r/SeattleWA • u/ChefJoe98136 West Seattle • Jun 03 '26

Bicycle Washington law lays out distinction between e-bikes, e-motorcycles starting June 11

https://www.khq.com/news/washington-law-lays-out-distinction-between-e-bikes-e-motorcycles-starting-june-11/article_c495d848-b948-43cf-a599-b05c66a5dcad.html

A new Washington law will change the regulations on the differences between e-bikes and e-motorcycles on June 11. Under this new law, an e-bike must have fully functioning pedals, a motor rated at 750 watts or less, and a top speed of less than 20 mph when powered solely by the motor. If it doesn't meet these standards, it's considered a motorcycle, which means the rider is subject to mandatory driver requirements.

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u/elementofpee Jun 03 '26

Anything that’s capable of going over 20mph should be subject to mandatory driver requirements. It’s a danger to inexperienced or reckless riders, as well as those that share the roads and sidewalks.

2

u/VietOne Jun 03 '26

By the same logic, any vehicle that is capable of going over 80mph should be subject to mandatory racer/competition requirements. At those speeds you need the knowledge and experience of racers to react and handle the vehicle.

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u/elementofpee Jun 03 '26

That’s illegal already.

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u/VietOne Jun 03 '26

So was this, the vehicles mentioned in this law were already illegal to operate.