Bike Laws in Washington State
The popular Pocket Reference Guide for Washington Bicycle Laws is available for download here.
Print it double-sided and you can cut it out, fold it up, and put it in your wallet or saddle bag for future needs.
This pocket guide includes a description of the safety stop law which was passed in 2020. You should know this law.
Below is a more complete list of the statutory laws related to bicycling, including motor vehicle laws as they pertain to interacting with cyclists.
You may download a copy of these laws.
Washington State Bike Laws - 2022
|
RCW |
Code Description |
|
46.04.071 |
A Bicycle is defined as a human powered device with 2 wheels bigger than 16 inches. |
|
46.61.050 |
Bicycles must obey traffic lights and stop signs (as well as all other traffic control devices) |
|
46.61.110 |
Vehicles passing bicycles shall allow at least 3 feet of distance |
|
46.61.126 |
Bicycles & Pedestrians must follow traffic laws |
|
46.61.160 |
Bicycles cannot ride on some limited access highways |
|
46.61.190 |
The Safety Stop allows cyclists to treat stop signs as yields if there is no oncoming traffic |
|
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. |
|
46.61.261 |
A bicycle must yield to a pedestrian on a sidewalk or crosswalk. |
|
46.61.700 |
Parents are responsible for kids obeying bike laws |
|
46.61.710 |
Mopeds and gas powered bikes & scooters are not allowed on sidewalks or trails. |
|
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. |
|
46.61.710 |
Electric-assist bicycles allowed on sidewalks and trails but maybe locally forbidden. |
|
46.61.723 |
Fully electric powered bikes are not allowed on sidewalks or trails. |
|
46.61.750 |
Bicyclists riding on roads must obey all traffic laws. |
|
46.61.750 |
Bicyclists may be ticketed for violating traffic laws |
|
46.61.750 |
Traffic laws apply on bicycle trails too. |
|
46.61.755 |
Bicycles have all the same RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES as cars. |
|
46.61.755 |
A bicycle is a vehicle on the road or a pedestrian on the sidewalk |
|
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. |
|
46.61.760 |
Only one person per bicycle seat. |
|
46.61.765 |
Clinging to vehicles is illegal |
|
46.61.770 |
Ride as far to the right as is safe and practical except when turning or passing. |
|
46.61.770 |
Bicycles are not required to use a bike lane or shoulder. |
|
46.61.770 |
Bicycles can and should use turn lanes |
|
46.61.770 |
Bicycles can ride on the left (with the traffic flow) on one way streets. |
|
46.61.770 |
Can ride 2 abreast, not more. |
|
46.61.770 |
Can legally take the lane if necessary. |
|
46.61.775 |
Must have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times |
|
46.61.775 |
Cannot ride carrying anything with both hands while riding. |
|
46.61.780 |
Bikes must have brakes |
|
46.61.780 |
At night, bikes must have white light on front, red reflector on the back. |
|
46.61.780 |
Steady or flashing red rear light may be used in addition to the reflector. |
|
46.61.790 |
Legal to bicycle drunk, but police may impound bicycle if you are too drunk. |
|
47.36.025 |
New and updated traffic signals must detect bicycles. |
Some state laws for cars which are useful for bicyclists to know - 2022
|
RCW |
Code Description |
|
46.04.197 |
A Highway is defined as the width of every public roadway between property lines. |
|
46.04.500 |
A Roadway is defined as a highway excluding sidewalk & shoulder. |
|
46.04.670 |
A Vehicle is defined as a device capable of being moved upon a public highway. |
|
46.04.670 |
Bicycles are defined as vehicles. |
|
46.61.115(b) |
It is OK to pass cars on the right if safe & there’s space for bicycle traffic |
|
46.61.125(1)(d) |
Car must yield to oncoming bicycle if passing. |
|
46.61.135(3) |
Illegal to go left around traffic circles. |
|
46.61.185 |
Vehicle turning left must yield to all oncoming vehicles going straight |
|
46.61.205 |
A car on a private road or driveway must yield to all vehicles approaching. |
|
46.61.235 |
Illegal to pass a car stopped for a pedestrian or bicycle. |
|
46.61.261 |
Car must yield to bicycle on sidewalk |
|
46.61.400 |
Max speed: 25 MPH on city streets, 50 on county roads, 60 on state highways |
|
46.61.425 |
May go slow & impede traffic if necessary for safety. |
|
46.61.425 |
May exceed speed limit briefly to pass slow vehicle. |
|
46.61.427 |
Must pull out where safe if five or more vehicles delayed on a 2 lane hwy. |
|
46.61.445 |
Due care is required! |
|
46.61.500 |
Driving in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property |
|
46.61.606 |
Cars can’t drive on sidewalk |
|
46.61.620 |
Check before opening car door. Don’t leave car door open. |
|
46.61.667 |
Driver may not hold a celphone to their ear. (effective Jul 1 08) |
|
46.61.668 |
Driver may not send, read or write text message except in emergency. |
|
46.61.670 |
Illegal for car to drive with 2 or 4 wheels off pavement. |
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