Georgia Bikes works with partners to advance legislation that makes our state safer for people who ride bikes. This page will be updated as needed bills move through the legislative process.

HB 353: Revised Version of Safe Passing Law

Updated March 1, 2021

We’ve been working with Bike Law Georgia to improve the safe passing law in GA and revised version of the law that was just approved by the Georgia House of Representatives. Many thanks to Representatives Todd Jones and Angelika Kausche for leading this effort as well as all the bill sponsors, which include Chuck Martin, Teri Anulewicz, Scott Holcomb, and Marcus Wiedower.
 
The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee and we will put out an alert when we need to gather Senate votes to support the bill’s passage. We’re hoping that the revised version of O.C.G.A. 40-6-56 will (a) provide better protection for people who ride bikes and (b) be easier for law enforcement officers as well as the general public to understand. HB 353 Motor vehicles; clarifys what constitutes an obstruction for purposes of exceptions to when a vehicle is to drive on the right side of roadway. Summary:
 
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to driving on right side of roadway, overtaking and passing, and following too closely, so as to clarify what constitutes an obstruction for purposes of exceptions to when a vehicle is to drive on the right side of the roadway; to provide for proper operation of a motor vehicle when overtaking a bicyclist; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
We’re also hoping that the new law will be accompanied by a widespread education campaign (with Bike Month in May as a kickoff!) to make sure that drivers are aware of the law, since they routinely ignore the law that now exists.
 
Stay tuned for more details as they become available and reach out with any questions! 

Other Bills Tracked by Georgia Bikes

March 1, 2021

HB 165 – Authored by Representative Timothy Barr (R- Lawrenceville), would allow for the use of mounts on windshields of motor vehicles for the support of wireless telecommunications devices and stand-alone electronic devices, provided that such  mount is located on the windshield in a manner which minimizes obstruction of the driver’s view. This bill passed out of the House Motor Vehicles Committee on Feb. 17, and passed through the House on Feb. 18 with a vote of 166-0.  The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee.

 

HB 199 – Authored by Representative Mike Wilensky (D-Dunwoody), this bill would require the local governing body whose law enforcement agency plans to enforce speed control devices in school zones to submit an application to the Department of Transportation. This bill was referred to the House Motor Vehicles Committee.

 

HB 247 –  Authored by Representative John Carson (R-Marietta), would remove first offender leniency from Georgia’s hands free driving law. This bill passed out of the House Public and Homeland Security Committee on Feb. 18 by substitute. 

 

HB 248 – Authored by Representative Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), would shift authority to implement school zone speed cameras from the local school affected to the local governing body for the county or municipality. The local governing body would still have to apply for a permit from the Georgia Department of Transportation. This bill was referred to the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

HB 534 – Authored by Representative Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville) would create new criminal offenses for illegal drag racing which include the suspension of driver’s licenses with scaling length and severity for subsequent violations.

 

HR 203 – Authored by Representative Josh McLaurin (D- Sandy Springs) provides for taxes on motor fuels to be be appropriated for any/all public transportation purposes. This resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation. 

 

SB 10 – Authored by Sen. Emmanuel Jones (D-Decatur) would provide for the offense of illegal drag racing and laying drags. The bill also creates an offense for knowingly attending an illegal drag race or laying drag exhibition. This bill was reported favorably by the Senate Judiciary Committee.