NJ may soon become the 43rd state to enact a Safe Passing Law!

Safe Passing Bill and Safe Sharing One Step Closer for New Jersey Thanks to NJBWC and Advocacy Partners!

Tell Gov. Murphy To Sign The Safe Passing Law!

CALL @GovMurphy at 609-292-6000 or send an email at constituent.relations@nj.gov and tell him to sign the bill into law!

An advocacy story for the records, the campaign evolved from a simple 3-foot bill for bicyclists in 2009 to a move-over/4-foot bill for bike riders, pedestrians and other “vulnerable road users” in 2014. In 2021, the bill now addresses both the speed and distance at which a vehicle can pass other road users.
A package of bills — A5570, A5571, A5579, A5656 — approved by the Legislature and sent to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk would require drivers to change into another lane or leave at least 4 feet between their vehicle and the person they’re passing.”
 
“A retired police officer told a state Senate committee Thursday why he believes a law is needed to tell drivers how to safely pass people riding bikes, scooters and skateboards in the street — he’s had more close calls riding a bike than in decades in law enforcement.”
 
If you encounter a paywall with NJ.com check out this article from Atlantic City:
 
“Motor vehicles have been made much safer for their drivers and passengers. But in the past decade, those motor vehicles and their drivers have killed substantially more people on foot and riding bicycles. Every year, the death toll rises higher.”

Bicyclists Taking Space On The Road

Many of those who follow our media are people who drive cars, they also ride bikes or scooters, and they’re advocates for alternative transportation for climate, health and equity reasons.  But can we admit that we don’t really get the “share the road” relationship between drivers of automotive vehicles and other road users – bike riders in particular? As a bike commuter and avid cyclist, and a driver, it’s hard for me to figure out on a daily basis. Cycling Savvy explains it for us.

Did History & Law Really Intend For Cyclists To Ride Far To The Right?

Far too many cyclists, motorists and enforcement officers believe that cyclists need to ride as far to the right as possible, in order to allow a motorist to use the same lane. Neither history nor law support this.

The video (in the link below) illustrates the safety concerns of cyclists using the road, and how the bicyclist’s position on the roadway can dramatically increase or decrease the most common crash types.

The Institute for Police Technology & Management is using the video in its “Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety High Visibility Enforcement” course commissioned by the Florida Department of TransportationAmerican Bicycling Education Association provided this video and other materials for the course.

In addition we welcome other training organizations and instructors to use this video to educate officers and motorists.

WATCH:

https://cyclingsavvy.org/cycling-law/