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Enumclaw council holds first reading of ordinance to regulate electric motorcycles
Summary
City staff presented Ordinance No. 2839 to define and regulate electric motorcycles, restricting sidewalk and trail use, requiring helmets and safety equipment, and establishing enforcement penalties; it was introduced for first reading and will return for further council consideration.
Enumclaw city staff presented the first reading of Ordinance No. 2839 on June 22, proposing a new municipal code chapter to define and regulate electric motorcycles and to clarify enforcement for vehicles that have been operated on sidewalks and multiuse trails.
The police chief told the council that "staff have received complaints from residents regarding unsafe speeds in residential neighborhoods, operation on sidewalks and pedestrian pathways, [and] noise concerns," and said many operators are juveniles or unlicensed. The staff report says the ordinance would distinguish electric motorcycles from e-bikes and mopeds based on power output and speed capability, require helmets and lighting consistent with state law, set operator requirements including a valid driver's license for roadway use, and establish penalties ranging from warnings to misdemeanor classifications and vehicle impoundment for repeat or egregious violations.
The chief also noted recent state action related to the issue, stating in the staff report that a recent bill (transcript wording: "gross substitute senate bill 61 10") has prompted the Department of Licensing to form a work group to develop state regulations with a due date of October 2027. Staff said the proposed ordinance is intended to complement—not conflict with—state law and that the city attorney's office reviewed the draft language for consistency with applicable statutes.
Council did not take final action; this was the ordinance's first reading, and councilmembers were told they may submit amendments for a subsequent reading. The measure will return to council for additional consideration and a potential vote at a later meeting.
