In a move sure to enrage the car-loving LoCO commentariat, Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a new bill that makes it illegal for drivers to come within three feet of a bicyclist on state highways. (Sac Bee report.)
The new law — Assembly Bill 1371, or the “Three Feet for Safety Act” — requires motorists to either make sure there are three feet between their vehicles and any cyclist on the shoulder before they pass. What if there’s a small shoulder? What if you can’t put three feet between yourself and the bicyclist? Then you’re going to have to slow down and wait to pass until such time as you can. Or else you are guilty of a crime.
The penalty for first-time violators? $35.