Smyrna Cyclist on Three-Foot Law: "It's about time''

Gov. Nathan Deal signed a bill into law this week that requires motorists to give cyclists a three-foot berth on roadways. The law had come before the House in years past and was always voted down.

The three-foot law replaces a vague “safe distance” law that only required motorists to give cyclists safe passing distance without qualifying what that meant.

The new three-foot law basically requires motorists to merge slightly into the other lane if that lane is clear when passing a cyclist. Failure to adhere to the three-foot law is a misdemeanor punishable with fines and jail time.

For Tom Butler, co-owner of , giving cyclists those three extra feet is common sense.

“It’s about time,” he said. “I don’t understand why—I mean, I don’t want to sound bitter because I’m not—but I don’t understand why somebody would continue to vote no for something that just seems like common sense.”

Butler and about 25 other Smyrna cyclists participated in a ride to the capital March 22 to encourage the passing of the three-foot law. About 1,000 cyclists participated from throughout the Metro Atlanta area, Butler estimated.

Butler explained that most cyclists know someone who has been killed or injured by a motorist while they were cycling. Butler blames lax laws and a lack of education about sharing roadways.

“You don’t have to talk to too many people who’ve been doing cycling for a long time who don’t know somebody who’s been killed by or in a wheelchair caused by a motorist,” he said. “And the motorists don’t even get charged with anything. It’s pretty frustrating you say, ‘Well, there’s no three foot law and the they hit each other.’ Then the motorist gets cited for something ridiculous, but somebody ends up dead or in a wheelchair.”

An Austell man was struck and killed by a motorist last month on Clay Road near Austell Road, not far from Butler’s shop.

Butler hopes the three-feet law will educate motorists about what to do when passing a cyclist.

“Maybe it will make drivers aware that if they pass that close because they’re frustrated that they got held up by a cyclist, then maybe it will change some driving habits,” he said. “I guess we’ll have to see.”

Smyrna Bicycles offers a weekly ride through Smyrna, Vinings and Mableton. The distance ranges between 23 and 25 miles. Interested cyclists can meet behind Smyrna Bicycles at 6:15 p.m. on Mondays.