With summer in full swing and gas prices at full force, there are more bicyclists on the streets and in your neighborhood. To keep cyclists and drivers safe on the road, we’ve teamed up with Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation to share bike tips and traffic laws – which apply to cyclists just as they do vehicle drivers.

Bike Tips for Visibility and Safety

Be predictable! You are more visible when you are in proper lane position and when a driver knows what to expect from you.

Obey all traffic laws -stop at stop signs and lights and use hand signals.

Ride as far to the right as is safe.

Leave three feet between yourself and parked cars.

Ride to the right hand side of the travel lane but not in the shoulder or gutter.

Pass on the left.

Wear bright clothing.

Use lights at night.

Always wear a helmet.

Washington State Bicycle Traffic Laws
What traffic laws apply to cyclists?
Cyclists have ALL the rights and responsibilities of vehicle drivers. Bicyclists must obey all traffic laws. (RCW 46.61.755)

What lane position should cyclists use? (RCW 46.61.770)

Ride as far to the right as is safe, except when preparing to turn or when passing another vehicle.

Occupy the center of a lane when the lane is too narrow to share or when it would be unsafe to ride to the right.

Cyclists may ride on a path, lane, shoulder, or travel lane.

Are cyclists required to wear helmets?
Helmets are required by law in King County and many other jurisdictions. (King County Board of Health Title 9)

Are cyclists required to use lights?
Use a white front light (visible for 500 feet) and a red rear reflector at night. A red rear light may be used in addition to the rear reflector. (RCW 46.61.780)

Are cyclists required to signal turns?
Use hand signals (and look) before turning. (RCW 46.61.758)

May cyclists ride on sidewalks?
Cyclists may ride on sidewalks in Seattle, but not in some other cities. Cyclists must ride at a reasonable speed, yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, and must give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian. (Seattle Traffic Code Section 11.44.120)

Courtesy of:
Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation
Cascade Bicycle Club

For more information go to Bike Safety

Thank you to Velo Bike Shop for supporting the KIRO 7 bike team.

Tune in to KIRO 7 and visit kirotv.com often to learn what you can do to stay Safe in the Sound.