"Drivers would be required to "exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist and shall when necessary to avoid an imminent or likely collision give warning by sounding the horn or an appropriate verbal warning." The bill also directs drivers to pass bicyclists or pedestrians "at a safe distance" - three feet in lateral separation when a vehicle is going less than 35 mph and five feet when the speed exceeds 35.
The measure would also require bicyclists to ride as near to the right or left side of the streets or on a paved shoulder when there is traffic and the bicyclists are going slower than the posted rate of speed."
The bill would also require cyclists to always yield to the right-of-way of pedestrians.
Comments
Discriminatory laws
The PI article incorrectly mentions that riding far to the right (FTR) is an addition to WA state law -- WA already requires it. Pedersen's bill provides important clarifications in which the bicyclist can judge how far right is safe. It *does* add mandatory bike lane/shoulder language to the bill.