SB 5595, from Sen. Emily Alvarado (D–West Seattle), expands city authority to designate any nonarterial highway as a “shared street,” defined as a city street where pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicular traffic share a portion or all of the same street.

Cities may establish a 10-mph speed limit on a shared street.

If a city or town designates part of a roadway as a shared street, certain traffic provisions no longer apply on those portions of the street, specifically those governing when pedestrians can walk along and cross roadways, when vehicles pass pedestrians and bicyclists, and operating requirements for bicycles.

Please contact AWC staff with your city’s or town’s feedback on the bill.

Date to remember

SB 5581 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee on Monday, February 10 at 4 pm.