Council hears first reading of ordinance to regulate electric motorcycles

The Enumclaw City Council on June 22 heard the first reading of Ordinance No. 2839, which would create a new municipal code chapter to regulate electric motorcycles and similar high-powered electric vehicles.

The city clerk read the ordinance title by title. In a staff report, the police chief told council that high-powered electric dirt bikes and similar vehicles have increasingly been operated on public streets, sidewalks and multiuse trails and that the current municipal code does not clearly address those vehicles.

Staff said complaints include unsafe speeds in residential neighborhoods, sidewalk operation, noise concerns, and near-miss incidents with pedestrians. The proposed ordinance would define electric motorcycles (distinguishing them from e-bikes and mopeds by power, speed and design), restrict their operation on sidewalks, parks and multiuse trails unless specifically authorized, require helmets and lighting consistent with state law for roadway use, and set operator requirements such as valid driver’s license and age minimums. Enforcement tools in the staff presentation included warnings, citations, vehicle impoundment and misdemeanor classifications for repeat or egregious violations.

Staff noted state-level work is under way: passage of Senate Bill 6110 (transcript reference) directs a Department of Licensing work group to develop state regulations with a due date of October 2027; the proposed municipal language is intended to complement state law and address local enforcement gaps in the interim.

This was a first reading; the council did not adopt the ordinance on June 22 and may propose amendments at the second reading. Councilmembers were reminded the ordinance can be revised before final action.