Thus said "Claire Petersky" :
The House Transportation Committee is considering substitution bill HB 1108,
which will legislate safe passing distances for motorists passing
pedestrians and bicycles.

" (2) The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian or bicycle that is
on the right-hand shoulder of the roadway shall pass to the left at a safe
distance, taking into consideration the width or condition of the shoulder
or roadway, the apparent age or condition of the pedestrian or bicyclist,
the weather, the time of day, and other conditions and shall not again drive
to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken
pedestrian or bicyclist."

So it appears that this would only legislate safe passing distances for
bicyclists riding on the shoulder; for other situations the previous
clause mandating passing "at a safe distance" but not specifying much of
anything about what constitutes such.

Both clauses seem to give a lot of room for interpretation by all parties
(motorists, cyclists, LEOs, and judges.) Is this a good thing, or would
mandating a specific distance (e.g. 4 feet seems typical) be more likely
to produce good results?