The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition supports efforts to improve conditions on our roads that make it safe for bicyclists to operate. Many crashes involving motor vehicles and bicycles result from poor driving practices and drivers’ lack of education on the right of way for bicyclists. We believe that AB 60 (Nava) will help raise the level of awareness and education for motorists on how to safely share the road with bicyclists.

Many motorists do not understand that current law requires a driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle must pass at a safe distance without interfering with the safe operation of the overtaken bicycle. SB 60, by stating that the MINIMUM such safe distance is 3 feet, will give some guidance to motorists. It is clear, however, that in many cases, depending on speed and road conditions, 3 feet is not adequate for safety.

Unfortunately, much of the debate about this bill has been on how sometimes 3 feet is not available for a vehicle to pass. This misses the essential point that the goal we seek is to save human life and allow our roads to be used by all of us. By exercising courtesy, patience, and respect for others, we can all go a long way towards sharing our roads safely.

Obey the law, obey common sense, pass only when it safe to do so.