On 24 August 2010 13:18, Ian Perry <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi,

I have checked the Swiss laws, and not found any rules for passing distance.

However, I did find this from the Swiss Federal Roads Authority (FEDRO) - written by a God, to be implemented by 2012:

"Increasing the percentage of cyclists wearing helmets (Measure 407)
The wearing of a helmet when cycling will be strongly promoted
through incentives and awareness-raising. If persuasion fails to induce

a majority of cyclists to wear a helmet, compulsory measures will be
introduced."

"Cyclist injures herself

A schoolgirl on a bicycle was startled on a bend by an oncoming car that
was being driven correctly. She braked so hard that she fell off her bike and
suffered serious injury. She was not wearing a helmet at the time.

In 2003, cyclists were involved in:
– 48 fatal accidents
– 902 accidents with serious injuries
Via sicura measures intended to prevent cycling
accidents:
➔ increasing the percentage of cyclists wearing

helmets
➔ traffic separation and coexistence solution
➔ traffic calming
➔ instruction in mobility and safety at all levels
of education"

and:
"Eliminating potential danger spots (Measure 302)
Potential danger spots on cantonal and communal roads will gradually
be eliminated."

and:
"Eliminating accident black spots (Measure 303)
Accident black spots on cantonal and communal roads will gradually
be eliminated."

The Swiss Federal Roads Authority (FEDRO) clearly, in their "top-down" wisdom, believe that through rules and engineering, they can cure the symptoms of our problems.

Ian

reference: http://www.astra.admin.ch/themen/verkehrssicherheit/00236/index.html?lang=en

On Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 11:22 AM, john meudell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Peter

There's quite a lot of experience with this safety measure. Quite a number
of US states have passed their own laws requiring three foot passing
distance, I believe about 10 - 12 so far, many for some years. A number are
currently considering introducing these laws. You'll find a run down of the
current situation in the article below.

http://road.cc/content/news/6228-new-law-means-colorado-cyclists-get-more-ro
om

Most US states have a cycling officer or highways engineer with
responsibility for cycling. In my experience they are very helpful and
respond quickly to overseas enquiries so, as a starting point, I'd get get
contact with them.

I'd also heard that the Swiss have the same law, but never been able to get
confirmation of that.

Cheers

John Meudell
CTC UK

-----Original Message-----
From: Cycling and Society Research Group discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Cox
Sent: 23 August 2010 10:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Fwd: 1.5 m passing distance laws

Further to recent discussion, would anyone like to help advise on this one?

Peter

>>> "Andrew Wheeldon" <[log in to unmask]> 21/08/2010 18:53 >>>
Dear all

The South African/ Western Cape Province MEC for Transport, Mr Robin
Carlisle, called Louis today and was asking about the international laws and
precedents on the 1.5 m or 3 feet law to protect cyclists. He is, we feel,
proposing to set guidelines for the enforcement of this law for motorists
here, or at least to investigate measures towards protecting the passing
distance by cars away from cyclists.

Louis and I would like to gather as much information detailing the
international experience and where these laws have successfully been
implemented, or are being tested. If you have any information that we may be
able to use, and to package together and submit to Mr Carlisle in the coming
week, I would be most grateful. Perhaps this may simply be in the form of
websites we could visit; all information is welcome. We will keep you
informed of the process and the result of this welcome initiative of the
provincial government.

Thank you, all the best

Andrew

Andrew M Wheeldon

MSc Sports Management (Leicester, UK)

BEN Director; www.benbikes.org.za

I-CE Partner; www.cycling.nl

email: [log in to unmask]

+27 825989178 (cell/mob); +27 217884174 (w)

30 Eastlake Drive, Marina da Gama, Cape 7945

skype: andrew.murray.wheeldon