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In 'Worst Bike City In America,' Law Passed To Make Biking Safer Is Rarely Enforced
Topher Hendricks has had many close calls at the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and Fountain Ave. on his 10-mile commute.
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Susanica Tam/For LAist
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In 'Worst Bike City In America,' Law Passed To Make Biking Safer Is Rarely Enforced
Radio feature exploring the impact of California's Three Feet For Safety Act.
Four years ago, California's Three Feet for Safety Act took effect.
In theory, at least, the act requires a driver passing a bicyclist to stay at least three feet away.
The law flew through the statehouse with strong support from bicyclists, cycling advocates, and politicians including former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and now-State Sen. Steven Bradford. Bradford, at the time a member of the state assembly, deemed it "a powerful tool."
But in Southern California, the police haven't found much use for it. Since it passed, LAPD officers have written just 13 citations for violating the three feet law.
In Long Beach, police issued four citations during the law's first 1,475 days.
Read more on LAist.com: In 'Worst Bike City In America,' Law Passed To Make Biking Safer Is Rarely Enforced
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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