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Mercer Island council adopts ordinance restricting high‑power electric motorcycles, sets fines and impound authority
Summary
The Mercer Island City Council on Sept. 16 adopted an ordinance defining and restricting electric motorcycles, creating fines, an impound authority and a helmet requirement; the rules take effect Jan. 1.
The Mercer Island City Council on Sept. 16 adopted an ordinance that defines “electric motorcycle,” prohibits unlicensed operation on city property, establishes fines for repeat violations and gives police authority to impound vehicles.
City staff said the change responds to an increase in high‑power electric motorcycles and so‑called e‑dirt bikes that staff and officers say are being ridden on sidewalks, paths and in parks and that, in many cases, are being operated by unlicensed juveniles.
Amelia Chaden, management analyst, described the ordinance during the council meeting as creating a local definition and enforcement tools. "The proposed ordinance would adopt a definition for an electric motorcycle. It would prohibit the operation of an e motorcycle by any person who does not have a valid driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement," she said. The ordinance also requires that electric motorcycles display a valid license plate and that operators wear a motorcycle helmet.
Operations Commander Mike Seifert of the Mercer Island Police Department told the council enforcement is currently limited. "We're seeing 12 to 15 year old people ... they're not licensed drivers," Seifert said, describing education and parent notification as the department’s usual responses. He said juvenile cases frequently fall to King County juvenile court, which often declines to pursue standalone infractions absent a linked criminal case.
Under the ordinance’s definition, an electric motorcycle is a vehicle that meets the state motorcycle definition, is powered by an electric motor, lacks fully operable pedals, or has a motor that exceeds 750 watts or continues to power the vehicle after 28 mph. The definition therefore covers purpose‑built e motorcycles and modified e‑bikes whose motors or speeds exceed the thresholds shown in the presentation.
Penalties are set at $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $750 for a third or subsequent offense. The ordinance grants the police department authority to impound e motorcycles; staff said they will develop impound procedures, storage arrangements and cost‑recovery fees before the Jan. 1 effective date. Councilmember Reynolds asked whether impound fees would be cost‑recovery; staff replied that the fee resolution will be designed to recover administrative costs and not be punitive.
Councilmembers praised staff outreach and signaled further work on e‑bike regulations and possible parental‑responsibility clauses. Staff said they will continue an education campaign and coordinate with the Association of Washington Cities on potential state law updates.
The council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 25 C‑24 as presented. The ordinance goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026, and staff will return with administrative procedures, recommended impound and recovery fees and related code updates.
