Comments on: What Is a Safe Passing Distance? http://isocrates.us/bike/2009/12/what-is-a-safe-passing-distance/ Getting Around on Two Wheels and Two Feet Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:08:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Karl McCracken (twitter: @KarlOnSea) http://isocrates.us/bike/2009/12/what-is-a-safe-passing-distance/comment-page-1/#comment-5218 Karl McCracken (twitter: @KarlOnSea) Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:50:08 +0000 http://isocrates.us/bike/?p=2100#comment-5218 I'd agree with you as to the correct position for the bike in the picture - another 18-24 inches out. What I've found is that you have to be far enough out from the kerb to <i>force</i> the car to cross the centre line of the road. If not, they'll tend to keep inside the lane they're sharing with you . . . almost no matter how close this brings them to you! I’d agree with you as to the correct position for the bike in the picture – another 18-24 inches out.

What I’ve found is that you have to be far enough out from the kerb to force the car to cross the centre line of the road. If not, they’ll tend to keep inside the lane they’re sharing with you . . . almost no matter how close this brings them to you!

]]> By: Andy Cline http://isocrates.us/bike/2009/12/what-is-a-safe-passing-distance/comment-page-1/#comment-5195 Andy Cline Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:04:26 +0000 http://isocrates.us/bike/?p=2100#comment-5195 Alex... Downtown I can match speed, but not on most roads. You're right, I think, about the way most people act -- at least hereabouts. So the law is unnecessary. If advocates here really want to advance things, they'd push to codify the language in the Driver's Guide. Alex… Downtown I can match speed, but not on most roads. You’re right, I think, about the way most people act — at least hereabouts. So the law is unnecessary. If advocates here really want to advance things, they’d push to codify the language in the Driver’s Guide.

]]> By: Alexander http://isocrates.us/bike/2009/12/what-is-a-safe-passing-distance/comment-page-1/#comment-5194 Alexander Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:22:21 +0000 http://isocrates.us/bike/?p=2100#comment-5194 it seems like 3 - 5 doesn't matter so much because you still have to go into the other lane, which means you're treating cyclists like cars to be passed, which means in these road situations you have people moving at radically different speeds... can a cyclists meet the speed of traffic on these roads? it seems like 3 – 5 doesn’t matter so much because you still have to go into the other lane, which means you’re treating cyclists like cars to be passed, which means in these road situations you have people moving at radically different speeds… can a cyclists meet the speed of traffic on these roads?

]]> By: Andy Cline http://isocrates.us/bike/2009/12/what-is-a-safe-passing-distance/comment-page-1/#comment-5184 Andy Cline Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:38:13 +0000 http://isocrates.us/bike/?p=2100#comment-5184 Cycler... I understand your skepticism re: changing behavior. And, for me, that will probably be true because of my lane positioning. It's the gutter bunnies who will suffer. Cycler… I understand your skepticism re: changing behavior. And, for me, that will probably be true because of my lane positioning. It’s the gutter bunnies who will suffer.

]]> By: Cycler http://isocrates.us/bike/2009/12/what-is-a-safe-passing-distance/comment-page-1/#comment-5183 Cycler Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:32:57 +0000 http://isocrates.us/bike/?p=2100#comment-5183 Speed has a lot to do with comfortable passing distance. Someone passing me closely but slowly is much more comfortable than someone passing at high relative speed. I think that the 3' rule is more useful in a situation like Boston where too often people are trying to squeeze by with no clearance. If there is no law requiring safe distance, there is no standard to appeal to if someone buzzes you. That said, I'm skeptical that people are going to reduce their safe passing distance in response to this law if they were previously inclined to give more than 3'. Speed has a lot to do with comfortable passing distance. Someone passing me closely but slowly is much more comfortable than someone passing at high relative speed. I think that the 3′ rule is more useful in a situation like Boston where too often people are trying to squeeze by with no clearance. If there is no law requiring safe distance, there is no standard to appeal to if someone buzzes you.

That said, I’m skeptical that people are going to reduce their safe passing distance in response to this law if they were previously inclined to give more than 3′.

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