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Council reviews first draft of ordinance to regulate e-bikes, scooters and other personal transport devices
Summary
The council received a first reading of a proposed ordinance that would classify personal transportation devices, require helmets for under-18 riders, set a 15 mph limit on multiuse trails, and exclude certain devices from downtown sidewalks and parks; debate focused on Class 3 e-bike access to commuter routes and enforcement/education.
The Anacortes City Council received a first reading of a proposed ordinance that would regulate motorized and nonmotorized personal transportation devices, including e-bikes and motorized scooters.
Police Chief Floyd presented the draft ordinance developed by the Public Safety Committee. The legislation would group personal transportation devices under one chapter, adopt relevant RCW traffic provisions by reference, require helmets for riders under 18, require white front and red rear lights during hours of darkness and limit speeds to 15 mph on multiuse and hard-surface trails. The draft also proposes exclusions: motorized foot scooters and Class 3 electric-assisted bicycles would be unlawful on sidewalks, in parks and on certain downtown sidewalks between 3rd and 9th streets to reduce pedestrian conflicts.
Chief Floyd said enforcement would begin with education and written warnings; the draft includes penalties—a civil infraction structure with escalating fines for repeat offenses—and a mechanism to seize a device used by an underage rider until a responsible adult retrieves it. "Education is always our first avenue to try to address these problems," Floyd said, noting seizure would be reserved for egregious or repeat conduct.
Council members and members of the public focused much of the discussion on whether Class 3 e-bikes (higher-speed e-bikes that can assist up to 28 mph in some definitions) should be allowed on commuter trails such as the Tommy Thompson Trail. Some council members favored a commuter exception for specified trails; others, and some public commenters, worried about pedestrian safety and the difficulty of visually distinguishing classes of e-bikes.
Public commenters urged stronger enforcement and clearer signage; Mary Jo McCardell said she had encountered high-speed vehicles on the Tommy Thompson Trail and recommended excluding Class 3 e-bikes from trails unless there is a designated bike lane. Brian Wetscher asked the council to incorporate specific ACFL (Anacortes Community Forest Lands) trail rules by reference because forest-land trail enforcement differs from urban trails.
The ordinance was not finalized at the meeting. Council members asked staff to clarify definitions (park vs. shared-use trail), consider cross-referencing ACFL rules, return examples of Class 1–3 e-bikes, and provide further analysis on enforcement, signage and education. The committee expects to bring a revised draft back to council for public comment.
