Mill Creek council hears new enforcement plan for electric motorcycles after residents report dangerous riding

Residents told the Mill Creek City Council on Tuesday that electric motorcycles and powerful e-bicycles are riding recklessly in neighborhoods and on sidewalks, prompting the council and police to outline stepped-up enforcement, education and ordinance work. Jay Rowe, a longtime resident, told the council he and his wife have been threatened and nearly struck by riders performing wheelies and speeding on sidewalks and streets. "If you see something, you say something," Rowe said, asking the council to pursue Bothell-style rules and to explain enforcement and liability.

The city’s police leadership said officers will apply existing state law while the city develops additional local tools. "Under the definition of a motorcycle, there is no real — if it's combustion motor or an electric motor, it doesn't change anything," Chief White said, citing the Revised Code of Washington and telling the council that motorcycle operation requires a license and endorsement from the Department of Licensing and certain safety equipment such as mirrors and lights.

Why it matters: Residents described repeated, near-miss incidents involving juveniles and powerful electric motorcycles near parks and sidewalks. Council members and police said the problem involves gaps in public understanding — families buying vehicles that riders then operate like motorcycles — and limits in current enforcement tools for younger riders.

What police told the council: Chief White and traffic staff said officers should follow RCW motorcycle statutes now and that the department has prepared a warning packet for first contacts. The department will record second contacts in its records management system and may issue infractions or criminal citations for violations, including operating without a license. Officers reported nine contacts during a recent enforcement day; one e‑bicycle was impounded and later retrieved by a parent, the chief said. Police said they are also launching an education push via social media and want community members to call when they observe violations so officers can respond quickly.

Timeline and next steps: Chief White and the deputy director said staff are reviewing city ordinances, including an existing ordinance numbered 10-28 that addresses scooters, and they expect to return to council with proposed ordinance language and recommendations by Sept. 23. Council members urged targeted outreach to middle schools, parent–teacher associations and insurance agencies and asked for increased patrol presence at park loops and other recurring hotspots. "On a second (contact) we have other means of dealing with... issuing infractions, issuing citations," Chief White said. He asked residents to report incidents promptly so officers can get on scene.

Community reactions and council direction: Council members praised the department’s traffic unit and urged immediate educational outreach to parents and schools. Council member Duque described conversations with parents who believed certain vehicles were legal because they were sold online and appeared to meet a perceived speed threshold. Council member Paddock told the public the city will coordinate with resource officers and PTAs; others asked for heavier enforcement at parks where riders appear to circle and race.

What remains unresolved: Police and the council did not adopt a new ordinance at the meeting; the Sept. 23 staff report was presented as the next formal step. Questions about parental legal liability in crashes and insurance determinations were left to courts and insurers, the chief said, and the city cannot promise immediate removal of all unsafe riders without on-scene officers.

Ending: The council encouraged residents to call 911 when they see dangerous behavior and to report non-emergencies to dispatch so police can target enforcement and education in hotspots. The police said they will continue public messaging and return with ordinance recommendations in the coming weeks.