Motorists could be ticketed for driving too close to bicyclists if Utah senators approve legislation that passed the House of Representatives on Thursday.

House Bill 49 would require drivers to leave 3 feet between their car and a bicycle when passing.

Salt Lake City Democratic Rep. Roz McGee, the bill's sponsor, noted that six cyclists were killed on Utah roads last year - two when they were hit from behind.

"They are not protected with sheet metal and air bags. They only have a plastic helmet and Lycra," McGee said.

"This bill is a matter of saving lives, reducing injury, reducing insurance costs and raising civility between bicyclists and motorists."

Cyclists would be required to ride as close to the shoulder as possible on highways and could ride only two abreast. Drivers would not be held responsible for bicyclists who turn in front of them. But police could issue traffic tickets to drivers who "knowingly, intentionally or recklessly" drive closer to bicyclists.

Lawmakers told their own stories of being hit by cars while riding their bikes or near misses. But others told of problems trying to avoid hitting cyclists.

Sandy GOP Rep. Todd Kiser said he was hit from behind and dragged along with a car in 1987.

"Many times, operators of vehicles want to come as close as possible to the bicyclist without hitting them," Kiser said. "We need to give common courtesy to bicyclists."

But Rep. David Ure, a Republican from Kamas who owns a dairy, talked about driving his truck up Provo Canyon and trying to avoid cyclists. Other lawmakers worried about narrow rural highways and neighborhood streets. East Millcreek GOP Rep. Susan Lawrence wondered if she should ultimately risk a head-on collision with another car to avoid a cyclist. And Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, said rural Utah roads are often jammed with traffic caught behind herds of cyclists on vacation.

"We've got people going to their jobs, tourists, older people driving Winnebagos. I've seen traffic backed up for 10 and 15 miles behind a group of bicycles," Noel said, noting one of last year's fatal accidents happened in Beaver. "This is what occurs all summer long on Highway 89."

And Riverton Rep. David Hogue said, "I don't think we have to give a ticket to a person because they sometimes get too close to a bicycle," Hogue said. "I look out for bicyclists. Most people do. I don't think this is fair."

Representatives sent the bill to the Senate with a 45-19 vote.