Kansas 3 Foot Law
KVBC registered a Board member as a lobbyist during the 2011 legislative session, and worked behind-the-scenes to promote a 3-Foot law for all Kansas cyclists. These efforts were successful when Governor Sam Brownback signed the bill into law. It took effect on July 1, 2011. Present at the ceremonial signing (pictured) were KVBC Board members and the Tim Roberts family, who also lobbied for the law after losing Tim in a cycle-vehicle accident.
A great debt is owed to all the Kansas cyclists who contacted their legislators and let their voices be heard. Special thanks goes to the Kansas legislators who actively supported the law: Sen. Vicki Schmidt (Topeka), Rep. Vern Swanson (Clay Center), and Sen. Dwayne Umbarger (Thayer).
Wording of Kansas 3 Foot Law (K.S.A. 8-1516)
Sec. 4. K.S.A. 8-1516 is hereby amended to read as follows:
The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles and bicycles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated:
(a) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
(b) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
(c) (1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a distance of not less than three feet and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle.
(2) The driver of a vehicle may pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction in a no-passing zone with the duty to execute the pass only when it is safe to do so.
Kansas Dead Red
KVBC assisted ABATE Kansas, a motorcycle advocacy group, in lobbying for a dead red provision. This law took effect July 1, 2011. It allows both bicycles and motorcycles to proceed through a red stoplight if the signal is not triggered.
Wording of Kansas Dead Red Law (K.S.A. 8-1516)
Sec. 3. K.S.A. 8-1508 is hereby amended to read as follows:
(4) The driver of a motorcycle or a person riding a bicycle facing any steady red signal, which fails to change to a green light within a reasonable period of time because of a signal malfunction or because the signal has failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle or bicycle because of its size or weight, shall have the right to proceed subject to the rules stated herein. After stopping, the driver or rider shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in or near the intersection or approaching on a roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver or rider is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. Such motorcycle or bicycle traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians law- fully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
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