[Adopted 6-8-2021 by L.L. No. 4-2021]
This article shall be known as "Carrie Ray's Three-Foot
Passing Law to Protect Bicyclists."
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that it is the
duty of Monroe County to protect the health, safety, and welfare of
its residents. This Legislature also finds and determines that many
Monroe County residents ride bicycles for exercise, recreation, and
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 Monroe County. Therefore,
the purpose of this article is to establish regulations to protect
the health and safety of bicyclists in Monroe County.
The operator of a vehicle that 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 feet until safely
clear thereof.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or
part of this article or the application thereof to any person, individual,
corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance shall be adjudged
by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional,
such order or judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the
remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause,
sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part of this article,
or in its application to the person, individual, corporation, firm,
partnership, entity, or circumstance directly involved in the controversy
in which such order or judgment shall be rendered.
This article shall take effect in accordance with the provisions
of the Municipal Home Rule Law and the Monroe County Charter.