HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2677

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Provides clarification that local jurisdictions may authorize by ordinance or resolution angle parking solely for motorcycles on roadways.
Grants local jurisdictions the authority to authorize by ordinance or resolution more than one motorcycle to occupy a parking space.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Wylie, Vice Chair; Chapman, Gregerson, Kloba, Lovick, McBride, Ortiz-Self, Pellicciotti, Riccelli, Tarleton and Valdez.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Harmsworth, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hayes, Irwin, Morris, Pike, Rodne, Shea, Stambaugh, Van Werven and Young.

Background:

Where vehicle parking is permitted and there is no local law permitting angled parking, vehicles stopped or parked on a two-way roadway must park with their right-hand wheels parallel to the curb and within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder. Vehicles stopped or parked on a one-way roadway must park in this same manner and in the direction of traffic, unless otherwise specified by local ordinance. Local authorities may permit angled parking on any roadway, with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) approval required if the roadway is a federal-aid or state highway on which parking is permitted.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

Local authorities may permit by ordinance or resolution the angled parking solely of motorcycles on any roadway, with the WSDOT approval required if the roadway is a federal-aid or state highway on which parking is permitted. Local authorities may also permit by ordinance or resolution more than one motorcycle to occupy a parking space, provided that the motorcycles in the parking space remain within the boundaries of that parking space.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill replaces state authorization for motorcycles to be stopped or parked either parallel to or at angle to the curb or edge of a highway where parking is permitted with clarification that local jurisdictions may authorize by ordinance or resolution angle parking solely for motorcycles on roadways. It also replaces state authorization for more than one motorcycle to occupy a parking space with granting the authority to local jurisdictions to authorize by ordinance or resolution more than one motorcycle to occupy a parking space.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Motorcycles are an efficient use of the road, and this bill will allow for motorcycles to more efficiently utilize parking spaces. It is an extension of allowing motorcycles to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes. The bill will help to reduce parking congestion by allowing motorcycles to legally park in the manner in which they have been parking since motorcycle use began. For stability reasons, parallel parking does not work for motorcycles. Parallel parking a motorcycle can result in the motorcycle falling over, while parking at angle helps to prevent this from occurring.

Four to five motorcycles can fit in a single parking space. In areas like downtown Seattle, where vehicle congestion is a problem, this would prevent the unnecessary waste of parking spaces. This bill would not create any new challenges for municipalities. Ticketing for motorcycle parking has been sporadic, but when it does occur, it can be very expensive. If the City of Anacortes tried to enforce parking laws against motorcycles during the Oyster Run, there would never be another Oyster Run.

(Opposed) None.