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.