SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESHB 1081

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 27, 1991

Brief Description:  Implementing a bicycle safety program.

SPONSORS: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

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Erwin, Hansen, McMullen, Oke, Skratek, Snyder, and Thorsness. 

Staff:  David Williams (786‑7305)

Hearing Dates:March 27, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Bicycling is increasing in popularity as an alternative mode of transportation.

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

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

State law prohibits the wearing of headphones attached to any electronic device that blocks outside sounds to both ears while operating a motor vehicle.

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.

Headset use by bicycle riders and motor vehicle operators is prohibited.

A bicycle transportation program manager position is established within the DOT.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Equity in the enforcement of the rules of the road would be provided.  Bicycle safety education will be improved.  Day-to-day bicycle facility coordination and awareness would be considered when developing other transportation projects.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  FOR:  Rep. Betty Sue Morris, prime sponsor; Diane Lister, Bicycle Federation of Wash.; Peter Lagerwey, City of Seattle; Cliff Mansfield, DOT; Craig Olson, Assn. of Washington Cities; Phil Miller, King County Public Works; Steve Lind, Traffic Safety Commission; Kathy Williams, Dept. of Health