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Effects of bicycle passing distance law on drivers’ behavior

Author

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  • Feizi, Ahmad
  • Mastali, Majid
  • Van Houten, Ron
  • Kwigizile, Valerian
  • Oh, Jun-Seok

Abstract

This paper identifies the effect of passing distance laws on drivers’ perceptions and behaviors when passing bicycles. Using an instrumented bicycle, the study measured bicycle passing in a 25-h naturalistic field experiment using video recording and an ultrasonic distance-measuring device. In order to evaluate the effect of passing distance laws, the study examined jurisdictions with a three-foot passing law, a five-foot passing law, and no passing law. The experiment required a bicyclist to ride the instrumented bicycle in two-lane and three-lane roads to capture the distance between the bicycle and the overtaking motor vehicle. An Ordered Probit model was adopted to describe the relationship between a discrete dependent variable (i.e., passing distance) and independent variables. The results demonstrated that drivers’ overtaking distances were significantly greater in locations with the five-foot passing law than in other areas. The study also found that roads with paved shoulders, wider travel lanes, and a greater number of lanes contributed to greater passing distances. In contrast, we found that the passing distance was shorter on roads with shared lane markings (i.e., sharrows) or a higher share of heat vehicles. Moreover, a survey was conducted in locations with different passing laws and ordinances to determine drivers’ awareness and the effect of such policies on drivers’ behavior. The study illustrates that almost 70% of drivers in areas with a passing law were unaware of any existing laws requiring drivers to maintain a distance from bicyclists. These results can be useful to transportation engineers, policymakers, and legislators who intend to provide efficient designs for road infrastructure to better accommodate bicycles.

Suggested Citation

  • Feizi, Ahmad & Mastali, Majid & Van Houten, Ron & Kwigizile, Valerian & Oh, Jun-Seok, 2021. "Effects of bicycle passing distance law on drivers’ behavior," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 1-16.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:145:y:2021:i:c:p:1-16
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2020.12.017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joo, Shinhye & Oh, Cheol, 2013. "A novel method to monitor bicycling environments," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1-13.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ekmekci, Mustafa & Dadashzadeh, Nima & Woods, Lee, 2024. "Assessing the impact of low-speed limit zones' policy implications on cyclist safety: Evidence from the UK," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 29-39.

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