Did you know that 40 states plus the District of Columbia require that motorists give cyclists at least 3' of room when passing? Unfortunately, New York is one of the 10 remaining states that do not. New York requires only that motorists provide a "safe distance" when passing a cyclist. This vague and subjective language does not help new drivers learn specifically what they need to do to protect vulnerable road users.
NYBC is fighting to get this bill passed at the state level, but meanwhile, five of New York's Counties have adoped this national best practice that promotes safer streets for everyone, and more may be on the way! These laws clarify New York’s “safe distance” requirement by establishing a clear, enforceable three-foot minimum.
Onondaga County passed the “Onondaga CYCLE (Cyclist Yielding and Clearance Lane for Everyone) Safety Act" on June 3, 2026, and is currently waiting for the County Executive's signature. The law defines and protects "Vulnerable Road Users" including pedestrians, people waiting for transit, horseback riders, cyclists, and any "individual who is not in or on a motor vehicle". The full text of the law is available at https://onondaga.gov/legislature/wp-content/uploads/sites/201/2026/05/5.22.-26-LL-Packet.pdf
Cortland County adopted Local Law "A" of 2026 on March 26, 2026. In Cortland county there is a broad definition of "vulnerable road users" including pedestrians and people using wheel chairs and similar devices, people waiting for transit, horseback riders, workers, emergency service personnel, cyclists and users of other non-motorized modes of transportation, and any individual who is not in or on a motor vehicle, streetcar or other motor vehicle running only upon rails, motorized snow vehicle, traction engine, farm tractor, self-propelled instrument of husbandry, or roadbuilding machine".
Albany County adopted Local Law T on Februrary 8, 2026. In Albany, "vulnerable road user" is broadly defined as "any pedestrian; person operating a wheelchair or other personal mobility device regardless of motorization; person operating a bicycle or other non-motorized mode of transportation such as roller skates, rollerblades, roller skis, skateboard, longboard, or unicycle; operator of roadway construction, repair, or maintenance equipment; utility worker; construction worker; roadside assistance worker; operator of agricultural equipment; person riding, driving, or herding an animal; law enforcement officer; firefighter; emergency medical technician; or first responder."
Ulster County adopted Local Law No. 3 of 2025 unanimously in October 2025, and protects not just people on bikes, but all vulnerable road users. In Ulster County, “Vulnerable road users” include pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, construction and emergency services workers, and individuals who may lack access to safe transportation due to racial or economic disparities. Read more in the Daily Freeman.
Suffolk County was the first in the state in April 2021, when it passed §818-88 Minimum distance for passing bicyclists setting a standard for safe passing in New York. The bill was championed by NYBC Board Members Martin Buchman and Dan Flanzig, and by then-County Legislator Kara Hahn whose work was inspired in part when her husband was hit by a car while on his bicycle.
Monroe County enacted “Carrie Ray’s 3-Foot Passing Law,” in 2021 as Chapter 213 Aticle I Three-Foot Safe Passing. Carrie's Law honors the memory of teacher and cyclist Carrie Ray, who was killed while riding in Brockport.
If you would like your county to consider passing Defined Safe Passing, the first step is to find a County Legislator to champion the idea and share information with them about why defined safe passing is important. You may find these documents helpful. While they were written for a state level audience, they can be helpful at the county level as well. These documents were created by the NYS Safe Streets Coalition, which NYBC co-chairs along with Families for Safe Streets.
NYS Safe Streets Coalition - Defined Safe Passing Briefing Document
NYS Safe Streets Coalition - Defined Safe Passing Coalition Letter
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