Legislation introduced would allow drivers to pass cyclists on left side of road

As the weather warms up, bicyclists and drivers will have to share the road, and lawmakers are talking about ways to protect all of us.

According to the proposed amendment, a motor vehicle "may be driven to the left side of the roadway to safely overtake a bicycle” under certain circumstances including if the biker is moving in the same direction as the car, if the car maintains a safe distance no less than four feet from the biker, or if the car goes completely in the other lane.

The driver may also pass only if the bicyclist is not making a left turn or signaling that he or she is going to do so.

Delivery guy Trey Lowe is on his bike a lot and said he’s had a lot close calls and even incidents with cars on the road.

“I’ve been hit a couple times, actually,” he said.

Dorian Grilley, executive director of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota said that while he doesn’t think many drivers are being ticketed for improperly passing bicyclists, he feels it will encourage them to give bikers more space.

“We wanted to make it possible for a motor vehicle to pass a bicycle by that safe distance of at least three feet,” Grilley said.

Additionally, bicyclists are reminded to bear their own responsibility.

“You just got to be aware,” said. “Never assume what a vehicle is going to do.”