Enforcement is a key component to ensure safe and secure travel options. Law enforcement agencies have a role to play in raising awareness about safety issues; influencing behaviors and social norms; setting policies; and reinforcing and supporting educational and engineering programs and strategies. One of the ways that enforcement can advance safety for bicyclists is by enforcing safe passing laws. Although laws vary by state, most states require motorists to give at least three feet of passing room when overtaking other motor vehicles or bicycles moving in the same direction. The general consensus across these passing laws is that motorists should wait until traffic conditions are clear and safe to comfortably pass a bicyclist before moving back into the lane, as they do when passing other motorists. Some states even require a motorist to completely change lanes in order to pass safely.

Learning how to safely and considerately pass an individual or group of bicyclists is an important skill for motorists. In fact, 28% of bicyclist fatalities nationally are caused by motorists overtaking cyclists illegally. However, these laws are not emphasized in driver education and training and often are not enforced. One enforcement technique outfits an officer with a bicycle with a camera and a device to measure distance. When a motorist passes a bicycling officer too closely, the officer can radio to another officer to pull over and educate the motorist on the law or issue a citation.

Resources

Animated Crash Scenario
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
Video series portrays some of the most common situations that lead to a crash involving a driver and a pedestrian or bicyclist. Each video shows a crash, portraying it from a combination of aerial, driver, pedestrian and/or bicyclist perspectives.

Multimodal Bike Planning Infographic
FHWA Office of International Programs
Provides an overview of multimodal bike planning learned through binational collaboration with the Netherlands.

An Advocacy Guide to Repealing Harmful Traffic Laws: Setting Up Your Policy Campaign for Success
Safe Routes Partnership
Provides strategies for repealing racially enforced traffic laws.

Bicyclist Stop-as-Yield Law Analysis
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Analyzes the effects of stop-as-yield laws on bicyclist safety, crashes, and behavior. Reports reduced crash rates, particularly at suburban stop-controlled and urban signal-controlled intersections. Suggests these laws do not significantly impact reckless bicycling behavior but recommends further study of crash-contributory factors.

Fair Warnings: Recommendations to Promote Equity in Speed Safety Camera Programs
Vision Zero Network
Introduces a new resource highlighting how speed cameras can serve as an alternative to traditional enforcement when thoughtfully planned, implemented, and monitored with a focus on equity. Provides a summary and details on a January 28 webinar.

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Examples

Pedestrian Safety Enforcement DVDs
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
Pedestrian and bicycle safety enforcement DVDs used in Wisconsin to educate and train local traffic officers, drivers education students, and members of the general public.

Missoula Pedestrian Safety Campaign
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
Missoula combines radio and television announcements with targeted enforcement to increase yielding rates of drivers for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Campaign
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
Burlington uses an annual pedestrian safety campaign, including education, enforcement, and engineering measures, to institutionalize pedestrian and bicycle safety in the community.

"Cross Safely Drive Safely"
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
In order to prevent future pedestrian injuries at the University of Massachusetts, the UMass Police and UMassSAFE partnership worked together to develop and implement the "Cross Safely Drive Safely" program, which included education, enforcement, and evaluation to improve pedestrian safety.

'Cops in Crosswalks': Pedestrian Decoy Enforcement in New Jersey
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
The New Jersey Pedestrian Decoy Safety Program, 'Cops in Crosswalks,' worked to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and new driving laws regarding crosswalks.

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