Evaluating High Visibility Enforcement of Bicycle Passing Laws (NHTSA Study, released 2022)

The NHTSA Bike HVE report and Traffic Tech were published relating to the two city passing distance intervention study using the C3FT device.

Available in the NTL/ROSAP/Behavioral Safety Research Collection:

Evaluating High Visibility Enforcement of Bicycle Passing Laws – DOT HS 813 248

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/60876/dot_60876_DS1.pdf

Evaluating High Visibility Enforcement of Bicycle Passing Laws, Traffic Tech, Technology Transfer Series – DOT HS 813 249

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/60877/dot_60877_DS1.pdf

They are also available via the NHTSA.gov website:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/behavioral-research

https://www.nhtsa.gov/traffic-tech

Grand Rapids car-bicycle crashes at 10-year low (November 19th, 2018)

A record 83 percent of drivers complied with the rule, an ordinance passed in 2015. The data was collected using radar devices attached to bicycles, which volunteer cyclists tested over six months.

The ultrasonic device calculates the distance between a vehicle and bike during a passing situation, said Mark Schlutt, a Grand Rapids cyclist who rode for the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration research team.

Read more here:

https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/grand-rapids-central/grand-rapids-car-bicycle-crashes-at-10-year-low/69-616028020

Knoxville police promote bike safety (September 12th, 2018)

“The Knoxville Police Department’s Minimum 3 in Tennessee is going to enforce a law that has been the law for over a decade,” said bike law attorney Amy Johnson. 

Since 2012, the City of Knoxville has more than tripled its bicycle lanes covering nearly 17 miles, and now the “Minimum 3 in Tennessee’” campaign will be enforcing it more than ever with ultrasonic devices known as C3FT. 

Read more here:

https://www.wate.com/news/local-news/knoxville-police-promote-bike-safety/1462324920/

Grand Rapids Police using radars to enforce bike safety laws (July 10th, 2018)

The Grand Rapids Police Department received some new gadgets on Tuesday that officials say will help them enforce the five-foot distance required by drivers when passing a cyclist.

The ultrasonic radar attaches to an officer’s bicycle and captures the distance between the handlebars and passing vehicles. If a car is within five feet of the bike, the device blinks red and records the incident.

Read more here:

https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/grand-rapids-central/grand-rapids-police-using-radars-to-enforce-bike-safety-laws/69-572531293

Las Vegas Review Journal (November 23rd, 2017)

Push to enforce 3-feet rule personal for some bicyclists

“Three feet. That’s all. It’s not a lot to ask when lives are on the line, bike-riding enthusiasts say.

As the weather cools, expect more bicyclists on the road. Drivers are asked to give them wide berth and avoid coming within 3 feet of them.

Keely Brooks knows the consequences all too well. She’s 41 and has been the president of the Southern Nevada Bicycle Coalition for four years. She and her husband, Bob, are avid racing bicyclists, logging many miles weekly.

…”

 

Read the full article here: https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/summerlin/push-to-enforce-3-feet-rule-personal-for-some-bicyclists/

GHSA 2017 “A Right to the Road: Understanding & Addressing Bicyclist Safety”

Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has released their “A Right to the Road: Understanding & Addressing Bicyclist Safety” report which was funded by State Farm. It analyzes national data to understand fatal bicyclist-motor vehicle crash characteristics, offering 30 actions steps to help State Highway Safety Offices and local communities assess and improve their current bicyclist safety programs.

The report specifically covers safe passing and the C3FT on pages 38 and 39. Officer Simmons of the Chattanooga Police Department who heads up their Chattanooga Safe Bicycling Initiative is quoted as saying “It [C3FT] has worked flawlessly”!

The report page is available here: http://www.ghsa.org/resources/bicyclist-safety2017

The report document (PDF) is here: http://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2017-08/2017BicyclistSafetyReport-FINAL.pdf

After the report was released a webinar was conducted covering the data presented in the report.

The webinar recording is here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5969205031339182595

The associated webinar slides is here: http://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2017-08/082917bicyclists_FINAL.pdf

KXAN (May 19th, 2017)

Austin offers incentives to get people to Bike to Work today

“…

Last year, Austin police launched a new initiative called “Safe Passing.” The operation uses two bicycles that are outfitted with a tool that measures the distance between a vehicle and a bicyclist. The bikes also have a mounted readout display that shows the measured distance so officers who are conducting the sting can immediately determine if a violation is occurring.

In Austin, drivers who are passing a cyclist must leave at least 3 feet between their vehicles and the cyclist. For large/commercial vehicles, 6 feet is the legal minimum.

 

Read the full article here: http://kxan.com/2017/05/19/austin-offers-incentives-to-get-people-to-bike-to-work-today/

Houston Press (May 17th, 2017)

Houston Police Set Up Stings To Catch Drivers Who Endanger Cyclists

“In March, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo announced he’d start going after drivers who pass bikes without the minimum three feet of space, using plainclothes bike cops equipped with a high-tech “C3FT” device. It’s part of a push by a number of local politicians, including Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, to make Houston safer for cyclists.

Although Houston’s “safe-passing” ordinance has been in effect since 2013, Houston police never had a good way to measure the space between a passing car and bicycle. With these new gadgets, groups like BikeHouston hope that will change.

…”

 

Read the full article here: http://www.houstonpress.com/news/houston-police-enforce-bike-passing-ordinance-9426696

Cycling Weekly (May 9th, 2017)

Texas police department implements distance measuring radar device to catch close passers

The device will make sure drivers are keeping at least three feet away when passing cyclists

“The Houston, Texas Police Department has launched a new enforcement campaign using a C3FT device on their police bicycles to help protect local cyclists.

Developed and engineered by the Austin, Texas based Codaxus LLC, the new device will allow cycling officers the ability to make sure vehicles are keeping the minimum three-feet distance when passing a cyclist.

>>> Every police force should have one of these cycling ‘close pass’ mats to educate drivers

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announced the use of the device as part of the city’s campaign to increase protection of cyclists on the road.

…”

 

Read the full article here: http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/texas-police-department-implements-distance-measuring-radar-device-catch-close-passers-329673