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Bicycle Rider Duty to Yield to Pedestrians

More and more Washington State residents are riding bicycles to work and for pleasure, particularly now that we are in the middle of another beautiful summer.  As a bicycle rider, do you know that you have a duty to yield the right of way to pedestrians, both on the street and on a sidewalk?  Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 46.61.261(1) provides, in part, that: “The rider of a bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian on a sidewalk or crosswalk.”  In addition to a monetary fine for failing to yield to a pedestrian, a bicyclist may open themselves up to a personal injury claim if they strike and injure any pedestrian.  

The full statute may be read here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.261

For more Washington laws as they apply to bicyclists, visit wabikes.org: http://wabikes.org/growing-bicycling/washington-bike-laws/bicycle-laws-safety-revised-code-of-washington-state-bicycle-related/

If you are a pedestrian that has been injured after being strike by a bicyclist, give one of our attorneys a call to discuss your rights.

If you have been involved in an accident, please call or email our attorneys for a free consultation