Bicycle Laws & Safety–Revised Code of Washington State

Download and print a digital copy of the 2021 Pocket Law Guide by clicking this link. Pick up a printed copy from the Washington Bikes office in Seattle. We also partner with Bike Clubs and Groups to share the Pocket Guide at in person gatherings and events. If you are a representative of such a club and would like a bulk order, please email info@wabikes.org.

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Washington state bike laws -- request your pocket guide from Washington Bikes

RCW Code Description Link
46.04.071 A Bicycle is defined as a human powered device with 2 wheels bigger than 16 inches. full text of 46.04.071
46.61.050 Bicycles must obey traffic lights and stop signs (as well as all other traffic control devices) full text of 46.61.050
46.61.110 Vehicles passing bicycles shall allow at least 3 feet of distance full text of 46.61.110
46.61.126 Bicycles & Pedestrians must follow traffic laws full text of 46.61.126
46.61.160 Bicycles cannot ride on some limited access highways full text of 46.61.160
46.61.190 The Safety Stop allows cyclists to treat stop signs as yields if there is no oncoming traffic full text of 46.61.190
bikes forbidden: SR 520, I-405, I-90 (exit 0 to exit 17), I-5 (Lakewood to Marysville), parts of 18, 518, 522 & 599 and a few others. all closed routes in WA
46.61.261 A bicycle must yield to a pedestrian on a sidewalk or crosswalk. full text of 46.61.261
46.61.700 Parents are responsible for kids obeying bike laws full text of 46.61.700
46.61.710 Mopeds and gas powered bikes & scooters are not allowed on sidewalks or trails. full text of 46.61.710
46.04.169 Electric-assist bicycles permissible with no more than 1,000 watts of power and maximum speed of 20mph with or without assist. full text of 46.04.169
46.61.710 Electric-assist bicycles allowed on sidewalks and trails but maybe locally forbidden. full text of 46.61.710
46.61.723 Fully electric powered bikes are not allowed on sidewalks or trails. full text of 46.61.723
46.61.750 Bicyclists riding on roads must obey all traffic laws. full text of 46.61.750
46.61.750 Bicyclists may be ticketed for violating traffic laws full text of 46.61.750
46.61.750 Traffic laws apply on bicycle trails too. full text of 46.61.750
46.61.755 Bicycles have all the same RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES as cars. full text of 46.61.755
46.61.755 A bicycle is a vehicle on the road or a pedestrian on the sidewalk full text of 46.61.755
46.61.758 Must signal turns with left hand (right=up, left=out, stop=down). But Right hand signal for right turn is an acceptable substitute. full text of 46.61.758
46.61.760 Only one person per bicycle seat. full text of 46.61.760
46.61.765 Clinging to vehicles is illegal full text of 46.61.765
46.61.770 Ride as far to the right as is safe and practical except when turning or passing. full text of 46.61.770
46.61.770 Bicycles are not required to use a bike lane or shoulder. full text of 46.61.770
46.61.770 Bicycles can and should use turn lanes full text of 46.61.770
46.61.770 Bicycles can ride on the left (with the traffic flow) on one way streets. full text of 46.61.770
46.61.770 Can ride 2 abreast, not more. full text of 46.61.770
46.61.770 Can legally take the lane if necessary. full text of 46.61.770
46.61.775 Must have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times full text of 46.61.775
46.61.775 Cannot ride carrying anything with both hands while riding. full text of 46.61.775
46.61.780 Bikes must have brakes full text of 46.61.780
46.61.780 At night, bikes must have white light on front, red reflector on the back. full text of 46.61.780
46.61.780 Steady or flashing red rear light may be used in addition to the reflector. full text of 46.61.780
46.61.790 Legal to bicycle drunk, but police may impound bicycle if you are too drunk. full text of 46.61.790
47.36.025 New and updated traffic signals must detect bicycles. full text of 46.36.025

Some state laws for cars which are useful for bicyclists to know:

RCW Code Description Link
46.04.197 A Highway is defined as the width of every public roadway between property lines. full text of 46.04.197
46.04.500 A Roadway is defined as a highway excluding sidewalk & shoulder. full text of 46.04.500
46.04.670 A Vehicle is defined as a device capable of being moved upon a public highway. full text of 46.04.670
46.04.670 Bicycles are defined as vehicles. full text of 46.04.670
46.61.115(b) It is OK to pass cars on the right if safe & there’s space for bicycle traffic full text of 46.61.115
46.61.125(1)(d) Car must yield to oncoming bicycle if passing. full text of 46.61.125
46.61.135(3) Illegal to go left around traffic circles. full text of 46.61.135
46.61.185 Vehicle turning left must yield to all oncoming vehicles going straight full text of 46.61.185
46.61.205 A car on a private road or driveway must yield to all vehicles approaching. full text of 46.61.205
46.61.235 Illegal to pass a car stopped for a pedestrian or bicycle. full text of 46.61.235
46.61.261 Car must yield to bicycle on sidewalk full text of 46.61.261
46.61.400 Max speed: 25 MPH on city streets, 50 on county roads, 60 on state highways full text of 46.61.400
46.61.425 May go slow & impede traffic if necessary for safety. full text of 46.61.425
46.61.425 May exceed speed limit briefly to pass slow vehicle. full text of 46.61.425
46.61.427 Must pull out where safe if five or more vehicles delayed on a 2 lane hwy. full text of 46.61.427
46.61.445 Due care is required! full text of 46.61.445
46.61.500 Driving in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property full text of 46.61.500
46.61.606 Cars can’t drive on sidewalk full text of 46.61.606
46.61.620 Check before opening car door. Don’t leave car door open. full text of 46.61.620
46.61.667 Driver may not hold a celphone to their ear. (effective Jul 1 08) full text of 46.61.667
46.61.668 Driver may not send, read or write text message except in emergency. full text of 46.61.668
46.61.670 Illegal for car to drive with 2 or 4 wheels off pavement. full text of 46.61.670