all Ohioans to bicycle for work, school and recreation, without fear of passing motorists; and (5) permit vehicles to move through intersections with faulty or unresponsive traffic signals, after first stopping and yielding the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.
In response to today’s news, Jennifer Miller, Director of the Sierra Club's Ohio Chapter, released the following statement:
“For years, Ohio has suffered an unacceptable and avoidable number of bicycling injuries and fatalities on our roadways. The cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and 26 states all have adopted legislation requiring motorists to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing, and today that protection has been extended to all Ohioans. Passed with bipartisan support, House Bill 154 - the “Three Foot Rule” will save lives and encourage Ohioans to choose a safe, cheap, healthy, and clean mode of alternative transportation.
“We thank the Legislature and Governor Kasich for passing a common sense, no-cost rule that makes Ohio’s roadways safer for everyone.”