RCW 46.04.071 Definition of “Bicycle.”
“Bicycle” means every device propelled solely by human power upon which a person or persons may ride, having
two tandem wheels either of which is sixteen or more inches in diameter, or
three wheels, any one of which is more than twenty inches in diameter.
RCW 46.04.200
Definition of “Hours of Darkness.”
“Hours of darkness” means the hours from
one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, and any other time
when persons or objects may not be clearly discernible at a distance of five
hundred feet.
RCW 46.04.197 Definition of “Highway.”
“Highway” means the entire
width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part
thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
RCW 46.04.500 Definition of “Roadway.”
“Roadway” means that portion of
a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive
of the sidewalk or shoulder even though such sidewalk or shoulder is used by
persons riding bicycles. In the event a highway includes two or more separated
roadways, the term "roadway" shall refer to any such roadway separately but
shall not refer to all such roadways collectively.
RCW 46.04.670 “Vehicle.”
“Vehicle”
includes every device capable of being moved upon a public highway and in, upon,
or by which any persons or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a
public highway, including bicycles. The term does not include devices other
than bicycles moved by human or animal power or used exclusively upon stationary
rails or tracks. Mopeds shall not be considered vehicles or motor vehicles for
the purposes of chapter 46.70 RCW. Bicycles shall not be considered vehicles
for the purposes of chapter 46.12, 46.16, or 46.70 RCW.
RCW 46.61.160 Restrictions on use of limited-access highway by bicyclists.
The Department of Transportation
may by order, and local authorities may by ordinance or resolution, with respect
to any limited access highway under their respective jurisdictions prohibit
the use of any such highway by funeral processions, or by parades, pedestrians,
bicycles or other non-motorized traffic, or by any person operating a motor-driven
cycle. Bicyclists may use the right shoulder of limited access highways except
where prohibited. The Department of Transportation may by order, and local authorities
may by ordinance or resolution, with respect to any limited-access highway under
their respective jurisdictions prohibit the use of the shoulders of any such
highway by bicycles within urban areas or upon other sections of the highway
where such use is deemed to be unsafe. The Department of Transportation or the
local authority adopting any such prohibitory regulation shall erect and maintain
official traffic control devices on the limited access roadway on which such
regulations are applicable, and when so erected no person may disobey the restrictions
stated on such devices.
RCW 46.61.700 Parent or guardian shall not authorize
or permit violation by a child or ward.
The parent of any child and the guardian
of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to
violate any of the provisions of this chapter.
RCW 46.61.750 Effect of regulations — Penalty.
(1) It is a traffic infraction for any person to do any act forbidden
or fail to perform any act required in RCW 46.61.750 through 46.61.780. (2)
These regulations applicable to bicycles apply whenever a bicycle is operated
upon any highway or upon any bicycle path, subject to those exceptions stated
herein.
RCW 46.61.755 Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.
Every person
riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall
be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this
chapter, except as to special regulations in RCW 46.61.750 through 46.61.780
and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can
have no application.
RCW 46.61.758 Hand signals.
All hand signals required of
persons operating bicycles shall be given in the following manner: (1) Left
turn. Left hand and arm extended horizontally beyond the side of the bicycle;
(2) Right turn. Left hand and arm extended upward beyond the side of the bicycle,
or right hand and arm extended horizontally to the right side of the bicycle;
(3) Stop or decrease speed. Left hand and arm extended downward beyond the side
of the bicycle. The hand signals required by this section shall be given before
initiation of a turn.
RCW 46.61.760 Riding on bicycles.
(1) A person propelling
a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular
seat attached thereto. (2) No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at
one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
RCW 46.61.765 Clinging to vehicles.
No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates,
sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.
RCW 46.61.770 Riding upon roadways and bicycle paths.
(1) Every person operating
a bicycle upon a roadway at a rate of speed less than the normal flow of traffic
at the particular time and place shall ride as near to the right side of the
right through lane as is safe except as may be appropriate while preparing to
make or while making turning movements, or while overtaking and passing another
bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. A person operating a bicycle
upon a roadway or highway other than a limited-access highway, which roadway
or highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked
traffic lanes, may ride as near to the left side of the left through lane as
is safe. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway may use the shoulder of
the roadway or any specially designated bicycle lane if such exists. (2) Persons
riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on
paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
RCW 46.61.775 Carrying articles.
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package,
bundle or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon
the handle bars.
RCW 46.61.780 Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
(1) Every bicycle when in use during the hours of darkness as defined in RCW 46.37.020
shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible
from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector
on the rear of a type approved by the state patrol which shall be visible from
all distances up to six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful
lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible
from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to
the red reflector. A light-emitting diode flashing taillight visible from a
distance of five hundred feet to the rear may also be used in addition to the
red reflector. (2) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable
the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.