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Pennsylvania driving lesson · Occupant Safety and Other Laws

The bicycle safe passing law

A 3-minute lesson from the Pennsylvania course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Occupant Safety and Other Laws
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
48, 96

Bicyclists are vehicle operators with the same duty to obey traffic laws, but a car can kill them at low speed. Pennsylvania's Safe Passing law sets a minimum passing distance and protects a cyclist's right to use the lane.

4 feet

Minimum space between your vehicle and a bicycle when passing

Handbook p. 96 ↗
Safe passing distance for cyclists
At least 4 feet when passing a bicyclist

Know the rule

Before passing, decide whether you can safely maneuver around the bicyclist and check for oncoming traffic. If necessary and safe, you may cross the center double yellow line to keep 4 feet of clearance.

Handbook p. 96 ↗

Know the rule

Unless turning left, bicyclists slower than traffic must keep to the right and ride in the same direction as traffic. This is waived on roads with a single lane in each direction.

Handbook p. 96 ↗

Know the rule

With only one travel lane, bicyclists may use any part of the lane to avoid hazards, including keeping a safe distance from stopped and parked cars.

Handbook p. 96 ↗

Know the rule

You may not turn into the path of a bicyclist riding straight ahead on the roadway or shoulder.

Handbook p. 96 ↗

Know the rule

You may not force a bicyclist off the road; doing so can bring criminal charges.

Handbook p. 96 ↗

Know the rule

Bicyclists may ride below the posted minimum speed and may not be cited for impeding traffic. They may ride on the shoulder or berm but aren't required to.

Handbook p. 96 ↗

Put it into practice

A cyclist rides ahead of you on a narrow two-lane road with a double yellow centerline. Slow behind them, let any oncoming car pass, then, if it's safe, cross the double yellow line to pass with at least 4 feet of space.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

How much space must you allow between your vehicle and a bicyclist when passing?
  1. At least 1 foot
  2. At least 2 feet
  3. At least 8 feet
  4. At least 4 feet

Answer: At least 4 feet

PA's safe passing law requires at least 4 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.

Handbook p. 96 ↗
If necessary to maintain 4 feet of clearance from a bicyclist, may you cross a double yellow centerline?
  1. Yes, if it can be done safely
  2. No, this is never allowed
  3. Only on rural roads
  4. Only when passing a group of cyclists

Answer: Yes, if it can be done safely

Drivers may cross a double yellow line if needed and safe to maintain the required clearance.

Handbook p. 96 ↗
Can a bicyclist be cited for impeding traffic by riding below the posted minimum speed?
  1. Yes, just like a slow-moving car
  2. Only on state highways
  3. Only during rush hour
  4. No, they can't be cited for it

Answer: No, they can't be cited for it

Bicyclists are exempt from being cited for impeding traffic due to riding below the minimum speed.

Handbook p. 96 ↗
On a road with a single travel lane in each direction, are slower bicyclists required to keep right?
  1. No, it's waived on single-lane roads
  2. Yes, always without exception
  3. Only if there is a bike lane present
  4. Only during daylight hours

Answer: No, it's waived on single-lane roads

The keep-right rule for slower bicyclists is waived on roads with just one lane each direction.

Handbook p. 96 ↗
Before passing a bicyclist, what must a driver first determine?
  1. Whether you can safely maneuver around them
  2. Whether the bicyclist is exceeding the speed limit
  3. Whether the bicyclist has a helmet
  4. Whether the cyclist has waved you past

Answer: Whether you can safely maneuver around them

Drivers must first judge whether a safe maneuver around the cyclist is possible.

Handbook p. 96 ↗
Under PA law, can a driver be criminally charged for forcing a bicyclist off the road?
  1. No, it is only a civil matter
  2. No, unless the cyclist is injured
  3. Yes, it can be criminal
  4. Only if it happens on a highway

Answer: Yes, it can be criminal

Forcing a cyclist off the road can result in criminal charges against the driver.

Handbook p. 96 ↗
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