I’ve seen intrepid commuters pedaling their way over the flats on Highway 529 between Everett and Marysville.
I’ve even given a thumbs up to the ubercyclists gutting their way over Stevens Pass on U.S. 2.
But bicycles on the interstate?
I didn’t realize that was allowed until I saw a sign near Olympia (and then other spots) telling cyclists to exit.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has a website that lists where you can and can’t bike when it comes to state highways. The “Washington State Highways Closed to Bicycles” page is at www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/closed.htm.
There, you’ll find a link to an interactive Google map. The red lines mean no cycling. Purple means trails are nearby. Blue marks alternate routes.
Much of urban Puget Sound is off-limits. No portion of I-405 is open to bikes, for example.
But south of Olympia, you’re largely home free on I-5 until you hit Vancouver.
You can bike on I-90, too, from Issaquah to Spokane (except for a temporary detour just east of Snoqualmie Pass due to construction).
In Snohomish County, I-5 is off-limits to bicyclists until you hit Marysville. From there, you can pedal all the way up to Mount Vernon before you have to get off and take a short detour.
Have a question? Email us at streetsmarts@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.