SECTION 1: Section 1 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Transporter” the following sentence:-

“Vulnerable user” means (a) a pedestrian, including those persons actually engaged in work upon a way, or in work upon utility facilities along a way, or engaged in the provision of emergency services within the way; or (b) a person operating a bicycle, handcycle, tricycle, skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates, non-motorized scooter, wheelchair, electric personal assistive mobility device, horse-drawn carriage, motorized bicycle, motorized scooter, farm tractor or similar vehicle designed primarily for farm use, or motorcycle; or (c) a person riding an animal.

SECTION 2: Said section 14 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking, in line 9, the sentence beginning with the words :- “In approaching…” and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:-

In approaching or passing a vulnerable user (as defined in Section 1 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws), the operator of a motor vehicle shall slow down and pass at a safe distance and at a reasonable and proper speed, where a safe distance is defined as at least three feet when the motor vehicle is traveling at thirty miles per hour or less, and one additional foot of clearance is required for every ten miles per hour above thirty miles per hour.

SECTION 3: Section 2 of Chapter 89 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking, in line 6, the sentence beginning with the words:-  “If it is not possible ….” and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:-

“If it is not possible to overtake a vulnerable user (as defined in Section 1 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws) or other vehicle at a safe distance (as defined in Section 14 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws) in the same lane, the overtaking vehicle shall use all or part of an adjacent lane, crossing the centerline if necessary, if it is safe to do so or wait for a safe opportunity to overtake.”