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Granite Falls council adopts ordinance regulating e-bikes and e-scooters
Summary
The City Council on April 15 adopted Ordinance No. 1073-2026, creating Chapter 10.44 of the municipal code to regulate electric-assisted bicycles and motorized foot scooters, including sidewalk limits, helmet requirements for riders under 18, trail rules, parking restrictions and a shared-micromobility permitting framework.
Granite Falls — The City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 1073-2026 on April 15, adding a new Chapter 10.44 to the Granite Falls Municipal Code to regulate electric-assisted bicycles and motorized foot scooters.
City Manager Jeff Balentine summarized the ordinance during the public hearing, saying it adopts state-linked definitions for a three-class e-bike system and for motorized foot scooters (citing RCW 46.04.169 and RCW 46.04.336), prohibits all e-bikes and e-scooters in the downtown commercial zone, allows Class 1 and Class 2 devices on other sidewalks at a maximum of 6 mph, requires helmets for riders under 18, permits Class 1 and 2 on paved city trails at up to 10 mph but prohibits all classes on natural-surface trails, and establishes parking limits, a 72-hour impound authority for obstructive parking, and a city permit requirement for shared micromobility programs tied to insurance and ID standards in RCW 46.61.715.
The council opened the public testimony portion and no one from the audience signed up or spoke; the council then closed the testimony and voted to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember David Griggs moved to open the hearing; Councilmember Steven Glenn seconded the adoption motion, and the ordinance passed on a unanimous roll call (Mayor Matthew Hartman, Councilmembers Tom FitzGerald, Steven Glenn, David Griggs, and Bruce Straughn voted aye).
Why it matters: The ordinance is intended to set consistent rules for device classification, where different classes of electric bicycles and scooters can operate, safety equipment for younger riders, and requirements for shared-service operators. The rules affect downtown pedestrian spaces, multiuse paved trails, and shared-mobility vendors who would need a city permit.
What the ordinance does not specify in the hearing: the transcript records that the ordinance “provid[es] for penalties and an effective date,” but the effective date is not specified in the hearing record. The ordinance also repeals former Chapter 10.90 of the municipal code, as stated in the ordinance text entered into the record.
Next steps: With adoption, the ordinance becomes city law according to its effective date (not specified in the hearing transcript). Implementation details for enforcement and permitting will be handled through city staff processes and any required permit applications by shared-mobility operators.
