NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law 1122-a. Overtaking a bicycle (NYS Safe Passing Law). The operator of a vehicle overtaking, from behind, a bicycle proceeding on the same side of a roadway shall pass to the left of such bicycle at a safe distance until safely clear thereof. (Source: Overtaking a bicycle, NYSenate.gov Vehicle & Traffic CHAPTER 71, TITLE 7, ARTICLE 25)

What this means:  On many two lane roads where the street is narrow or there are cars parked on the right, there’s insufficient space for motor vehicles and cyclists to share a single lane. In that case, cars should wait until there is space and time to move to the left and pass the bicyclist. This may require passing motor vehicles to briefly cross into the opposing lane of traffic.

When there is 10 feet or less of lane width to share, bicyclists are permitted to "take the lane" by positioning themselves at or near the center of the lane. This enables them to be seen by overtaking vehicles and gives the message that the overtaking vehicle must move left to pass when it is safe to do so. Other instances when a people riding bicycles can take the lane include “take the lane” roads that don’t have a shoulder or where there are obstructions on the right. (Source: Bicycling in New York, NYS Dept of Transportation DOT.NY.gov)

Safe passing is generally interpreted in most states as requiring at least three or four feet when passing non-motorized slower traffic. As of September 2022, 35 states required motor vehicles to give three or more feet of space when passing a cyclist.

Dooring: NYS Law asks cyclists to ride as far to the right as practicable, but cyclists still need to be vigilant about parked cars where passengers may be opening doors to exit without looking to see if there is two or four wheeled traffic approaching. Bicycle riders should be at least three feet to the left of parked cars to avoid being hit by driver side doors.