FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1081

                         C 214 L 91

                     Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Implementing a bicycle safety program.

By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, R. Fisher, Braddock, Winsley, Moyer, Paris, Day, G. Fisher, Prentice, H. Sommers, Cooper, R. Johnson, Rust, Dellwo, Pruitt, Phillips, Sprenkle, Riley, Wineberry, Basich, Jacobsen, Leonard, Roland, Bowman, Brekke, Orr, Appelwick and Anderson).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:  While bicycling is increasing in popularity as an alternative mode of transportation, there is a lack of coordination between state agencies and state and local jurisdictions on bicycle programs.

The Washington State Patrol's safety education section teaches bicycle safety as part of its safety education program.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) dedicates three-tenths of 1 percent of all new construction project dollars to fund bicycle paths and wider roadway shoulders.  The DOT also provides staff support for the Washington State Bicycle Advisory Committee.

Summary:  A bicycle awareness program is created within the Washington State Patrol (WSP).

Bicycles are defined as vehicles, except for the provisions that relate to titling, registration and the selling of vehicles.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is directed to adopt minimum pavement marking standards for the right edge of arterials in urbanized areas.  These standards will be phased in over time and will allow local jurisdictions to deviate from the standard under special circumstances.

A bicycle transportation management program is established within the Department of Transportation.  The program manager will be responsible for designing programs that encourage bicycling as a mode of transportation.  In addition, the program manager will coordinate bicycle activities in all state agencies and serve as a clearinghouse for bicycle program information and resources.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  76   22

Senate 42   1   (Senate amended)

House  72   24   (House concurred)

Effective:    July 28, 1991