State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) has announced that the Senate has passed legislation requiring motorists to pass bicyclists to proceed at a safe distance. The measure, known as "Merrill's Law" was so named after Merrill Cassell, an avid cyclist and safety advocate who was fatally struck by a bus last year while cycling in Greenburgh.

The measure was already passed in the Assembly and now heads to the Governor's desk, where it's expected to be signed.

Failure to comply with the requirement will result in a traffic infraction.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says there were 42 bike-related traffic fatalities in 2008 alone. Similar legislation has been passed in Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Utah and requires drivers to maintain a distance of no less than three feet between the vehicle and the bicyclist.