Transportation (Bicycle Infrastructure)

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2374: Concerning electric-assisted bicycle and electric motorcycle regulation.

HB 2374 clarifies Washington state's definitions for e-bikes and electric motorcycles to address regulatory confusion. It creates three e-bike classes: Class 1 (pedal-assist only up to 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle-only up to 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal-assist up to 28 mph with speedometer). Electric motorcycles are defined as vehicles without operable pedals, exceeding 750W motor power, or providing motor assistance beyond 20 mph without pedal input. The bill directly affects e-bike riders, manufacturers, and law enforcement by establishing clear classification standards for safety and enforcement, while requiring a work group to study enforcement consistency and consumer protections by December 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies e-bike regulations to promote sustainable transportation use, aligning with infrastructure safety and vehicle standardization goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Electric Vehicles

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 6311: Providing for continuous, safe, and accessible pedestrian passage during certain construction projects.

SB 6311 requires construction permittees to maintain continuous, accessible pedestrian pathways during projects in hospital zones (within 300 feet of hospital property), public parks, schools, and other sensitive areas. It prohibits sidewalk closures unless a feasible same-side temporary route cannot be provided, mandating ADA-compliant pathways with physical barriers, lighting, and unobstructed emergency access. Permittees must submit safety plans analyzing accessibility and emergency routes, with enforcement including stop-work orders for violations. The law applies to all local governments and entities performing permitted work in these zones, effective January 2027.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates accessible pedestrian pathways during construction in sensitive areas, enhancing safety and accessibility in transportation infrastructure, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 6110: Addressing electric-assisted bicycles and electric motorcycles.

SB 6110 defines three classes of electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) in Washington State, setting speed limits (20 mph for Classes 1 and 2, 28 mph for Class 3) and requiring a 750-watt motor limit. It explicitly excludes vehicles that can exceed 20 mph on electric power alone. The bill also creates a work group tasked with studying regulatory frameworks for electric motorcycles (a category currently lacking state rules), focusing on definitions, registration, licensing, safety rules, and consumer disclosures. The work group must submit recommendations by December 2027. This legislation establishes definitions for e-bikes and initiates a study process for electric motorcycles, directly affecting riders, manufacturers, and future regulatory development.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDefines e-bike safety standards (speed limits, motor limits) and creates regulatory framework for electric motorcycles, promoting safe, sustainable transportation options within vehicle regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Electric Vehicles

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2095: Protecting vulnerable users of public ways.

HB 2095 creates new legal protections for vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) in designated areas like sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. It requires law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges to complete training on negligent driving involving these users by 2027-2028. The bill establishes a legal presumption of negligence when a vulnerable user is injured or killed in a designated area, shifting the burden to vehicle operators to prove they weren't negligent. Plaintiffs can recover actual damages, $1,500 in statutory damages, and attorney fees, with punitive damages possible for repeat offenders.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes legal presumption of negligence for vehicle operators when vulnerable users are harmed, enhancing road safety standards for pedestrians/cyclists in designated areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5581: Implementing safe system approach strategies for active transportation infrastructure.

Senate Bill 5581 aims to enhance safety and expand active transportation infrastructure across Washington state. The bill requires state and local agencies to incorporate facilities like trails and shared-use paths for pedestrians, equestrians, and bicyclists into highway planning and construction, ensuring connectivity and providing alternatives if existing paths are impacted. It authorizes the Department of Transportation and local governments to expend funds for planning, establishing, and maintaining these facilities. Additionally, the legislation defines "roundabout" and updates the definition of "crosswalk" within state law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates integration of pedestrian/bike infrastructure into highway planning and authorizes funding for active transportation projects, advancing sustainable mobility infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1405: Reducing the requirements of complete streets obligations for transportation projects.

HB 1405 reduces requirements for "complete streets" in Washington state transportation projects by exempting smaller projects and routine maintenance from previously mandated pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure. Specifically, it excludes projects under $500,000, chip sealing, repairs, and repaving from needing sidewalks, bike lanes, or accessibility features. The bill also adds an exception allowing the transportation department to skip these requirements if facilities don’t exist for "justifiable reasons," such as safety concerns or unreasonable costs. This change applies to state highway projects starting design after July 1, 2022, while maintaining existing obligations for larger projects.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationReduces mandates for pedestrian/bike infrastructure in smaller projects, weakening complete streets requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1772: Establishing shared streets.

HB 1772 establishes "shared streets" in Washington state, where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles share the same roadway space. Local governments can designate nonarterial streets as shared streets using official traffic signs, requiring vehicles to yield to pedestrians and cyclists while cyclists must yield to pedestrians. The bill also allows local authorities to set a 10 mph speed limit specifically on designated shared streets without needing an engineering study. This directly affects local governments (which can designate these streets), pedestrians, cyclists, micromobility device users (like e-scooters), and drivers navigating these shared spaces.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes pedestrian/cyclist safety through shared streets and 10 mph speed limits, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5595: Establishing shared streets.

Senate Bill 5595 allows local authorities to designate certain nonarterial highways as "shared streets," which are areas where pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles share the roadway. On these designated streets, vehicular traffic must yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and micromobility devices, and bicyclists/micromobility users must yield to pedestrians. The bill also permits local authorities to establish a maximum speed limit of 10 miles per hour on shared streets without requiring an engineering study. Additionally, local authorities must publish annual reports on traffic accidents, speeding, and DUI violations occurring on these shared streets.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes pedestrian/bike safety via yield rules and 10mph limits, aligning with sustainable transportation goals and road safety improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1992: Implementing safe system approach strategies for active transportation infrastructure.

HB 1992 requires Washington state and local governments to integrate pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian infrastructure into highway planning and construction. It mandates preserving existing trails when highways are built, providing replacement routes if trails are severed, and incorporating active transportation facilities into highway designs where they align with adopted plans. The bill directly affects state and local transportation agencies, highway planners, and trail users by changing how infrastructure projects must consider non-motorized travel. Key mechanisms include amending highway codes to prioritize trail connections, requiring safety-focused traffic control at trail crossings, and authorizing funding for trail maintenance from existing transportation budgets.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes active transportation infrastructure (walking/biking), reducing vehicle emissions and pollution. Aligns with environmental protection goals by decreasing car dependency and supporting sustainable mobility.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates integration of pedestrian/bike infrastructure into highway planning, preserving trails and enhancing active transportation safety per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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