Can I ride my bike on the interstate in Washington state? Here’s what law says
When it comes to driving on the highway, the rules for drivers and motorcylists are clear. What about bicyclists?
In April, a cyclist was injured on Interstate 5 south of Bellingham, McClatchy Media previously reported.
The 50-year-old Bellingham man was riding his bicycle on the shoulder of northbound I-5 on April 21 when two cars collided behind him, the Washington State Patrol said in an incident report. One of the vehicles veered into the guardrail before striking the cyclist.
Is cycling on the interstate legal? Are there any restrictions on where you can ride?
Here’s what to know:
Can cyclists ride on the interstate in Washington state?
Under Washington law, cyclists are allowed to ride on the highway or interstate as long as they follow the rules of the road.
“Bicyclists may use the right shoulder of limited access highways except where prohibited,” the Revised Code of Washington says.
Limited access highways are roads without intersections “that have been built to allow traffic to move more freely,” trucking company Go Freight said. “These roads include interstates and freeways that connect major cities, as well as state highways that connect smaller towns and cities.
“When riding on a roadway, a bicyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle drivers,” the Washington Department of Transportation said.
Just like motorists, “Bicyclists who violate traffic laws may be ticketed,” the state agency said.
Are there restrictions for cyclists on the freeway?
Washington state has more than 900 miles of designated U.S. bicycle routes, including “interstate long-distance cycling routes that direct bicyclists along the shoulder of low-traffic roads and highways,” according to the Washington Department of Transportation
The Washington Department of Transportation lists U.S. bicycle routes on its website.
However, riding bicycles is restricted on some sections of roadways.
In the Bellingham area, cycling is prohibited on I-5 between the Samish Way interchange and the Northwest Road interchange.
You can find an interactive map showing permanent bike restrictions on highways in Washington state on the state transportation agency’s website.
Riding your bike on the interstate can be challenging due to varying shoulder widths, busy interchanges and other factors.
“If you’re a seasoned rider with a well-developed sense of situational awareness and you want to take the shortest, fastest route available, the freeway might be your solution,” Rules of the Road columnist Doug Dahl wrote in 2019. “Just be aware that even though the risks are few and far apart, the stakes are high.”
Can I ride my ATV on the highway?
You can ride your ATV on the highway in Washington state as long as it’s licensed as a wheeled all-terrain vehicle and meets certain safety requirements, McClatchy Media previously reported.
In Washington state, you can “operate a wheeled all-terrain vehicle upon any public roadway of this state, not including non-highway roads and trails” with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, according to the Revised Code of Washington.
However, it’s illegal to operate a wheeled ATV on a state highway unless you’re on a segment that’s “within the limits of a city or town,” state law says.
A county can similarly adopt an ordinance “approving the operation of wheeled all-terrain vehicles on that segment,” the Revised Code of Washington says.
Counties, cities and towns can prohibit wheeled ATV riders “from crossing a public roadway with a speed limit of 60 mph or less “at specific intersections or along the entirety of the route within the jurisdiction,” the Revised Code of Washington says.
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 8:36 AM with the headline "Can I ride my bike on the interstate in Washington state? Here’s what law says."