by SHERIFF BILL CUMMING AND JOE CUSSEN
Spring is here and summer is on its way. As our weather improves, bicyclists will be on our roads enjoying the beautiful vistas that make the San Juan Islands a wonderful destination place. It is important that both bicyclists and motorists remember that they are sharing the same roads, and must abide by the same rules. Bicyclists and motorists have the same rights and also the same responsibilities.
Using the Revised Code of Washington State [RCW] as our reference, what follows are a few primary rules of the road to be observed by all.
• A highway is the entire width between the boundary lines of every public way [RCW 46.04.197]. A roadway is that portion of a highway that is used for vehicular travel, excluding the sidewalks and shoulders even where used by bicyclists. [RCW 46.04.500]. A vehicle is defined as a device that is capable of being moved on a public highway, and bicycles are defined as vehicles [RCW 46.04.670].
• Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities upon a roadway as any other motorist [RCW 46.61.755], and as such, bicyclists must obey all traffic laws [RCW 46.61.750]], and obey all traffic control devices [stop signs, traffic lights, etc] [RCW 46.61.050].
• Bicyclists also have special responsibilities [RCW 46.61.770]: They must ride as far to the right side of a roadway as is safe and practical, except when turning or passing. They may not ride more than two abreast, except on special bike lanes or paths. Although shoulders and bike lanes may be safer than roadways, bicyclists are not required to use them, especially if there is debris [rocks, glass, branches, etc] in these areas. A bike lane must be at least 4 feet wide, and there are no designated bike lanes in the San Juan Islands.
• A motorist should allow at least three feet of space when overtaking or passing a bicyclist.
• Motorists shall not drive on the left side of a roadway [RCW 46.61.125]: a) When approaching or upon the crest of a grade or a curve where the driver’s view is obstructed to oncoming traffic.
b) When a bicycle or pedestrian is within view of the driver and is approaching from the opposite direction and within a distance that is unsafe due to the width or condition of the roadway.
On a two-lane roadway where passing is unsafe because of traffic in the opposite direction, a slow moving vehicle with five or more vehicles lined up behind it must turn off the roadway wherever sufficient area for a safe turn out exists to permit the vehicles following to pass {RCW 46.61.427].
We hope this information is valuable to both bicyclists and motorists. It is in all of our best interests to use common sense and common courtesy in order to keep our roads as safe as possible for everyone who uses them.
