New Washington State Law will Help Protect Bicyclists

Washington has been named the nation’s most “bicyclist friendly state.” After all, our state boasts over 5,000 miles of bike trails. Even so, bicyclists remain vulnerable road users. Hundreds of cyclists are seriously injured and killed every year in collisions. Thankfully, new laws will soon offer greater protection to cyclists on our roads. But before I discuss those laws with you, I’d like to share my own story about why I personally chose to stop biking to work each day.

Why I Stopped Riding My Bike to Work

From 1999 to 2008, I frequently rode my bike to the office. I never felt completely safe on the road with semi-trucks and cars whizzing by at 50 mph. Yet, I never felt completely unsafe either. During this time, I did all the right things to stay safe, such as wearing bright clothes. I believed I could coexist with motor vehicles with minimal risk.

By 2009, I no longer believed the risk was minimal. The game changer for me was the growing popularity of the smartphone. Almost overnight, the number of drivers I would see looking at their phones during my commute went from a few to several dozen. I would also see more and more drivers drifting towards the shoulder (probably looking at their phones).

As a personal injury attorney, I also began to help or more victims of bicycle collisions during this time. Commuters not paying attention or rushing to their destination were causing serious injuries, even deaths. I decided I could no longer accept the risk of riding to work.

Data backs up my fears. In 2018, 857 cyclists were killed in the US. This is a 6.3% increase from 2017.

New Washington State Law to Benefit Vulnerable Roadway Users

The Washington State Legislature has taken note of the increased dangers to cyclists and has passed laws to help. Specifically, a new law passed this year that protects bicyclists and other vulnerable roadway users from unsafe motorists who try to pass too close. The bill was signed by Governor Inslee in May 2019 and will take effect on January 1, 2020.

The new law will impose increased penalties for several traffic infractions that cause a good portion of bicycle crashes and fatalities. It will also clarify how motorists and bicyclists should share the road in a number of situations. Additionally, the law will help other vulnerable roadway users, such as pedestrians and motorcyclists.

The fines from these infractions will go into a fund that helps educate law enforcement about traffic enforcement for vulnerable road users.

What Does the New Law Change for Road Users?

So, let’s look at the specifics of the new law that went into effect on January 1, 2020.

• Increased penalties to motorists for six traffic infractions. These include failing to yield at an intersection, failure to yield at a 4-way stop, failing to yield when turning left, failure to yield when entering a highway, improper overtaking and passing, and following too closely.
• Clarifications on passing and following. Specific guidelines on when and how to pass a bicyclist have been added. For instance, a motorist passing a bicyclist on a single-travel lane road must allow at least 3 feet of space where practical. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the updated law.
• New laws for bicyclists. The revised code recognizes that there are times bicyclists may need to change their speed or lane. These exceptions give bicyclists opportunities to do what they need to stay safe. In addition, bicyclists are forbidden to block a lane when a motorist tries to pass. If you are a bicyclist, make sure to read the revised code that goes into effect in 2020.

You can read the entire bill at the Washington State Legislature’s website.

What are the Other Laws about Bicyclists in Washington State?

This might be a good time to make sure to review Washington State laws that relate to bicyclists. We’ve summarized some of the key laws for you in the table below. However, we encourage you to read each one for yourself.