State Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D-43, Capitol Hill, U. District, Wallingford), a daily bike commuter, is introducing legislation that would regulate passing distances between bikes and cars, and the dynamic between bikes and pedestrians on sidewalks, to make drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to help raise awareness.

"Part of the attempt in this bill is to signal it's the responsibility of everybody using the roadway to take care to avoid collisions," he said. "Part of of the point here is to just bring attention to the issue."

Pedersen said if his bill passes he doesn't expect "police are going to be out there with a yard stick" issuing citations, but would help raise awareness as more people use bikes or walk as a means of transportation. He says he bikes every day from Capitol Hill to his law offices in Downtown Seattle.

"It's astounding to me how many times people will whiz by me at 35 or 40 miles per hour, thinking that if they haven't hit my handlebars they've passed at a safe distance," Pedersen said. "If they're not leaving enough space, there's going to be an accident."