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Council holds first reading of electric‑motorcycle ordinance to clarify local rules
Summary
City staff told the Enumclaw City Council on June 22 that Ordinance No. 2839 would define and regulate electric motorcycles — distinguishing them from e‑bikes and mopeds, limiting sidewalk and trail operation, setting helmet and equipment requirements, and establishing enforcement penalties — as a complement to pending state rulemaking.
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 where those vehicles may be lawfully operated.
The Police Chief told the council that high‑powered electric motorcycles and similar off‑road devices have increasingly been operated on public streets, sidewalks and multi‑use trails and that the Enumclaw Municipal Code currently does not distinguish electric motorcycles from e‑bikes or mopeds. "This regulatory gap creates ambiguity for riders, law enforcement, and the community regarding where and how these vehicles may be lawfully operated," the Chief said in the staff report.
Staff outlined key components of the draft ordinance: a clear definition of "electric motorcycle" based on power output and speed capability; restrictions on operation on sidewalks, parks and multi‑use trails unless specifically authorized; requirements that vehicles meet minimum safety equipment and lighting if used on roadways; helmet and licensing expectations aligned with state law; age restrictions for certain operations; and graduated enforcement measures including warnings, citations, and vehicle impoundment for repeat or egregious offenses. The Chief said the city attorney reviewed the language to ensure consistency with state statutes and that staff recommended adoption of the ordinance at a future council reading.
The staff report referenced recent state legislation and described a Department of Licensing work group with an October 2027 target for state rulemaking; staff framed the municipal ordinance as complementary to — not in conflict with — expected state guidance. The council did not vote on the ordinance (first reading only); the mayor reminded members that additional comments and amendments may be offered at the second reading.
Councilmembers and staff framed the measure as an effort to reduce public‑safety risks and to provide clearer enforcement options for juvenile or unlicensed operators and high‑speed riders. The ordinance, if adopted at a later reading, would create local authority to prohibit operation in specified areas and to establish equipment and operator requirements.
