Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee
HB 1367
Brief Description: Improving motorcycle safety by authorizing the use of the right shoulder of limited access roadways.
Sponsors: Representatives Orcutt, Klicker, Couture, Simmons, Mena, Griffey and Barkis.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Authorizes motorcycles to travel in the right shoulder of a limited access roadway when traffic is stopped or when the average speed of the vehicles on the travel lanes of the limited access roadway is 25 miles per hour or less, subject to certain restrictions.
Hearing Date: 1/22/25
Staff: Jennifer Harris (786-7143).
Background:

Motorcycles may use a full lane or operate two abreast in a single lane on roadways.? Passing is not permitted in the same lane as a vehicle occupied by another vehicle, except where a motorcycle passes a bicyclist or pedestrian while maintaining a safe passing distance of at least 3 feet.?

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A motorcycle may not be operated between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

Summary of Bill:

Motorcycles may travel in the right shoulder of a limited access roadway when traffic is stopped or when the average speed of the vehicles on the travel lanes of the limited access roadway is 25 miles per hour (mph) or less, subject to the following restrictions:

  1. A motorcycle may not occupy a right shoulder at a speed greater than 10 mph faster than the speed of traffic in the lane adjacent to the shoulder.
  2. A motorcycle may not be operated more than one abreast on a right shoulder.
  3. A motorcycle must reenter traffic lanes if the shoulder is occupied by a parked vehicle, emergency vehicle, tow truck, or other vehicle providing roadside assistance.
  4. A motorcycle may not continue to operate on the right shoulder of a limited access roadway when the motorcycle reaches an exit from which the driver can access an alternate route, or can access nearby food or fueling services visible to the driver from the limited access roadway.
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The operator of a motorcycle may not overtake and pass in the same shoulder occupied by the vehicle being overtaken, except that a motorcycle operating on a right shoulder may pass a bicyclist or pedestrian while maintaining a safe passing distance of at least 3 feet.

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.