It is the policy of the Washington state department of transportation (department) to permit bicycle racing on state highways in accordance with the conditions and regulations set forth in this chapter and the latest edition of the"Washington State Bicycle Racing Guidelines."

Bicycles are defined in RCW 46.04.071. Bicycle racing means any contest of speed or competition conducted on bicycles. Bicycle racing permits riding with more than two riders abreast on a roadway. This chapter applies to all bicycle racing events conducted on state highways, including the following types.

(1) Duathlon, triathlon, or multisport event. Duathlons, triathlons, or multisport events are competitions in which bicycle racing forms an essential component. The bicycle race portion of these events is conducted similar to a time trial.

(2) Time trial. Time trials are events in which individuals or small teams of riders, separately ride the same route and distance for elapsed time. Time trials are generally started at preset intervals and held on an out-and-back or circuit course.

(3) Criterium. Criteriums are massed start, high speed bicycle race events in which riders race around a closed circuit course to compete for order of finish. Criteriums are usually held on closed urban or suburban public streets. The course is normally one-half to one mile long.

(4) Road race. Road races are massed start events in which riders complete a race course for order of finish. The course may be point-to-point, a large circuit, or repeated laps of a shorter circuit. Road races are usually held on rural or suburban roads, but may also utilize urban streets.

(5) Rolling enclosure. A rolling enclosure is a type of traffic control where escort vehicles form an enclosed caravan for the exclusive use of bicyclists, by leading and following a group of racers. The enclosure moves along the roadway in the direction of the race. Racers inside the enclosure are not required to follow the normal rules of the road but are controlled by the rules set forth in the "Washington State Bicycle Racing Guidelines." Racers are not allowed to cross the roadway centerline unless the entire road is traffic controlled. A rolling enclosure is the typical traffic control strategy for a road race.

No bicycle race event may be held on a state highway without an approved bicycle race permit. All persons or organizations (permittee) conducting any form of bicycle race on a state highway shall apply for a bicycle race permit from the applicable department region administrator. The bicycle race permit must be applied for at least sixty days before the bicycle race event. The department region administrator may waive these requirements under special conditions.

(1) Bicycle race permits shall be granted only under conditions that ensure reasonable safety for participants, spectators, and other highway users. Reasonable safety implies that race participants, spectators, and other highway users have been accommodated during the planning process in a manner that minimizes the possibility of placing one highway user in conflict with another.

(2) Bicycle race permit requests must include a race description stating all the pertinent information required to understanding the bicycle race event. The request must include a map showing the roadway on which the race will be held. Applications must specify the number of escort vehicles on the roadway used to conduct the race, starting and anticipated finishing time, maximum number of racers, number and training of course marshals, types of signing, and communications equipment.

(3) Approval of other involved jurisdictions shall be obtained prior to formal issuance of a bicycle race permit from the department.

(4) If the race only crosses a state highway, the department region administrator may waive the need for a bicycle race permit provided the permittee can show that reasonable traffic control and safety are provided by the organizer and other road authority: Provided further, That the permittee provide the indemnification and liability insurance prescribed in subsections (6) and (7) of this section.

(5) Bicycle racing will not normally be allowed on the Interstate Highway System.

(6) The permittee shall indemnify, defend and save harmless the state of Washington for any claim, suit, action for injuries, death or any other cause of personal injury or property damage arising from the issuance of a bicycle race permit, including claims of race participants, pedestrians, or other roadway users.

(7) The permittee shall obtain liability insurance in an amount no less than two million dollars to cover the state of Washington for any and all liabilities, including all costs, attorney fees, judgments or other expenses, arising from the use of state highways for the bicycle race event. The state shall be named as an additional insured on all insurance policies. When motor vehicles participate during the event, liability insurance for those vehicles is also required.

(8) When five or more vehicles are lined up behind a bicycle race and delayed for more than five minutes, the bicycle race shall be neutralized at a place of safety to allow the delayed vehicles to pass.

(9) Requests for bicycle race permits must comply with the latest edition of the department's "Washington State Bicycle Racing Guidelines."

(10) The original or certified copy of the permit must be available at the bicycle race for the duration of the bicycle race event.

The "Washington State Bicycle Racing Guidelines" may be obtained from the department's website.