With gas prices draining motorists' pockets, bicycles may start becoming a more common sight on streets.

And there are several new laws on the books motorists and bicyclists should know about.

Senate Bill 80, which went into effect Jan. 1, clarifies rules regarding passing bicycles, bicyclists' hand signals and bike position.

First, the legislation clarifies there should be a 3-foot clearance when a motorist passes a bicycle.

"The 3-foot rule allows us to ride in the safest part of the road," said Dixie DeVry of Ottawa, who has been bicycling for 27 years and is a member of the Starved Rock Cycling Association. "Often, on the far right side, there are lots of bumps, nicks and other debris, and now this law gives us that choice to ride in the safest spot."

The law previously said bikes must be passed at a safe distance, and the new legislation now clarifies that distance.

Second, the legislation provides the rider of a bicycle shall ride as close to the right-hand curb or edge as practicable and safe (rather than as close as practicable), except in specified circumstances. The rider is not required to ride as close to the right-hand curb or edge as practicable and safe when the rider is approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

When going straight, bikes near the curb or in a right-turn lane are more likely to be cut off.

DeVry said if bicyclists ride into a lane, it's because it's the safest place to ride, not because the bicyclist is trying to hog the road.

"I think that is misunderstood," DeVry said.

Third, the legislation states a bicyclist may signal a right turn by extending his or her right hand horizontally and to the right side of the bicycle.

This signal is more easily understood, and already was suggested unofficially, according to the League of Illinois Bicyclists.

"We just want to make drivers aware of these new laws; it hasn't really been published in the drivers handbooks yet," DeVry said.

DeVry said the association hopes to work with Ottawa Mayor Robert Eschbach to make Ottawa more "bicycle-friendly" and also is floating the idea of historical bicycle tours.

But in the meantime, DeVry said her hope is for motorists and bicyclists to respect each other.

"Let's share the road," she said.