1     
BICYCLE ROADWAY REQUIREMENTS

2     
2023 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Nate Blouin

5     
House Sponsor: ____________

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill amends provisions related to a motor vehicle passing a bicycle.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     requires a person operating a motor vehicle to move the vehicle to the lane to the
13     left of the lane the vehicle is traveling in when passing a bicycle under certain
14     circumstances.
15     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
16          None
17     Other Special Clauses:
18          None
19     Utah Code Sections Affected:
20     AMENDS:
21          41-6a-701, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 293
22     

23     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24          Section 1. Section 41-6a-701 is amended to read:
25          41-6a-701. Duty to operate vehicle on right side of roadway -- Exceptions.
26          (1) On all roadways of sufficient width, a person operating a vehicle shall operate the
27     vehicle on the right half of the roadway, except:
28          (a) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction
29     under the rules governing that movement;
30          (b) when an obstruction requires operating the vehicle to the left of the center of the
31     roadway subject to the provisions of Subsection (2);
32          (c) when overtaking and passing a bicycle or moped proceeding in the same direction
33     at a speed less than the reasonable speed of traffic that is present requires operating the vehicle
34     to the left of the center of the roadway subject to the provisions of Subsection (2);
35          (d) on a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the applicable rules;
36     or
37          (e) on a roadway designed and signposted for one-way traffic.
38          (2) (a) A person operating a vehicle as described under Subsection (1) shall yield the
39     right-of-way to a vehicle:
40          (i) traveling in the proper direction on a roadway; and
41          (ii) that is within a distance constituting an immediate hazard.
42          (b) When overtaking and passing a bicycle or moped under Subsection (1)(c), a person
43     operating a vehicle [shall]:
44          (i) may not pass a bicycle or moped proceeding in the same direction if the pass cannot
45     be made safely, including under any of the following conditions:
46          [(i)] (A) when approaching or upon the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway
47     where the operator's view is in any way obstructed;
48          [(ii)] (B) when approaching within 100 feet of, or traversing, any intersection or
49     railroad grade crossing unless otherwise indicated by an official traffic control device;
50          [(iii)] (C) when the view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of any bridge,
51     viaduct, or tunnel; or
52          [(iv)] (D) when the pass cannot be made in accordance with Section 41-6a-706.5[.];
53     and
54          (ii) shall move the vehicle to the lane to the left of the lane the vehicle is traveling in,
55     if:
56          (A) there is at least one lane to the left of the vehicle that is proceeding in the same
57     direction; and
58          (B) the movement can be made in accordance with Section 41-6a-804.1.
59          (3) A person operating a vehicle on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic
60     shall operate the vehicle in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as
61     practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when:
62          (a) overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
63          (b) preparing to turn left; or
64          (c) taking a different highway or an exit on the left.