{"id":921,"date":"2012-10-08T21:22:12","date_gmt":"2012-10-08T21:22:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wabikes.org\/?page_id=921"},"modified":"2022-06-16T13:40:50","modified_gmt":"2022-06-16T20:40:50","slug":"bicycle-laws-safety-revised-code-of-washington-state-bicycle-related","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wabikes.org\/index.php\/growing-bicycling\/washington-bike-laws\/bicycle-laws-safety-revised-code-of-washington-state-bicycle-related\/","title":{"rendered":"Bicycle Laws & Safety–Revised Code of Washington State"},"content":{"rendered":"

Download and print a<\/a> digital copy of the 2021 Pocket Law Guide by clicking this link<\/a>. Pick up a printed copy from the Washington Bikes office in Seattle<\/a>. We also partner with Bike Clubs<\/a> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We are unable to provide mailed individual copies at this time.<\/p>\n

\"Washington<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
RCW<\/th>\nCode Description<\/th>\nLink<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
46.04.071<\/td>\nA Bicycle is defined as a human powered device with 2 wheels bigger than 16 inches.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.04.071<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.050<\/td>\nBicycles must obey traffic lights and stop signs (as well as all other traffic control devices)<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.050<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.110<\/td>\nVehicles passing bicycles shall allow at least 3 feet of distance<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.110<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.126<\/td>\nBicycles & Pedestrians must follow traffic laws<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.126<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.160<\/td>\nBicycles cannot ride on some limited access highways<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.160<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.190<\/td>\nThe Safety Stop allows cyclists to treat stop signs as yields if there is no oncoming traffic<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.190<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
bikes forbidden:<\/td>\nSR 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.<\/td>\nall closed routes in WA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.261<\/td>\nA bicycle must yield to a pedestrian on a sidewalk or crosswalk.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.261<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.700<\/td>\nParents are responsible for kids obeying bike laws<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.700<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.710<\/td>\nMopeds and gas powered bikes & scooters are not allowed on sidewalks or trails.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.710<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.04.169<\/td>\nElectric-assist bicycles permissible with no more than 1,000 watts of power and maximum speed of 20mph with or without assist.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.04.169<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.710<\/td>\nElectric-assist bicycles allowed on sidewalks and trails but maybe locally forbidden.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.710<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.723<\/td>\nFully electric powered bikes are not allowed on sidewalks or trails.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.723<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.750<\/td>\nBicyclists riding on roads must obey all traffic laws.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.750<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.750<\/td>\nBicyclists may be ticketed for violating traffic laws<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.750<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.750<\/td>\nTraffic laws apply on bicycle trails too.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.750<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.755<\/td>\nBicycles have all the same RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES as cars.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.755<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.755<\/td>\nA bicycle is a vehicle on the road or a pedestrian on the sidewalk<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.755<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.758<\/td>\nMust signal turns with left hand (right=up, left=out, stop=down). But Right hand signal for right turn is an acceptable substitute.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.758<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.760<\/td>\nOnly one person per bicycle seat.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.760<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.765<\/td>\nClinging to vehicles is illegal<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.765<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.770<\/td>\nRide as far to the right as is safe and practical except when turning or passing.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.770<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.770<\/td>\nBicycles are not required to use a bike lane or shoulder.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.770<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.770<\/td>\nBicycles can and should use turn lanes<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.770<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.770<\/td>\nBicycles can ride on the left (with the traffic flow) on one way streets.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.770<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.770<\/td>\nCan ride 2 abreast, not more.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.770<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.770<\/td>\nCan legally take the lane if necessary.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.770<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.775<\/td>\nMust have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.775<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.775<\/td>\nCannot ride carrying anything with both hands while riding.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.775<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.780<\/td>\nBikes must have brakes<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.780<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.780<\/td>\nAt night, bikes must have white light on front, red reflector on the back.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.780<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.780<\/td>\nSteady or flashing red rear light may be used in addition to the reflector.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.780<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.790<\/td>\nLegal to bicycle drunk, but police may impound bicycle if you are too drunk.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.790<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
47.36.025<\/td>\nNew and updated traffic signals must detect bicycles.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.36.025<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Some state laws for cars which are useful for bicyclists to know:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
RCW<\/th>\nCode Description<\/th>\nLink<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
46.04.197<\/td>\nA Highway is defined as the width of every public roadway between property lines.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.04.197<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.04.500<\/td>\nA Roadway is defined as a highway excluding sidewalk & shoulder.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.04.500<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.04.670<\/td>\nA Vehicle is defined as a device capable of being moved upon a public highway.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.04.670<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.04.670<\/td>\nBicycles are defined as vehicles.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.04.670<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.115(b)<\/td>\nIt is OK to pass cars on the right if safe & there’s space for bicycle traffic<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.115<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.125(1)(d)<\/td>\nCar must yield to oncoming bicycle if passing.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.125<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.135(3)<\/td>\nIllegal to go left around traffic circles.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.135<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.185<\/td>\nVehicle turning left must yield to all oncoming vehicles going straight<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.185<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.205<\/td>\nA car on a private road or driveway must yield to all vehicles approaching.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.205<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.235<\/td>\nIllegal to pass a car stopped for a pedestrian or bicycle.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.235<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.261<\/td>\nCar must yield to bicycle on sidewalk<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.261<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.400<\/td>\nMax speed: 25 MPH on city streets, 50 on county roads, 60 on state highways<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.400<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.425<\/td>\nMay go slow & impede traffic if necessary for safety.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.425<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.425<\/td>\nMay exceed speed limit briefly to pass slow vehicle.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.425<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.427<\/td>\nMust pull out where safe if five or more vehicles delayed on a 2 lane hwy.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.427<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.445<\/td>\nDue care is required!<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.445<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.500<\/td>\nDriving in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.500<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.606<\/td>\nCars can’t drive on sidewalk<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.606<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.620<\/td>\nCheck before opening car door. Don’t leave car door open.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.620<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.667<\/td>\nDriver may not hold a celphone to their ear. (effective Jul 1 08)<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.667<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.668<\/td>\nDriver may not send, read or write text message except in emergency.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.668<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.61.670<\/td>\nIllegal for car to drive with 2 or 4 wheels off pavement.<\/td>\nfull text of 46.61.670<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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