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The Assembly today passed a bill that would require drivers to keep four feet from cyclists

(Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger)

TRENTON — Drivers would have to give cyclists and pedestrians at least four feet of space on the road under a bill that passed the state Assembly today.

The bill (A1577/1600) passed 49-21 with 6 abstentions.

Some Assembly members said four feet is too much on some roads.

Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-Hunterdon) said his district is full of narrow, winding country roads with a lot of blind spots. Peterson said a better solution would be to apply to cyclists the state’s current law on overtaking those riding horses.

“Horses can get spooked by traffic. It says you proceed with caution and at 25 miles per hour, no matter what the speed limit is on the road itself,” Peterson said. “I think that’s a better way to handle these situations than to try to determine how you’re going to do a four-foot berth between you and a bicycle.”

Drivers who violate the bill would face fines of between $100 and $500.

The Assembly also passed a bill (A2090) that would establish an additional fine of up to $500 for a driver who commits a motor vehicle violation that results in collision with a cyclist. It passed 74-3.

Both bills would need to pass the Senate and win the approval of Gov. Chris Christie to become law.

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