SMC 11.44.020 Rights and duties of rider. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to a driver of a vehicle, except as to the special regulations of this chapter and except as to those provisions of this subtitle which by their nature can have no application.

SMC 11.44.040 Riding on roadways. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed slower than the normal and reasonable flow of motor vehicle traffic thereon 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 that carries traffic in one (1) direction only and that has two (2) 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 utilize the shoulder of the roadway or any specially designated bicycle lane if such exists.

SMC 11.44.080 Overtaking and passing on right. The operator of a bicycle may overtake and pass a vehicle or a bicycle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety.

SMC 11.53.380 When conditions safe. The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway.

SMC 11.14.525 Right-of-way. "Right-of-way" means the right of one (1) vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian or device to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian or device approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed, and proximity as to give rise to the possibility of collision unless one (1) grants precedence to the other.

SMC 11.14.060 Bicycle lane. "Bicycle lane" means a portion of the roadway which has been designated by traffic-control devices for preferential or exclusive use by bicycles.

SMC 11.14.310 Marked bicycle crossing. "Marked bicycle crossing" means any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for bicycle crossing by lines, marking, or other traffic-control devices.

SMC 11.53.195 Marked bicycle crossing. When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a person riding a bicycle within a marked bicycle crossing when such bicyclist is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the bicyclist is approaching from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

SMC 11.44.100 Right-of-way in crosswalk. A person operating a bicycle across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, but shall yield to pedestrians upon and along a crosswalk. No person operating a bicycle shall suddenly enter a crosswalk into the path of a vehicle which is so close that the driver cannot yield safely.

SMC 11.44.120 Riding on sidewalk or public path. Every person operating a bicycle upon any sidewalk or public path shall operate the same in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed no greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing at the point of operation, taking into account the amount and character of pedestrian traffic, grade and width of sidewalk or public path, and condition of surface, and shall obey all traffic-control devices. Every person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk or public path shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian thereon, and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.

SMC 11.53.190 Driving in a bicycle lane. The operator of a motor vehicle shall not drive in a bicycle lane except to execute a turning maneuver, yielding to all persons riding bicycles thereon.

SMC 11.53.200 Overtaking a vehicle on the left. The operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of such overtaken vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. (RCW 46.61.110(1))

SMC 11.53.340 Overtaking on right upon multiple lane street.

RCW 47.26.300 Bicycle Routes--Legislative declaration. The state of Washington is confronted with emergency shortages of energy sources utilized for the transportation of its citizens and must seek alternative methods of providing public mobility. Bicycles are suitable for many transportation purposes, and are pollution-free in addition to using a minimal amount of resources and energy. However, the increased use of bicycles for both transportation and recreation has led to an increase in both fatal and nonfatal injuries to bicyclists. The legislature therefore finds that the establishment, improvement, and upgrading of bicycle routes is necessary to promote public mobility, conserve energy, and provide for the safety of the bicycling and motoring public. 1974

RCW 46.61.770 Riding on roadways and bicycle paths. 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.

RCW 46.61.110 Overtaking a vehicle on the left. The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated:

(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

After five years of daily commuting by bicycle, through sun, rain and snow, over 30,000 miles without mishap, it finally happened. I was hit by a car. An everyday situation, traffic backed up for several blocks due to a stalled vehicle, a line of cars inching forward on a hot afternoon. Riding along the right shoulder I was unrestricted by traffic, yet still slowed, knowing trapped motorist are most dangerous.

In an instant and without warning, an impatient driver whipped a quick right onto a side street, and directly into the path of my bike. Thrown over the hood, I landed and rolled back onto my feet, mad as hell, to say the least. The woman driver took the attitude the accident was my fault, and the wrecked bike my own problem. I told her I have every right to be on the road, confirming this in several conversations with police. Another motorist had pulled up in the mean time, and giving her his card, said he would witness on her behalf. Now I am really steamed. The woman, boosted by the other motorist, declares that she doesn’t like my hostile tone, and refused to give her name or phone. I tell her this becomes a "hit and run", to which she responds while driving off "Go ahead and try!" So be it, I have your license number.

The policeman who arrived corroborated that I indeed had the right of way, and the accident was her fault. Being a "hit and run" results in an automatic $300 fine, and a permanent blemish on her driving record. Now I must file a civil lawsuit, or place a hold on license renewal, but do expect to recover costs for repairs on the bicycle, as well as chiropractic treatments for neck and back. This might become a long, drawn out affair, and could have easily been avoided. It all boils down to two simple points:

Less than one percent of Seattle’s streets actually have bike lanes, and my "lane" usually consists of two and a half feet of gravel and broken glass. Although my average speed doesn’t obstruct traffic, I’m regularly squeezed off the road, intimidated daily by rolling three thousand-pound blunt interments. I’m honked at by passing cars and told not to ride on the sidewalk by pedestrians. Like it or not car culture zealots, I have every right to ride my bike on the same roads as you.

This also goes for the use (or the failure to use) turn signals. Some folks seem to loath the very idea of being behind a bicycle. While such erratic driving maybe an inconvenience to a car, the effect on a cyclist can be devastating. Countless times I’ve confronted urban assault vehicles roaring past, cutting me off at the next corner, all without the slightest flicker of a turn signal. Have bicycles perhaps become a convenient outlet for accidental road rage?

Before now I was simply angry being inconvenienced with a bent bike and bruised body. On the news tonight however, passing reference was made to a fellow cyclist killed in a "hit and run" along Westlake, less than a mile from where I was struck a few days before. Sick inside, I realized this easily could have been me lying dead on the road. When asked why they haven’t ridden their bikes in years, people frequently tell me they’re frightened of being hit by a car. With a renewed respect for this all too real possibility, I refuse to let fear stop me from enjoying the cleanest and most efficient form of transportation known to man.

Still in the game…..