Passing bicyclists
The handlebars of a bicycle are approximately 2.5 ft wide. The average rider sways approximately 9 inches to and fro while riding, barring further movement to avoid road debris. Keep this in mind when passing a bicyclist.
In every state the MINIMUM standard of passing a vehicle (including a bicycle, which is considered a vehicle in all states and DC), is a “safe distance” – or enough room that if the bicyclist were to crash and burn the motorist would be far enough away so as not to hit them.
Maybe a better way to understand “safe distance” is to imagine someone we love as the person riding the bicycle we are passing.