Shared streets — Local authority may designate nonarterial highway — Central business district — Pedestrians, bicyclists, operators of micromobility devices — Annual report.
RCW 46.61.197
in effect(1)(a) A local authority may designate a nonarterial highway, except as provided in (b) of this subsection, to be a shared street under this section, if the local authority has developed procedures for establishing shared streets. (b) Nonarterial highways that are state highways may not be designated shared streets unless they are the primary roads through a central business district. For the purposes of this subsection, "central business district" means a downtown or neighborhood commercial area with boundaries defined in the local ordinance designating the shared street. A local authority must consult with the department of transportation and obtain the department's approval, consistent with the requirements of RCW 47.24.020 , before establishing a shared street on a state highway. (2) Vehicular traffic traveling along a shared street shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, bicyclist, or operator of a micromobility device on the shared street. (3) A bicyclist or operator of a micromobility device shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on a shared street. (4) Any local authority that designates a nonarterial highway to be a shared street as provided by this section must post an annual report on the local authority's website of the number of traffic accidents, including those that involve a pedestrian, bicyclist, or operator of a micromobility device, that occurred on the designated shared street. The report must also include the number of speeding violations and driving under the influence violations that occurred on the designated shared street. (5) For purposes of this section: (a) "Micromobility device" means personal or shared nonmotorized scooters, "motorized foot scooters" as defined in RCW 46.04.336 , and "electric personal assistive mobility devices" (EPAMD) as defined in RCW 46.04.1695 ; and (b) "Shared street" means a city street designated by placement of official traffic control devices where pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicular traffic share a portion or all of the same street.
(1)(a) A local authority may designate a nonarterial highway, except as provided in (b) of this subsection, to be a shared street under this section, if the local authority has developed procedures for establishing shared streets.
(b) Nonarterial highways that are state highways may not be designated shared streets unless they are the primary roads through a central business district. For the purposes of this subsection, "central business district" means a downtown or neighborhood commercial area with boundaries defined in the local ordinance designating the shared street. A local authority must consult with the department of transportation and obtain the department's approval, consistent with the requirements of RCW 47.24.020 , before establishing a shared street on a state highway.
(2) Vehicular traffic traveling along a shared street shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, bicyclist, or operator of a micromobility device on the shared street.
(3) A bicyclist or operator of a micromobility device shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on a shared street.
(4) Any local authority that designates a nonarterial highway to be a shared street as provided by this section must post an annual report on the local authority's website of the number of traffic accidents, including those that involve a pedestrian, bicyclist, or operator of a micromobility device, that occurred on the designated shared street. The report must also include the number of speeding violations and driving under the influence violations that occurred on the designated shared street.
(5) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Micromobility device" means personal or shared nonmotorized scooters, "motorized foot scooters" as defined in RCW 46.04.336 , and "electric personal assistive mobility devices" (EPAMD) as defined in RCW 46.04.1695 ; and
(b) "Shared street" means a city street designated by placement of official traffic control devices where pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicular traffic share a portion or all of the same street.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026