Drivers must give cyclists three feet

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin City Council voted Thursday to make it easier for bicyclists and pedestrians to get around town.

Drivers will now have to give cyclists, and other "vulnerable road users" like ambulances, pedestrians and those in wheelchairs a 3-foot buffer zone on the road.

Commercial drivers must give even more room, a 6-foot buffer zone.

The ordinance, originally sponsored by Council Member Chris Riley, aims to protect Austin's growing bicycle-user population. The city just approved a Bike Master Plan , which paves the way for more bike lanes on Austin roads.

This ordinance, however, does not fall into the Master Plan.

Drivers would also not be allowed to cut off bicyclists or pedestrians at right-hand turns. This means the driver "may not overtake a vulnerable road user traveling in the same direction and subsequently make a right-hand turn in front of the vulnerable road user unless the driver is safely clear of the vulnerable road user, taking into account the speed at which the vulnerable road user is traveling and the braking requirements of the motor vehicle making the right-hand turn."

The vote passed unanimously Thursday. The new law takes effect Nov. 2.