From: josh@Happy-Man.com (Joshua_Putnam)
Subject: County's Q&A on bike rules
Summary: What King County, WA, says bikes should do
Reply-To: Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com
Organization: Happy Man Corp., Vashon Island, WA 98070-7399
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 23:03:25 GMT

This morning I dug out my official King County Bicycle Guidemap to get
the phone number for the County's RoadShare Program, which among other
duties investigates citizen complaints and suggestions regarding
"street cleaning, pavement condition, striping, access, route signing,
parking and dangerous grates."  I called to question the placement of
some lane lines in an ongoing repavement project, and the County said
they would have someone out to talk with the contractor this
afternoon.  That's service!

While I have the map out, I thought it might be interesting to pass
along the following Q&A section on Washington's laws regarding
bicycles.  It addresses several ongoing rec.bicycles discussions.  All
typos are mine; the grammar and contents are not.

1. Q.  What traffic laws apply to bicyclists?
   A.  When ridden on any roadway a bicycle rider has all of the
rights and responsibilities of any vehicle (RCW 46.61.755).  Unless
bicycles are specifically excepted, all traffic laws and rules apply
to bicycles.  Bicyclists who violate traffic laws are subject to a
citation.
   
2. Q.  Should bicyclists ride with the flow of traffic or facing
traffic?
   A.  Bicyclists should always ride with the flow of traffic (RCW
46.61.100).  The law requires this.  Riding with the flow of traffic
greatly increases safety by making bicycles visible and predictable to
other drivers.  Riding against traffic is a leading cause of bicycle
accidents.
   
3. Q.  What position in the lane should a bicyclist use?
   A.  1)  Bicyclists traveling at the speed of traffic may use the
middle of the lane.
       2)  A bicyclist traveling at a speed less than the normal flow
of traffic should ride as near to the right side of the right through
lane as is safe except when a) preparing to turn, b) when passing
another bicycle or vehicle, or c) on a one-way street, where it is
legal to ride on the left (RCW 46.61.770)
       3)  Bicyclists should ride in the middle of the right through
lane when that lane is too narrow to permit side-by-side sharing with
motor vehicles, and when hazards (such as drain grates or a rough
edge) prevent riding on the shoulder or along the edge of the lane.
       4)  Bicyclists may ride on the road shoulder, but this is only
required on limited-access highways, such as freeways.
       5)  A bicyclist, like any slow vehicle driver, must pull off of
a two lane highway when five or more vehicles are lined up behind, if
there is sufficient area for a safe turn-out. (RCW 46.61.427).

4. Q.  What lane position should a bicyclist use through an
intersection?
   A.  Normally, bicycles should follow the same paths as other
vehicles;
       1) Use any designated turning lane as indicated.
       2) use the right side of the road for right turns.
       3) Use the rightmost through lane for going straight.
       4) use the left side of the roadway for left turns.
       At a difficult or dangerous intersection a bicyclist may
dismount and use the crosswalk as a pedestrian.
       
5. Q.  What equipment is required on bicycles used at night?
   A.  A white front light and a red rear reflector are required (RCW
46.61.780).  In addition, a red lamp and/or flashing amber light is
allowed.  Use of reflectors alone does not satisfy state requirements.
  
6. Q.  Where is bicycling not allowed?
   A.  1) On sidewalks within business districts (RCW 49.90.555) if
adopted by local government.
       2) On designated sections of our state's limited-access highway
system.
       3) Where forbidden by local ordinance.
       
7. Q.  Is it illegal to bicycle while intoxicated?
   A.  Yes.  Because bicyclists have the same rights and
responsibilities as other vehicle drivers, RCW 46.61.502 applies to
bicyclists.
   
8. Q.  Are bicyclists required to use a bikepath adjacent to a
roadway?
   A.  No.  A bicyclist may choose either a path or the roadway.  Some
paths are not well suited to many cyclists' needs, particularly fast
riders or when crowded with other users.
   
9. Q.  Are children required to observe bicycle traffic laws?
   A.  Yes.  Bicyclists of all ages are required to follow the same
traffic laws and may be cited for violations.  In addition, a parent
or guradian shall not knowingly permit bicycle traffic violations by
their ward (RCW 46.61.700).
   
10.Q.  May cyclists ride side-by-side?
   A.  Yes.  State law allows bicyclists to ride two abreast (RCW
46.61.770), see question 3 regarding appropriate position in lane.


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