HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 6434

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Bender and Metcalf)

Enhancing bicycle safety.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (20)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair, Eastern Washington; R. Meyers, Vice Chair, Western Washington; Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bennett, Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, G. Fisher, Forner, Gallagher, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, Nelson, Prentice, Todd and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives Schmidt, Ranking Republican Member; Hankins, Haugen, Smith, D. Sommers, Walker and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Bicycling is increasing in popularity as a form of recreation and as an alternative mode of transportation.

In 1987 the number of children aged 1-14 killed in bicycle accidents was seven, with 751 injured.  In 1988 there were seven killed and 599 injured.

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 one percent of all new construction project dollars.  The DOT also provides staff support for the Washington State Bicycle Advisory Committee.

Currently it is illegal to wear 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.  This program will become a component of the existing safety education officer program.  The Washington State Patrol's Safety Education Officer Program is authorized to use volunteers.  The educators used in the program must be certified in defensive bicycle riding skills.

For the purposes of Title 46, bicycles are considered vehicles, except for the provisions that relate to titling, registration, and the selling of vehicles.

Uniform roadway edgestriping standards are to be adopted by the Department of Transportation by January 1, 1991.  The standards shall apply to all principal and minor arterials and collector streets in areas over 50,000 in population.  All affected areas must be in compliance by July 1, 1993.

A bicycle coordinator is established in the Traffic Safety Commission.  The bicycle coordinator shall coordinate all bicycle programs throughout state agencies.

Motor vehicle drivers and bicyclists are allowed to use electronic devices as long as they can hear sounds with one ear.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 27, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jim Lazar, Bicycle Federation of Washington; and Dale Carlson ("SprocketMan"), bicycle store owner.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Bicycle skills teach children the rules of the road.  Benefits are derived in the form of fewer bicycle accidents, and children are prepared to drive later in life.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 64; Nays 33 - 3/2.

Voting Nay: Representatives Ballard, Beck, Betrozoff, Bowman, Brooks, Brough, Brumsickle, Doty, Ferguson, Forner, Fuhrman, Hankins, Haugen, Holland, Horn, Kirby, May, McLean, Miller, Moyer, Nealey, Padden, Prince, Schmidt, Silver, Smith, D. Sommers, Tate, Van Luven, Walker, S. Wilson, Wolfe and Youngsman