Passing Cyclists Safely

Passing Cyclists Safely

Conversations come up about what is a safe distance to pass a cyclist while driving a vehicle. In 2018 Michigan adopted a three foot passing law which means motorists passing a bicycle in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance of at least three feet to the left of a bicycle. The following video discusses MCL 257.636.

At least nine Michigan major communities have enacted local five-foot passing ordinances, including Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Township, Muskegon, Norton Shores, Oshtemo Township, and Portage. These ordinances supersede the state statute meaning; in these communities you can be ticketed for passing a cyclist by less than five feet.

Michigan law allows a motorist to cross the double yellow line in a no passing zone to give a cyclist at least 3 feet (five feet where required by law) when safe to do so.

This law does not allow motorists to pass to the right of a bicyclist when they are riding as far to the right as practicable or taking the lane. MCL 257.637 prohibits motorists from leaving the roadway and driving onto the shoulder to pass a vehicle, including a bicyclist.

For enforcement purposes the distance is measured from the widest part of the vehicle (usually the rearview mirrors) to the widest part of the bicyclist (usually the handlebars).