Cyclist Rights Resource Hub
Know Your Rights.
Every State.
Cycling laws vary dramatically from state to state. Whether you’re riding gravel in Nebraska, commuting in Portland, or training on Florida’s coast — know the laws that protect you before you clip in.
Scarborough Bike Law represents injured cyclists in all 50 states — with offices in Florida and Oregon. Matt Scarborough leads every case, regardless of jurisdiction.
States with 3-Foot Passing Laws
States with 4-Foot Laws
States with No Specific Distance
States with Stop-as-Yield
AL
Alabama
Passing Law
3 Feet
Helmet
Youth Only
DUI on Bike
Yes
AK
ALASKA
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
AZ
ARIZONA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
Yes
AR
ARKANSAS
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
CA
CALIFORNIA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
Special
CO
COLORADO
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
Yes
CT
CONNECTICUT
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
DE
DELAWARE
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
Yes
DC
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
FL
FLORIDA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
Yes
GA
GEORGIA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
Yes
HI
HAWAII
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
ID
IDAHO
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
IL
ILLINOIS
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
IN
INDIANA
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
IA
IOWA
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
KS
KANSAS
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
KY
KENTUCKY
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
LA
LOUISIANNA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth Only
DUI on Bike
Yes
ME
MAINE
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
MD
MARYLAND
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
MA
MASSACHUSETTS
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
MI
MICHIGAN
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
MN
MINNESOTA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
MS
MISSISSIPPI
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
Yes
MO
MISSOURI
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
MT
MONTANA
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
NE
NEBRASKA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
NV
NEVADA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
Yes
NH
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
NJ
NEW JERSEY
Passing Law
4 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
NM
NEW MEXICO
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
Yes
NY
NEW YORK
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
NC
NORTH CAROLINA
Passing Law
2 FEET/ 4 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
Yes
ND
NORTH DAKOTA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
Yes
OH
OHIO
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
Yes
OK
OKLAHOMA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide view
DUI on Bike
No
OR
OREGON
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
Yes
PA
PENNSYLVANIA
Passing Law
4 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
RI
RHODE ISLAND
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
SC
SOUTH CAROLINA
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
SD
SOUTH DAKOTA
Passing Law
3 FEET (35MPH)
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
TN
TENNESEE
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
TX
TEXAS
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
UT
UTAH
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
VT
VERMONT
Passing Law
SAFE DISTANCE
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
VA
VIRGINIA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
WA
WASHINGTON
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
WV
WEST VIRGINIA
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
Youth only
DUI on Bike
No
WI
WISCONSIN
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
No
WY
WYOMING
Passing Law
3 FEET
Helmet
No statewide law
DUI on Bike
Yes
Universal Guide
What to Do After a Crash
Regardless of what state you’re in, these steps apply to every bicycle crash. Save this page — you may need it someday.
01
Ensure Safety & Call 911
Move out of traffic if possible. Call 911 even if injuries seem minor — you need an official police report.
02
Document Everything
Take photos of the scene, your injuries, your bike, the vehicle, license plate, and any road conditions that contributed to the crash.
03
Get Driver & Witness Information
Collect the driver’s name, insurance, license plate, and phone number. Get contact info from any witnesses.
04
Do NOT Admit Fault
Don’t apologize or say ‘I’m sorry.’ Anything you say can be used against you by the insurance company.
05
Seek Medical Attention
Go to the ER or urgent care — even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks injuries. Medical records are critical evidence.
06
Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement
The driver’s insurance company will call. Do not give a recorded statement without legal counsel.
07
Contact Scarborough Bike Law
Call us immediately. We’ll protect your rights, deal with the insurance company, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Been in a Crash?
We Ride. We Fight. We Win.
34 years of trial practice. 25 years representing cyclists. AV Preeminent Rated. Offices in Florida and Oregon. We cover the entire nation.