The three feet safety passing rule

Keeping three feet from a bike lane or a cyclist (if in a shared lane) is a good rule of thumb—and it’s also the law in many states. While some states give less room, and others more, it’s generally agreed that three feet give a cyclist enough space to not get swiped by a rearview mirror, be able to move freely to dodge debris or potholes, as needed, and to pass other cyclists safely. It can also give you both a feeling of security as you share the road.

Check out this video from the Roswell, Georgia Police Department—it’s one of the best demos of the three feet rule that we’ve seen.

Pay attention to bike signs and road markings

It’s super important to pay attention to road signs and road markings so that you know where you’re allowed to be as a driver and where cyclists are allowed to be. (Knowing also helps avoid the frustration factor that might kick in if you don’t know that cyclists can take up the full lane on a shared lane, and can be in the center of a lane when making a turn.)

Also, be mindful of sign changes (like those that signal a bike lane beginning or ending) so that you aren’t surprised when a cyclist moves from one part of the road to another.

Hovering isn’t helpful

You might think it’s polite, or safer, to go slower or hover when you’re approaching a bike or when one is next to you. You have the best of intentions, but it turns out that this is not helpful!

The cyclist will likely feel pressured to go faster than they should, or you may make them nervous and more likely to make a mistake. Driving a little slower is okay, but as long as you use the three feet rule it’s also fine to just drive normally.

Make a hard stop

When at crosswalks or stop signs, make sure to make a hard stop. Hard stopping isn’t just slowing down and rolling through, or even just halting temporarily. Hard stopping is making sure you come to a complete stop, look both ways for oncoming cyclists or pedestrians, make eye contact, and proceed with caution.

Aggressive driving isn’t cool

Aggressive driving and aggressive riding doesn’t help anyone. Getting riled up, yelling, driving too close to a cyclist, and speeding won’t help you get to your destination any faster—but someone may end up getting hurt.

Steer clear of bike lanes

On busy city streets, bike lanes often run to the left side of parking spaces.

Parking so you partly or fully block a bike lane—even if “It’s just for five minutes!”—can be really dangerous for cyclists and for other drivers because cyclists will have to stop short or veer into traffic to avoid your car.

Open your door with care

Even when you’re properly parked, be mindful that a cyclist approaching from behind probably can’t see that you’re in your car.

If you open your door suddenly (known as “dooring”), they could be thrown off their bike and be seriously injured or killed.

Use the “Dutch reach” to avoid dooring

Keep cyclists safe by getting in the habit of doing the “Dutch reach” (also known as the “far reach” or “reach”).

Reach to open your door with the hand furthest from the door (your right hand in the U.S.). When you do this, your body naturally twists so you can look out the rearview mirror and behind you to see any bikes coming your way before you slowly open your door.

Check out this video from the New York Bicycling Coalition for a great demo:

Keep your eyes on the road

We all know this basic rule of driving :) but sometimes we (especially new drivers) can get distracted.

Just remember, to keep everyone safe, keep your eyes where they need to be: on the road and not on your friends or on your phone.