We recently posted a simple question on Facebook: “Do drivers give enough space when passing cyclists?”
What followed was fascinating. Within days, around 400 cyclists and drivers shared their experiences, ranging from positive encounters to hair-raising close calls. The responses paint a complex picture of life on our shared roads.
Some answers were brief (“Nope!”), while others shared detailed stories of their daily cycling adventures.
Let’s dig into it all a little more..
The Good News First
Surprisingly, most drivers actually do give cyclists enough space. Various cyclists report that around 80-85% of drivers pass safely and considerately. That’s pretty encouraging, right?
Lorry drivers, in particular, often receive praise for their professional courtesy:
One cyclist mentioned, “Lorry drivers are very considerate” – which might seem counterintuitive given their vehicle size, but makes sense given their professional training.
When Things Go Wrong
Unfortunately, it’s not all smooth riding. Near misses are disturbingly common, with some cyclists reporting close calls on almost every ride.
One particularly sobering quote from a cyclist states: “near misses occur almost every single ride.”
The most concerning aspect? Some drivers seem to treat it like a game. As one cyclist noted, they “make a game out of seeing how close they can come.” That’s about as funny as a flat tire in the rain.
“make a game out of seeing how close they can come.”
The Numbers Game
Here’s a rough breakdown of what cyclists experience:
- About 80% of drivers give adequate space
- 10% don’t give enough room but aren’t necessarily hostile
- The remaining 10% (as one cyclist put it) “are out to kill you”
What Is Required By Law For Each Country?
Different regions have different requirements:
| Country/Region | Safe Passing Distance | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 feet (35 states + D.C.) | Most common standard; 35 states and Washington, D.C. require at least 3 feet when passing cyclists (e.g., California, Colorado, Texas). In California, drivers must change lanes if possible or provide 3 feet (OmniBike Bill, 2023). |
| United States | 4 feet (PA, NJ, NC) | Pennsylvania and New Jersey mandate at least 4 feet; North Carolina requires 4 feet and allows passing in no-passing zones if safe with 4 feet clearance. |
| United States | 6 feet (SD, >35 mph) | South Dakota requires 3 feet on roads with speed limits ≤35 mph and 6 feet on roads >35 mph. |
| United States | Safe distance (unspecified) (8 states) | Eight states (e.g., Alaska, Iowa, Missouri) require a “safe distance” without specifying a measurement, leaving it to driver discretion and road conditions. |
| United States | Lane change (DE, KY, NV, OK, WA) | These states require drivers to change lanes entirely if multiple lanes are available, or provide 3 feet if not. |
| United Kingdom | 1.5 meters (guideline) | The Highway Code recommends a minimum of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) when overtaking cyclists, but this is a guideline, not a statutory law, making enforcement challenging. Drivers are advised to give “plenty of room” and not overtake if unsafe. Fines for careless driving can be up to £5,000 in severe cases. |
| European Union | 1.5 meters (common) | Many EU countries (e.g., France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal) mandate 1.5 meters. Germany requires 1.5 meters in towns and 2 meters outside. Belgium specifies 1 meter in towns and 1.5 meters outside. Ireland’s proposed (but rejected) law suggested 1 meter (<50 km/h) and 1.5 meters (>50 km/h). Some countries lack specific laws, relying on general “safe distance” rules. Enforcement varies, with fines (e.g., €30–80 in Germany, up to €5,850 in the UK for severe cases). The EU is considering adding “dangerous overtaking” to cross-border offense directives. |
| Australia | 1 meter (≤60 km/h); 1.5 meters (>60 km/h) | All states have minimum passing distance laws. Victoria, Queensland, and others require 1 meter in speed zones up to 60 km/h (37 mph) and 1.5 meters in higher speed zones. Queensland’s law, trialed in 2014 and made permanent, allows prosecutions with evidence like helmet-cam footage. Fines can reach AU$4,400 in Queensland. The “Meter Matters” campaign promotes awareness. |
The Usual Suspects (Guilty Vehicles)
Our Facebook responses highlighted some clear patterns about which situations tend to be most problematic. Here’s what cyclists are experiencing:
SUVs and Large Vehicles
“SUVs don’t give enough space,” one cyclist noted bluntly.
Another mentioned, “big trucks with extended mirrors” as particular concerns.
“SUVs don’t give enough space,”
Though interestingly, one respondent pointed out that “Lorry drivers are very considerate” – suggesting professional drivers might be more aware.
Van Drivers
“Vans are worst, especially boy racers,”
“Vans are worst, especially boy racers,” one cyclist shared. Another specifically called out “flat bed transits” as frequent offenders.
Distracted Drivers
“They’re too involved in their damn cell phone,” one frustrated cyclist reported. Another added they’re often “in too much of a rush to get to the next traffic jam.”
Narrow Streets
As one UK cyclist put it:
“With the narrow streets where I live, it’s difficult.”
Another noted that in rural areas like Wiltshire, it’s “impossible” for drivers to give desired space.
Time of Day
Rush hour seems particularly challenging, with one cyclist noting that some drivers become especially impatient when “too much of a rush to get to the next traffic jam.”
The good news? These problems aren’t universal. As one cyclist shared, “In the last 2 weeks I’ve done just over 300 miles on my bike, and can honestly say I’ve never felt in danger at any time.” It suggests that with awareness and consideration, these issues can be overcome.
Making It Better
While we can’t control other road users, there are some interesting observations about what helps:
- Having a visible camera seems to encourage better passing behavior
- Drivers who cycle themselves typically give more space
- Some regions, like Spain and Norway, are noted for consistently better driver behavior
The Reality Check
Here’s the thing: while most drivers do give enough space, it only takes one close pass to ruin your day (or worse). As one cyclist pointedly noted,
“around 1% couldn’t care less if they killed you, as they know they will suffer virtually no consequence.”
Final Thoughts
While the majority of drivers do give cyclists enough space, there’s clearly room for improvement. Whether you’re on two wheels or four, remember that we’re all just trying to get somewhere safely. And if you’re driving, please give cyclists more space than you think they need – it’s better to be overly cautious than to risk someone’s life.
After all, that cyclist you’re passing might be rushing home to read another brilliant article on BikePush (sorry, couldn’t resist that one).
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The photo you included of your cyclist riding approx 300 – 400mm (or 12 – 16 inches) from the broken white line typifies the attitude of cyclists. I need 1.5m, but I’m going to ride almost on the line separating lanes. I encountered exactly this last week. What do you expect drivers to do? Stop being so arrogant and selfish and try riding along the multitude of quiet back streets instead of congested main and arterial roads.