What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
4 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 41–13
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.600
- Referred to transportation
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to operators of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle from behind
Purpose
To amend the vehicle and traffic law to allow a safe passing distance for motorists from bicyclists who share the roadway.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends subsection (1) of Section 1122-a of the vehicle and traffic law by adding that when overtaking, from behind, a bicycle proceeding in the same side of a roadway shall pass to the left of such bicycle at a minimum distance of three feet when safely able to do so. Subsection (2) is added stating that in the event of a collision between a motor vehicle and an individual operating a bicycle on the same side of a roadway shall be evidence of the operator's failure to pass such a bicyclist at a minimum distance of three feet.
Justification
With the Department of Transportation actively installing bike lanes on state roadways throughout the state, this legislation is timely and necessary to support the increased bicycle traffic. A specific distance, three feet, was chosen in order to provide an easily understood distance for motorists. Specifying three feet as the minimum passing distance provides adequate space for bicyclists to safely travel on the road.
The second key portion of this bill seeks to limit passing maneuver attempts to instances when the roadway is unobstructed to avoid potentially dangerous situations for all motorists. The law makes clear its intention not to authorize passing when it is otherwise prohibited by law, and states that if the passing maneuver in a no-passing zone causes injury or death to the bicyclist then such an act is "prima facie" evidence of the offense, which means that no further proof is necessary to establish the elements of the violation.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.