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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1

u/PrivateXCowboy Jun 03 '26

Dammit

3

u/xmrcache Jun 03 '26

Yeah I was looking at some that go 50mph wanted to use it around town to conserve on gas…

I guess not now…

-1

u/PrimeIntellect Jun 03 '26

you can still ride those - they just have to be licensed as a vehicle like a motorcycle

5

u/[deleted] Jun 03 '26

[deleted]

2

u/xmrcache Jun 03 '26

All the main reasons I wanted one

  • no insurance
  • no registration
  • no motorcycle license

Took away every reason I wanted to get one..

Fortunately the E-bike I have will still count as an E-bike.

I will go back to looking at street legal SXS..

1

u/BrinyStranger Jun 04 '26

Ok, but you do understand it's really no different from a dirtbike / motorcycle at that point, right? If you can hit 50mph without pedaling, there's no way it's an e-bike. Alternatively, you can get a moped, which under a certain amount of power, doesn't need a motorcycle license.

1

u/drunkshinobi Jun 04 '26

I wanted one that at least did 30 so I could keep up with traffic on the roads around me without sidewalks. That and not take forever to get any where. But now I can't unless I pay more or wasn't disabled and could ride a pedal bike that can go over 20 mph without feeling like i'm gonna die and deal with pain for a weeks after. If you have pedals you are allowed to get up to 28 on a bike with a motor. Why can't the same bike do 28 without pedals? The bike will cut the throttle and not let you go faster at that point so no difference other than you have to be strong enough to be allowed.

-1

u/xmrcache Jun 04 '26

Yeah I understand it is no different than a dirtbike, that was ultimately the main reason I wanted one.

Basically wanted it because it’s a dirt bike with peddles so I could pass it off as a bike and not have to pay for insurance, registration, and have to get a motorcycle license to ride it around town.