The 3-feet law, also known as the 3-foot law or safe passing law, is a bicycle law that requires passing motor vehicles to allow room, generally, for bicycles. The policy has gained significant interest in state legislatures in a number of states across the world.
Wisconsin became the first US state to employ this law in 1973, and since then 34 other states have followed suit.
However, some people doubt that laws like this can be enforced properly, and whether is even enough space for a bicyclist. Some bicyclists believe that laws that require they ride on the side of a particular lane could increase the risk of dooring and debris.[1]
There are also multiple campaigns and organizations advocating for this change in the US, using methods like cycling jerseys with text on and convincing the government to put up road signs.[2] [3] In the United Kingdom, a 2018 survey conducted for Cycling UK concluded that more than 50% of British adults were unaware of the Highway Code regulations about overtaking cyclists,[4] and 1 in 10 British adults would be leaving cyclists a dangerously low amount of space when overtaking. The same organization that reported on this also started a campaign to provide police forces across the UK with close pass mats to educate the public about safe passing.[5]