Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

SB 6070

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 Description: Establishing permissible methods of parking a motorcycle.

Sponsors: Senators Fortunato and Hasegawa.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes motorcycles to be stopped or parked either parallel to or at an angle to the curb or edge of a highway where parking is permitted, so long as the motorcycle does not extend into the roadway.

  • Permits more than one motorcycle to occupy a parking space provided they remain within the boundaries of the parking space.

Hearing Date: 2/15/18

Staff: Jennifer Harris (786-7143).

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 Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) approval required if the roadway is a federal-aid or state highway.

Summary of Bill:

Where vehicle parking is permitted, every motorcycle stopped or parked on a highway may be stopped or parked parallel to or at an angle to the curb or edge of the highway, with at least one wheel or fender within 12 inches of the curb nearest to the motorcycle, or as close as is practical to the edge of the shoulder nearest to the motorcycle (WSDOT approval is not required for motorcycles to park at an angle if the highway is a federal-aid or state highway where parking is permitted). A motorcycle may not be parked in a manner that results in the motorcycle extending into the roadway.

More than one motorcycle may occupy a parking space, provided that the motorcycles in the parking space remain within the boundaries of that parking space.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.