Council holds first reading on ordinance to regulate electric motorcycles

The Enumclaw City Council held a first reading on ordinance 2,839 on June 22, 2026, aimed at regulating electric motorcycles.

The city clerk read the ordinance title by staff request as a first reading. The Chief presented the staff report, saying the municipal code does not currently distinguish electric motorcycles from e‑bikes or mopeds and that a regulatory gap has created enforcement uncertainty. He described complaints about unsafe speeds, sidewalk usage, noise and near misses involving pedestrians.

The proposed ordinance would define electric motorcycles by power output, speed capability and design, and would distinguish that class from e‑bikes and mopeds. It would prohibit operation on sidewalks, parks and multi‑use trails unless specifically authorized, require helmets consistent with state law, mandate lighting and minimum safety equipment for roadway use, and impose licensing and operator age requirements for roadway operation. The ordinance also outlines enforcement options including warnings, citations, impoundment and misdemeanor classifications for repeat or egregious violations.

The staff presentation referenced recent state action and directed the council to a Department of Licensing work group expected to develop state regulations by October 2027; staff said the city attorney had reviewed the draft to ensure consistency with state law. Because this was a first reading, councilmembers may offer further edits at the second reading.

No vote on final adoption occurred on June 22; the ordinance proceeds to subsequent readings.