Legislative Issues
By Kristin Kinnamon
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
Board Member
Traffic Actuated Signals: When a car arrives at a signalized intersection that
is "traffic actuated," it is detected either by an in-pavement magnetic loop or by an optically-based
video camera system. Unfortunately, such detection systems are often not set or designed properly
to be triggered by smaller legal vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles. This creates
an unsafe situation -the motorcyclist or bicyclist must either wait for a car to trigger the light,
cross illegally against the light or leave the traffic lane to push a pedestrian signal.
The Bicycle Alliance proposes a bill to require cities, counties and the state to make all
new traffic-actuated signals detect bikes and motorcycles and to upgrade equipment at existing
signals when significant upgrade work is being done or when an upgrade involves an arterial or bicycle route.
The bill also requires intersections which require a bicycle or motorcycle to stop in a certain
location to activate the signal to mark that area within a set period of time (four years is proposed).
Seeking support from bicyclists, motorcyclists, health community advocates and bike-friendly communities.
Construction Zones: Ever been frustrated as a cyclist by carelessly-placed
construction signs blocking the bike lane or shoulder? Ever suddenly come across a closed sidewalk
with no safe alternative? National standards (Manual of Uniform Traffic Code Devices)
that are adopted by most jurisdictions suggest that bicycles, people with disabilities and pedestrians
be considered when planning for access through construction zones. In practice, construction projects
often create dangerous barriers for non-motorized travelers when proper planning could provide safe
alternatives. Our bill will require compliance with MUTCD standards so that people who use wheelchairs,
bikes or their own two feet are considered important user groups when construction, repair,
utility or maintenance closures and detours are necessary.
Seeking support from bicyclists, pedestrians, disability groups, senior groups, transit and transit
advocates and bike-friendly communities.
3-Foot Passing: The Bicycle Alliance has worked successfully for many
years to promote and legislate safe passing behavior by motorists.
Washington state law already
requires cars to pass cyclists at a "safe distance" This bill would specify what that distance is.
The Washington State Patrol supports this bill because they understand that the main goal is to use
"3 feet" for educating drivers, not forcing cops to enforce the law by walking around with yardsticks.
The bill also addresses a concern raised by the truckers last year that they may be ticketed for
crossing a center line to pass a bicycle. The bill adds passing a bicycle to the list of items
that allow a vehicle to cross a center line. We've been studying other state's laws and have good
information on how similar bills have succeeded.
Seeking support from bicyclists, law enforcement, pedestrian advocates, traffic safety advocates, automotive groups.
School Transportation Funding: The Bicycle Alliance is a partner in the
Center for Safe Routes to School in Washington State.
We help communities educate, engineer, encourage and evaluate walking and biking programs and facilities for
schools. With our bad economy, legislators and school leaders are also wondering how to get the most out
of school transportation funding. Did you know state money can be used to bus kids who live within 1 mile of school,
but can't help pay for school crossing guards so kids could walk instead? We want to give school districts
incentives to work for safer roads and healthier transportation in their community, not just more money
for buses year after year.
Seeking support from school districts, PTAs, public health, bicyclists, pedestrian and environmental advocates, children's groups and bike-friendly communities.
Global Warming: A Bicycle Alliance representative serves on the state's
Climate Change subcommittee on transportation. The committee will be supporting policies and
legislation that encourage bicycles as a climate-friendly transportation option.
Seeking support from environmentalists, bicyclists, smart growth, public health.
The BAW Legislative Committee welcomes bike advocates from across the state.
If you'd like to be considered for membership, please submit a letter of interest to me at
kinnamonk@aol.com or call (360) 658-2462.
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