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First 3' Law passes in NYS

    Suffolk County Passes NYS's first 3' Law!

    On March 16, 2021, the Suffolk County Legislator voted "Yes" to the passing N.Y.S.'s first three foot law, Resolution 1830.
    The resolution will now have to be signed into law by County Executive Belone before it becomes effective.

    NYBC is grateful to Legislator Hahn for her relentless effort in pushing this resolution forward despite months of resistance from her colleagues. We are glad to see they came around today.

    Thank you to everyone who contacted their legislators or testified to make this happen. They listened!

    The Body of the law is below:
    1830:

    Section 1. Legislative Intent.
    This Legislature hereby finds and determines that it is the duty of Suffolk County to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its residents.
    This Legislature also finds and determines that many Suffolk County residents ride bicycles for exercise, recreation, or as a primary mode of transport.
    This Legislature further finds and determines that when riding on roads, cyclists are vulnerable to the actions of motor vehicle operators.
    This Legislature determines that vehicles passing bicyclists pose a threat to the health and safety of these bicyclists if passing too closely or from the right side of the road.
    This Legislature also finds that a minimum passing distance should be established to protect bicyclists in Suffolk County and penalize those who disregard the safety of these vulnerable road users.
    Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish regulations to protect the health and safety of bicyclists in Suffolk County.

    Section 2. Minimum distance requirements for motor vehicles passing bicycles.
    The operator of a vehicle which is overtaking, from behind, a bicycle proceeding on the same side of the road shall pass to the left of such bicycle at a distance of at least three (3) feet until safely clear thereof.

    Section 3. Penalties.
    A. Any person committing the above referenced offense shall be guilty of a violation, punishable by a fine not to exceed $225 for a first offense, $325 for a second offense, and $425 for any third or subsequent offense(s).
    B. This section does not prohibit a person from being charged with, convicted of, or punished for any other violation of law.

    Section 4. Applicability.
    This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

    SBRA is a member of bicyclelongisland.org.


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