Committee bans most motorized vehicles from bike lanes and bikeways, with limited exceptions
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Summary
CB71 was advanced to prohibit motorized vehicles from operating in bike lanes, bikeways and sidewalks except for authorized emergency vehicles, transit and limited loading/unloading exceptions; the committee approved the bill as drafted and it will move to full council.
The TIE Committee voted Thursday to move forward with a measure that prohibits most motorized vehicles from operating in bike lanes, bikeways and sidewalks while preserving narrow exceptions for authorized emergency vehicles, transit vehicles and limited loading/unloading under set conditions.
Council Chair Olsen sponsored CB71. The bill reorganized existing vehicle and parking code language and added a clear prohibition to protect bicyclists and micromobility riders from being forced into travel lanes when bike lanes are blocked by motor vehicles.
Advocates for the bill, including the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, said clear code language will help enforcement and improve safety for riders. Seth Grimes of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association told the committee, “Bike lanes reduce accidents by up to 49%, but only when they are clear and useful.”
The bill’s draft includes a $50 fine for prohibited use (proposed draft reduced or removed an earlier increased fine in a later technical draft adopted by the committee) and retains exemptions for emergency, school and transit operations to avoid impeding essential services.
The committee voted 5–0 to forward CB71 as amended to the full council.