Maryland's Three-Foot Law Calls for Buffer Space for Cyclists

September 19, 2012

“Give Bikes THREE FEET when passing – It’s the Law.”

GLEN BURNIE, MD -  The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is announcing a campaign with the theme, “Give Bikes THREE FEET When Passing – It’s the Law” to promote bicycle safety.  During the bicycle intensive fall season, the MVA added this important message to the outer envelope of 120,000 vehicle registration renewal notices.  Additionally, MVA distributed nearly 5,000 yard sticks (3-foot rulers) with the same message to visually illustrate the distance motorists must provide when overtaking a bicycle. 

“The MVA is committed to the safety of everyone who uses our roadways, including bicyclists,” said John Kuo MVA Administrator and Governor Martin O’Malley’s Highway Safety Representative.  “We're all working toward zero deaths in Maryland.  Our continued effort to educate the public and change behaviors will lead to fewer bicyclists being injured and killed on Maryland’s roads.”

In September, MVA produced and distributed a public service announcement (PSA) to communicate the safety rules for motorists as well as bicyclists.  The PSA emphasizes the need for everyone to share the roads.  It is available to be viewed on the MVA homepage at www.mva.maryland.gov .

“As more and more people are riding bicycles and embracing other green modes of transportation, we need to make certain that bicyclists and motorists know the basic rules of the road.  For everyone’s safety, the rules should be followed,” said Kuo.

Maryland enacted SB 51 -- Vehicle Laws – Bicycles, EPAMDs, and Motor Scooters – Rules of the Road which went into effect in October of 2010 and requires motorists to leave three feet of space when passing a bicyclist.  More detailed information on the rules of the road for bicyclists can be found beginning on page 29 of the Maryland Driver Manual at http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Resources/DL-002A.pdf .

CONTACT:
Buel Young
Caryn Coyle
MVA External Affairs
(410) 762-5188