SB4 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald H. AllenSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Motor vehicles, overtaking and passing bicycles, must maintain safe distance of at least three feet from bicycle, definition of safe distance, Sec. 32-5A-82 am'd.
Summary: Defines a safe passing distance for overtaking bicycles as at least three feet in specific roadway conditions.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends Section 32-5A-82 to formally define a 'safe distance' when a vehicle overtakes a bicycle. It requires drivers to give at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist on roads with a marked bicycle lane, or on roads without a marked bicycle lane if the speed limit is 45 mph or less and there is no no-passing marking. The three-foot rule applies only when the cyclist is riding within two feet of the right shoulder. The changes take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval, and the act was signed in 2015.

Who It Affects
Drivers of motor vehicles, who must maintain at least a three-foot safe distance when overtaking bicycles under the defined conditions.
Bicyclists, who gain a clarified standard for how much space vehicles must give when being passed, particularly when riding near the right shoulder.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 32-5A-82 to define 'safe distance' for overtaking and passing a bicycle as not less than three feet in specific circumstances.
Safe distance applies on roads with a marked bicycle lane, and on roads without a marked lane if the speed limit is 45 mph or less and there is no double yellow line indicating a no-passing zone.
Subdivision clarifies that the three-foot rule only applies if the cyclist is riding within two feet of the right shoulder.
Effective date: first day of the third month after passage and governor approval; status indicates the bill was signed on 2015-06-04.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles