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What is the 3 Ft. Law?

By
Real Estate Agent with Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC RB14037276

What is the 3 Ft. Law?

 Three Bills have been introduced in Indiana, for the passing of the 3 Ft. Law.  It all has to do with Bicycles.  Since they have to share the road with the cars, they want to safeguard the riders of these bikes. When passing the bicycles, they was to make it a law that the driver must allow 3 Ft distance between the two.

The three Bills related, include the distance issue, the correct procedure, when passing and pulling in front of the cyclist and the penalties for the violations.

Eight cities, in Indiana have already adopted this law, while the rest of the State awaits passage.  The cities that have already put this law in place are:  Indianapolis, Carmel, Lafayette, West Lafayette, Seymour, South Bend and Elkhart.

It's another sign to read, as we are driving down the road, but it is a necessary one, that will help protect our children, college students and others that are trying to stay in shape and also help save the polution of the world one pedal at a time.

 

Has your area considered the 3 Ft. Law yet?

 

Now that school is back in session, it's more important than ever!

 

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If you know someone who wants to Buy or Sell a Home in Elkhart County,

St Joseph County, or surrounding areas, have them call me:

Larry Johnston, 574-304-7577

Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC

Elkhart, Indiana

or email larry@larry-johnston.com   

 

Comments (28)

Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Larry

With the number pf people riding bikes today . . . . the 3 foot rule sounds like a good idea.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Aug 17, 2015 11:36 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

To hurt someone on a bike would be a tragic for everyone. It is a little scary to have car's and bike together, especially when the people on bicycles ignore the traffic laws. Somehow we all have to get along on the road.

Aug 17, 2015 01:23 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Larry. I am not aware that such a law exists in our state, but wouldn't have any problem with it. If it was created in our state it would be for the purpose of fining the public.

Aug 17, 2015 07:22 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I believe that it's the law in Florida as well, though often ignored.  It needs to be enforced.

Aug 17, 2015 09:07 PM
Richard Burge Realty/ Burge Homes
Richard Burge Realty/Burge Homes - Conway, SC
Broker in Charge/Owner

In NC at the beaches there are signs posted that say bicycle route but no extra payment for them to travel on.  Very misleading and dangerous for the riders.

Three feet rule is just common sense posted as law.

Our moped bikes (liquor cycles) present more of a hazard because of the slow speed they travel.  Most are riding due to lossing their license due to DUI and they have no insurance and some think they own the roads and do not stay toward the right side of the road.  At least once a month someone is hit or killed on them..

Aug 17, 2015 10:02 PM
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

Yes, Florida has the "3 foot" law as well.  Careful drivers don't need a law telling them to use caution and keep some space between you and bicyclist and then there's the others.

Aug 17, 2015 10:27 PM
Jason Anderson
Platinum Realty - West Des Moines, IA
Realtor®, Organizational Expert

The 3 foot law should be enacted in every state-some areas even have a 5 foot law.  Besides that law, it would be even better if roads had well kept, wide shoulders for cyclists.

Aug 17, 2015 10:38 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Larry. I like the law but wonder if there are bike lanes too?

Aug 17, 2015 11:10 PM
Mandi Null
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN

It's a great law to have in place if wrong-doers are caught. But in reality it's the same as the "no slow poking in the left lane" law. People know it's there but they do what they want anyways. In my experience, most drivers are patient and will go around you when the coast is clear. However, there are those drivers who fly by you making you wobble on your bike out of fear of proximity to their massive metal machine. People's impatience trumps their common sense these days. What would be great is for the state to put in bike lanes, at least on common travel routes.

Aug 17, 2015 11:24 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

I used to ride my bike in Portland when I lived there about 12 years ago. No more. I had too many near misses with cars.  3 feet between is a good idea and I hope drivers adhere to the law. 

Aug 18, 2015 12:21 AM
Bill Kennedy
Keller Williams Greenville Upstate - Greenville, SC
Homes For Sale Greenville SC

This might be the law in SC, but I've never seen a sign for it. It definitely should be with all the cyclist we have in the area. 

Aug 18, 2015 01:21 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

We have designated bike lanes pretty much everywhere around me so I doubt there would need to be an additional law here. But I like the idea for areas that don't have bike lanes. 

Aug 18, 2015 02:50 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Larry, 

No 3 ft law here in Texas as pedestrians and bike riders are like targets in the neck of the woods. I could see Austin TX adopting something like this but not here. I think it is an excellent idea assuming the bike rider is not in the middle of a two lane road! 

Aug 18, 2015 05:52 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Larry - I don't think that this has been done in New York yet.  But I haven't double checked.

Aug 18, 2015 06:31 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I'm not aware of it here Larry Johnston but I'll ask my daughter who just got her permit. It's a good law if the bike riders have to stay at least 3' from the painted stripe in the middle as well.

Aug 18, 2015 08:18 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Larry, have not heard of this, but sure sounds like it will keep the bikers safe while riding! 

Aug 19, 2015 01:37 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Hello Larry Johnston 

It is not a law here yet, but I am sure it will be coming.  Dallas is being proactive in adding 3 ft notices on the pavement downtown bringing this to everyone's attention.

Aug 19, 2015 04:19 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Larry there is no 3 foot law that I'm aware in Phoenix area. A few areas have bike lanes but not many.   Sure makes sense to me to keep the roads safe for bikers and drivers.

Aug 19, 2015 06:06 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I saw a biker on a busy dangerous highway that had traffic backed up on it. They have every right to use the roads but I am afraid for their safety with crazy drivers.

Aug 19, 2015 01:32 PM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Interesting proposal, Larry Johnston for Indiana.  Here we have signs that say, 'Share the road.'  Just be careful is my motto.

Aug 20, 2015 08:21 AM