BILL REQ. #:  S-1122.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/07/13.   

     AN ACT Relating to motorcycles overtaking and passing pedestrians and bicyclists; and amending RCW 46.61.608.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 46.61.608 and 1975 c 62 s 46 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.
     (2) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. However, this subsection shall not apply when the operator of a motorcycle overtakes and passes a pedestrian or bicyclist while maintaining a safe passing distance of at least three feet.
     (3) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
     (4) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.
     (5) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.