SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/bike-sidewalk-pedestrian-rules

In Washington, when you ride your bike on a sidewalk, whose rights and duties do you have?

A pedestrian's.

Start playing free

  1. A pedestrian's ✔
  2. A car driver's
  3. A motorcycle rider's

Why: On the road, a bike rider follows driver rules. On a sidewalk or crosswalk, Washington treats the rider like a pedestrian, so walkers' rules apply. Some cities ban sidewalk riding, so check local rules.

Huh, didn't know that: Florida's law says the same thing about sidewalks and crosswalks.

The dad joke
My bike rode on the sidewalk and started acting like a pedestrian. It was just going through a phase.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: A pedestrian's. On the road, a bike rider follows driver rules. On a sidewalk or crosswalk, Washington treats the rider like a pedestrian, so walkers' rules apply. Some cities ban sidewalk riding, so check local rules.

  1. RCW 46.61.755 Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.755
    upon a sidewalk or crosswalk must be granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to a pedestrian
    Checked 2026-10-12.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Sports & FitnessIn Florida, what must a bike rider on a sidewalk do before passing someone walking?Sports & FitnessIn most states, what does the law give a person riding a bike on the road?Sports & FitnessIn Idaho and Oregon, how far before a turn should a bike rider start signaling?

That's stuff everyone should know.