COLUMBUS, Ohio - A new state law takes effect on Tuesday that aims to protect cyclists from the motoring public.
The law requires motorists to have a three-foot space between their vehicle and a cyclist when they are passing a bike rider on the road. Steve Magas of the Ohio Bicycle Federation says he is glad cyclists are getting some legal protection against the problem of overly aggressive drivers.
"Most people are fine. They go by and its not a big deal. There are certain aggressive motorists and if they have to wait six seconds to pass you, then now they're mad, they're gonna honk the horn, they're gonna zip by, they're gonna buzz you or cut you off or whatever," Magas says.
Magas is an attorney who was one of the lawyers representing the victims' families in a fatal crash that killed two cyclists in Brecksville back in 2015. In that case, the motorist was acquitted after pleading not guilty.
The state legislature approved the law after three years of lobbying by cycling enthusiasts.
In 2015, 24 Ohioans died in bicycle crashes. Ohio becomes the 40th state to enact a bicycle safe passing law.