Originally Posted by
Medic Zero
Yeah, I recall the wording of the law being something like: "bicycles are allowed on the sidewalk as long as they aren't a danger to pedestrians" with some clarification meaning basically that the sidewalk isn't too congested with many pedestrians. I was a courier downtown for a couple of years and every now and then, you'd end up on the sidewalk for a block to get from one place to another, or half a block on the final leg of a journey, never had any problems with the police about it. Seems silly to ride a bike that short of a distance, but a lot of the time you were continuing in the direction you just moved your bike and time was a serious consideration (like having to get a court filing in before court closed for the day), so you needed the bike locked up right outside, not a block away.
The code you speak of is not a an RCW it's actually a WAC
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WAC 308-330-555
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Bicycles—Riding on sidewalks.
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(1) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in a business district.
(2) A person may ride a bicycle on any other sidewalk or any roadway unless restricted or prohibited by traffic control devices.
(3) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian.
For this violation you would most likely be cited for "RCW 46.61.755 Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles." which i think is a $86 fine and then the WAC code would be the reason for the violation
Down in Auburn, WA is $250. And I think its $125 in Kent.
AMC 10.56.185 Helmets.
Everyone riding a bicycle or riding as a passenger on a tandem bicycle or other bicycle equipped to carry two or more riders upon any city of Auburn road, alley, sidewalk, recreational trail or park property shall wear a protective helmet designed for bicycle safety that meets or exceeds the safety standards adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission or set by the American National Standards Institute, or such subsequent nationally recognized standard for bicycle helmet performance as the city may adopt by ordinance. The helmet must be equipped with either a neck strap or chinstrap that shall be fastened securely while the bicycle is in motion. (Ord. 5923 § 1, 2005.)
10.56.210 Violation – Penalty.
Violation of the provisions of this chapter is an infraction, subject to penalties in accordance with ACC 1.25.050, unless otherwise provided herein. (Ord. 5923 § 1, 2005; Ord. 5683 § 29, 2002; Ord. 2753 § 1, 1973; 1957 code § 5.08.240.)
1.25.050 Penalties for infractions.
Unless otherwise specifically provided in connection with particular sections, chapters or titles of the city code, noncriminal violations of the city
code shall be infractions and shall carry a maximum penalty of $250.00. Each day, location, violator and incident shall constitute a separate civil infraction.