As a bicyclist in the State of Washington, you are a vulnerable road user – meaning you are at risk of suffering severe and fatal injuries in a traffic accident. As such, it is imperative that you do everything within your power to reduce the risk of getting into a bicycle accident. Knowing and obeying Washington’s bicycle rules of the road can improve your safety as a cyclist.
Traffic Laws for Bicyclists in Washington
Under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 46.61.755, bicyclists are generally treated the same way as motorists in terms of traffic laws. Cyclists are granted many of the same rights and are subject to the same duties as motor vehicle operators, including:
- Bicyclists must share the road with motorists and ride in the same direction as vehicle traffic.
- Bicyclists must ride as near to the right side of the right lane as is safe (RCW 46.61.770).
- Bicyclists must obey all traffic signs and signals, including stopping at stop signs and stop lights. Except as in (RCW 46.61.190)
- Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to others at intersections, as necessary.
- Bicyclists must follow lane markings.
- Bicyclists are not allowed on certain roads, such as most highways in Washington.
- Bicyclists are not permitted to cling to vehicles upon a roadway (RCW 46.61.765).
- Bicyclists who violate traffic laws in Washington are subject to tickets (RCW 46.61.750).
Some municipalities in Washington may not allow bicyclists to ride on sidewalks in downtown areas. If a cyclist is allowed on a sidewalk, he or she is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the responsibilities as a pedestrian.
Required Bicycling Equipment
In Washington, a bicyclist is not legally allowed on a public roadway unless he or she complies with all of the state’s equipment requirements:
- A permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle (RCW 46.61.760).
- When cycling at night, a white front headlight that is visible from a distance of at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector that is visible from at least 600 feet (RCW 46.61.780).
- A brake that enables the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
- A bicycle helmet, in certain cities and counties, although there is no universal helmet law in Washington.
Cyclists must adequately equip themselves and their bikes with the required gear for safety reasons.
Bicycling Safety Tips
If you choose to ride a bike around the State of Washington, you must obey all of the traffic laws that apply to you. Following the rules can keep you out of legal trouble as well as decrease your risk of getting into a harmful accident, as it will keep your movements predictable to surrounding motor vehicle drivers.
While bicyclists are subject to the rules of the road in Washington, they are also given the right to expect safe and fair treatment by motorists. When passing a bicyclist, for example, a driver must leave at least three feet of distance. If a motorist does not respect a bicyclist’s right to the road, he or she can be held responsible for a related bicycle accident in Washington.
If you are injured in a bicycle accident in Washington, help is available at the NW Injury Law Center. We can help you hold a driver or another party accountable for your injuries and bills. Contact us today for a free case consultation.