NEW PASSING A BIKE LAW

A new law forcing New Jersey drivers to change lanes when passing bicyclists, motorized vehicles, and pedestrians — if safe to do so — has gone into effect.

  The Safe Passing Law which was passed last year and took effect in March states that a driver passing a pedestrian, bicycle, skateboard, or motorized vehicle must, "when possible under existing safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the pedestrian or personal conveyance."

  If  the lane change isn't safe at that time — for instance, on a one or two-lane road — the driver must "leave a reasonable and safe distance of not less than 4 feet while approaching the pedestrian or personal conveyance and maintain a distance of at least 4 feet until the motor vehicle has safely passed the conveyance."
  And if the 4-foot space is also not safe, the driver must slow to 25 miles per hour at most, and can only pass the pedestrian or vehicle if it doesn't endanger anyone's safety in the roadway.
  The fine for failing to follow the law is $100 and no points off someone's license. However, if the offense results in bodily injury, the person will be fined $500 and assessed two points.

SEE https://njbwc.org/ for this and other Bike / Pedestrian tips.