A movement to offer bicyclists more protections through “safe passing” laws could be gaining traction in Denton.

City Council member Dalton Gregory, fresh from a transportation conference in Austin, addressed the council’s mobility committee Tuesday on ways to make Denton more bicycle-friendly, including possibly enacting a “safe passing” ordinance based on one adopted in San Antonio this month.

That ordinance requires motorists to allow a “safe distance” — at least 3 feet for cars and 6 feet for heavy trucks — between their vehicles and “vulnerable road users” such as pedestrians, bicyclists, children and physically disabled people. Violators can face fines of up to $200.

“They don’t get ticketed, generally, if they get too close, but if there ends up being an accident involving an automobile and a pedestrian or an automobile and a bike rider, clearly they got within 3 feet,” Gregory said. “So the presumption is the driver is probably in the wrong. It’s not always the case, but at least we’re working from a different point of view and making the big guy, who is not likely to get hurt, think a little more carefully before they operate.”

Austin was the first Texas city to adopt a safe-passing ordinance after Gov. Rick Perry vetoed a statewide law last year. The nonprofit Texas Bicycle Coalition is urging cities to pass the protections.

Gregory serves on the mobility committee along with Mayor Mark Burroughs and Mayor Pro Tem Pete Kamp. No date was set for a vote on the proposed ordinance.

Meanwhile, the council plans to meet at 11:30 a.m. April 5 at City Hall to discuss the potential for more bicycle and pedestrian lanes on Denton roads.

LOWELL BROWN can be reached at 940-566-6882. His e-mail is lmbrown@dentonrc.com .