When approaching a bicyclist, what is a safe passing practice?

Answer: B — Leave a safe passing distance (typically 3 feet) when passing a bicyclist

Giving cyclists space as you pass is essential for safety. The best practice is to leave a safe passing distance—about three feet—before moving to pass. This gap gives the rider enough room to stay balanced, avoid being hit by your side mirror, and steer clear of any debris or gusts of wind stirred up by your vehicle. It also reduces the chance of you encroaching on the cyclist’s lane or forcing them toward the edge of the road. To apply this, signal your intent, scan for oncoming traffic and parked cars, and wait for a clear, wide moment to pass. Move smoothly into the adjacent lane and pass with a wide margin, then return to your lane only after you can see the cyclist in your rearview mirror and there’s plenty of space ahead. Others approaches aren’t safe: honking can startle the cyclist and cause unpredictable movements; squeezing through narrow gaps leaves little room for error and can lead to a collision; speeding up before passing reduces the clearance you have and increases risk for both of you.