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Enumclaw council holds first reading of ordinance to regulate electric motorcycles
Summary
Council held a first reading of Ordinance No. 2839 to define and regulate electric motorcycles after staff described safety risks from high-powered electric dirt bikes; the measure would restrict sidewalks, require licensing and safety equipment, and create enforcement penalties. Second reading expected before adoption.
Enumclaw's City Council held a first reading of Ordinance No. 2839 on June 22, 2026, proposing new municipal rules for electric motorcycles after staff said the vehicles are increasingly operated on streets, sidewalks and multi-use trails.
Police Chief (speaker 11) told the council staff has received resident complaints about unsafe speeds, sidewalk operation, noise and near-miss incidents. "Staff have received complaints from residents regarding unsafe speeds in residential neighborhoods, operation on sidewalks and pedestrian pathways, noise concerns... and near miss incidents involving pedestrians and vehicles," the Chief said during the staff report. The ordinance, read by the city clerk by title, would establish a distinct definition for electric motorcycles, separating them from e-bikes and mopeds based on power, speed and design.
The proposed code would prohibit operation on sidewalks, parks and multi-use trails unless specifically authorized, limit where the vehicles may operate on public roadways, require helmets and lighting consistent with state law, set minimum equipment and safety standards for roadway use, and impose misdemeanor infractions and other enforcement options including warnings, citations and vehicle impoundment for repeat or egregious cases. The staff report referenced recent state legislation (identified in the record as "gross substitute senate bill 6110") and said the city attorney reviewed the draft for consistency with state statutes.
City staff recommended council adopt the new municipal chapter to provide clarity for riders and law enforcement and to reduce public-safety risks posed by high-powered electric motorcycles. Council members were reminded this was the ordinance's first reading; several councilmembers noted that additional comments and edits may be offered before second reading and final action.
Because this was a first reading, the council did not vote to adopt the ordinance. The council may consider amendments and a second reading at a subsequent meeting before any final adoption vote.
