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Enumclaw council holds first reading on electric-motorcycle ordinance to address safety and enforcement
Summary
On June 22 the Enumclaw City Council held a first reading of Ordinance 2839 to define and restrict electric motorcycles in city code, citing safety complaints about high-powered e-motorbikes on sidewalks and trails; staff recommended the ordinance and noted pending state-level rulemaking.
Enumclaw — The City Council on June 22 took up the first reading of Ordinance 2839, a proposed municipal code chapter to define and regulate electric motorcycles after staff reported growing safety and enforcement concerns.
The city’s Police Chief said staff have received resident complaints about high-powered electric dirt bikes and similar vehicles operating on streets, sidewalks and multiuse trails and described a regulatory gap in Enumclaw Municipal Code. “These vehicles are often marketed as recreational or off-road use devices, but are frequently operated on public streets, sidewalks, and multi use trails within city limits,” the chief said, adding that inconsistent enforcement and public-safety risks have followed.
The proposed ordinance would create a new code chapter distinguishing electric motorcycles from e-bikes and mopeds based on power output, speed capability and design. It would prohibit operation on sidewalks, parks and multiuse trails unless explicitly authorized, require helmets and lighting consistent with state law for roadway use, set operator requirements (including a valid driver’s license and age restrictions where appropriate), establish minimum equipment and safety standards for roadway operation, and create enforcement options ranging from warnings to citations and vehicle impoundment for repeat or egregious violations.
Staff framed the ordinance as complementary to state action. The Police Chief told council that a Department of Licensing work group convened under Substitute Senate Bill 6110 will work on state-level definitions and guidance with a due date of October 2027; the local language is intended to address municipal-level gaps in the interim.
The city clerk read the ordinance by title only for its first reading; no final vote was taken. As the mayor noted, "This is 1st reading, so you can always add some more comments at 2nd reading." The council may return the ordinance for further amendment and a subsequent vote at a later meeting.
Why it matters: Council members and residents raised safety issues tied to neighborhood streets, sidewalks and trails. If adopted, the ordinance would give Enumclaw clearer enforcement authority and a local definition to guide officers until state rules are finalized.
Provenance: Topic introduced at SEG 430 and continued through SEG 511 (title reading and staff report).
