Highway 89 and the 3 Foot Law

     Today in California,  a new law went into effect: cal. Veh. Code 21760- the Bicycle Safety Clearance Law which requires that vehicle drives pass bicyclists by at least 3' to ensure safety of cyclist.  Fines start at $150 and can reach $220.
    DRIVERS ON HIGHWAY :  Be alert, especially around Emerald Bay which lacks a bike path or lane.  Highway 89 is a cyclist's favorite ride because of the scenery and relatively flat route.  Unfortunately, much of the speed limit is at 55mph.  A provision of the law- read this- a driver cannot cross a double yellow line to pass a cyclist.  The CHP will have fun enforcing this one.   Cameras will be a help or hindrance depending on who has the camera.
     This is for safety, just like a lot of other useless provisions of the CVC.
    Save yourself some grief:  be careful when driving around cyclists.   Perhaps the state could provide a law that would require cyclists to USE A BIKE LANE if provided w/i 100' of the highway.  Wouldn't that be interesting?   Since it is really only a summertime phenomena, most locals will take it in stride.  We shall see.