3-Feet rule

[AnnieBikes]

This is an incredible newscast from FOX, which I got from my local road club web site, but came from 3feetplease web site. It is 5 minutes well worth watching.

http://www.3feetplease.com/Media.html

:(

[Thorn]

Ah, Jeff aka bikesafer.... http://bikesafer.blogspot.com/

I applaud Jeff's work.

[gilly]

Does anyone have one of the jersey's ?

If you do, perhaps you'd be happy to give us a small review of them?

I have sent a mail asking if they ship to UK, their site doesn't seem to offer the option

[DebW]

I think 3 feet is too simplistic. There needs to be a formula incorporating the the volume and speed of the vehicle. Clearly a semi-truck at 50 mph has a wider range of influence (wake and vortex) than a Honda Fit at 30 mph. But 3 feet is probably good for most roads that cyclists ride on (assume speed limts less that 45 mph and few large trucks/buses).

[Biciclista]

I agree with you Deb. Without getting out yardsticks, who can judge what 3 feet is from a moving vehicle? and if you'll look at the fenders and bumpers of cars :eek::eek::eek: you might notice that they have no idea where their cars begin and end anyway. three feet from what? :eek::eek:

[Thorn]

Never the less, in many states 3 feet is the law, yet most motorists don't releaize it. I live in a 3 foot state. As I explained to one motorist, that would be 3 feet from the edge of your outside mirror to the edge of my oversized middle-aged a**. He really had no idea and had felt his pass was safe.

The guy in that video (who is not the guy selling the jerseys) has not just been educating motorists, he's been educating local law enforcement. If a cyclist is hit is almost certainly a violation of the 3-foot rule. While that should constitute an immediate ticket, alas, it does not. Oh for the world where I could get at least 3 feet from every vehicle.

[PscyclePath]

The 3-foot laws exist now in 14 states; with Texas still in the runnig to become #15. It's a decent, "feel good" law, but the problem is that they are virtually never enforced. Tennessee's 3-foot passing law didn't protect David Meek in Chattanooga early last month when he was buzzed by a mail truck, which caught his left pannier and dragged him and his bike under the rear wheels. Dave died; the driver, protesting "I never saw him," was not indicted for violating the law despite the prima facie evidence of the dead cyclist.

Arkansas has had the law on the books now for 2 years, NO ONE has been cited or ticketed for its violation; for the most part even the cops don't know the law is on the books because there's been no outreach or education about it outside of the various "Road I" classes.

[Biciclista]

don't feel bad, some of the police in my fair city don't know the difference between a parking lane and a bike lane even when all are clearly marked. Expecting them to be able to understand or enforce a 3 foot rule is beyond reasonable expectations.

[OakLeaf]

aw, h*ll, they can't even understand assured clear distance when the object in front of the car happens to be a bicycle. :mad:

[malkin]

Many drivers seem to think it means 3' from the driver's seat.

[tctrek]

In Bicycle Vahala where the sun always shines and the temperature is always 70 degrees and the uphill climbs feel like downhill coasting, the 3 feet rule is alive and well. :)

[jmizereck]

Gilly, yes, I will mail a "3 Feet Please" jersey to you in the UK. I mail them all over the world. You will find them on cyclists from South Africa to Singapore to Jerusalem to Canada. I have been amazed with the the response I have received. And the great news is cyclists reporting back to me say more motorists are giving them more space more often...in other words, it's working.

Let me know if you have any other questions...and may I also invite you to test drive another tool I am developing to help save cyclists' lives: www.RoadGuardian.com. This is the first global program for reporting, marking and sharing cycling incidents and trouble spots. It is just about to move out of beta version.

Thank you,
Joe
joe@3feetplease.com

[gilly]

We don't actually have the '3 feet rule' here in the UK. The link below shows rule 163 of our Highway Code. It's look idyllic eh? ...ahhh if only :rolleyes: So I'll be ordering 3 feet Please jersey, without the It's Law on the front, although, frankly? most of our drivers wouldn't have a clue if it were the law or not :eek:

And, thank you Joe, I'll check out your link later when I have more time :)

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070314

[meridian]

Does anyone have one of the jersey's ?

If you do, perhaps you'd be happy to give us a small review of them?

I have sent a mail asking if they ship to UK, their site doesn't seem to offer the option


Gilly, I've had one for a couple months now, but I haven't worn it on bike yet. I love the bright yellow/black layout, but the cut I'm not absolutely crazy over. I originally ordered a medium and had to exchange for a small.

The women's cut is a bit short and the size of the chest area seems large in proportion to the length and stated size. The material is soft, thin, and breathable, which is good for the heat I get in TX though. The scrunchie rear pockets distort the back print a bit, especially if you wear your jersey loose, but they are roomy.

For reference I'm a solid medium in pretty much all cycling jersey's [5'5, 130, 36b]. I'll try and post a picture if that interests you.

[gilly]

Hi Meridian, Thanks for that, your detailing is perfect, I was going to order the medium, but I'm 5' 2" 120lb and 36B so I guess I'll order the small now then :)

I'm also ordering the male version for my DH, I was torn between the medium and large, according to the size chart, he's on the edge of the medium sizing, on the basis that the mens jerseys are on the large size too, I'll stick to medium for him.

Thankfully, I haven't ordered yet, I was trying to order, but am now awaiting Joe changing his site so I can choose UK for shipping.

A photograph would be brilliant please, it's always difficult to tell when they're not modeled on a person, Thank you :)

Gilly

[meridian]

Sorry it took me so long, but here are some pics from right after today's ride..excuse the sweatiness and crumpled jersey.

http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u305/_meridian_/3%20Feet%20Jersey/

[gilly]

Perfect ! Thank you so much for those.

No need to excuse the sweat - a sweaty cyclist is like a muddy child, the more mud there is the more fun was had :D

Thanks again
Gilly
x



Sorry it took me so long, but here are some pics from right after today's ride..excuse the sweatiness and crumpled jersey.

http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u305/_meridian_/3%20Feet%20Jersey/

[Geonz]

Great pics :)

One of these y'ars I'm going to get a "flash flag" that sticks out (and bends easily). I should prob'ly get 10 of 'em to share...http://www.nordicgroup.us/s78/images/img_0277.jpg ... but they're hard to find.

[fatbottomedgurl]

I might just take to carrying a small hammer.