Seattle Electric Bike Laws

A bicycle is a legal road vehicle just like a car.

Seattle electric bike laws.

Definition of electric bike. New e bike law in washington state takes effect on june 7 2018. In the past seattle had not only banned scooter sharing services from operating in the city but also prohibited user owned electric scooters from traveling in bike lanes and sidewalks. People of all ages and abilities use them.

Washington state electric bike laws definition legal operation. Electric bikes and the law in seattle. Limebike s e bikes have a top speed of about 15 mph and a 250 watt motor. However the city is addressing this issue by working with their transit and bike oversight boards to determine when and where riders can use e scooters and how.

Every person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk or public path shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian thereon and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. In early 2018 the washington state legislature passed sb 6434 establishing a legal framework consistent with national standards and giving the electric bike e bike industry greater certainty in the washington market. Laws to be aware of whether you are biking or driving a motor vehicle bicycle helmets currently there is no state law requiring helmet use. With more people riding bicycles following the rules of the road is especially important.

The law also restricts a bicycle s motor output to no more than 750 watts. Washington state law defines electric bicycles as electric assisted bicycles the e bike must have two or three fully operational pedals for human propulsion the motor must be no more than 750 watts. Seattle has a number of multi use trails. We are sanitized recognized energized organized stylized accessorized and ready for you.

The new law also more clearly defines where e bikes can and cannot be used on bikeways trails and streets. As electric assist bikes become more widely available through bike sharing companies washington state is poised to make some major changes to laws governing the vehicles. This means that bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers.