Police outlined an education‑first approach and potential legal enforcement for unlicensed electric motorcycles and powerful e‑bicycles during the Mill Creek City Council meeting, saying officers will distribute an information sheet, record contacts in the department’s system and escalate to citations or impoundments for repeat offenders. Chief White said the department had made nine recent contacts, educating riders and parents, and that one e‑bicycle had been impounded as found property. Council members urged stronger outreach to parents and schools and asked that residents call dispatch when incidents occur so officers can respond quickly.

The police presentation focused on distinguishing pedal‑assist e‑bicycles from self‑propelled e‑motorcycles under Washington law. Chief White told the council that definitions in the Revised Code of Washington separate pedal‑assisted bikes — which require pedals and have motors designed to assist pedaling — from motorcycles, which are self‑propelled and subject to motorcycle equipment and operator requirements. The chief and traffic staff noted that higher‑power e‑bikes commonly seen in the city (about 1,500–2,000 watts) can exceed 25 mph and behave like motorcycles on streets.

Why it matters: council members said many parents told them they believed purchasing an item available at retail made it legal; councilor Duque and others urged the police to coordinate outreach through schools and PTAs. Some residents at the meeting urged an immediate visible enforcement presence at parks where youth ride in circles, saying flyers and social media outreach alone may not deter behavior they described as dangerous.

What police said they would do: Chief White and traffic staff described a two‑track approach: public education via social media and informational handouts to riders and parents, and recordkeeping to identify repeat offenders who may receive citations or have vehicles impounded. The department said it is reviewing orders and may return to council with ordinance recommendations; staff indicated a target date of September 23 to pursue any formal changes.

Council and resident concerns: Council members asked whether sellers ask for proof of a license at point of sale; staff said many vehicles are available online or at retailers without consistent checks and suggested the legislature could clarify retail responsibilities. Council members also asked about insurance and whether impounded e‑bikes had been reclaimed by parents; the police said parents retrieved the nine vehicles contacted during the recent operation, and only the one impounded e‑bicycle noted earlier was processed as found property. A councilor asked staff to clarify whether insurance requirements differ for motorcycles and e‑bikes; police recommended outreach to insurance providers to educate customers.

Scope and limits: Police stressed that enforcement is constrained by state definitions in the RCW and that some issues — for example, whether a particular vehicle is legally a bicycle or a motorcycle — depend on those statutory definitions. Staff repeatedly asked community members to call 911 (or the non‑emergency number when appropriate) to report incidents so officers can respond promptly.

The meeting included multiple requests for schools and PTAs to distribute information to parents, and at least one councilor volunteered to help coordinate materials. No new ordinance was adopted at the meeting; council members asked staff to return with recommendations and possible draft language if needed.