Enumclaw holds first reading of ordinance to regulate electric motorcycles

The Enumclaw City Council read Ordinance No. 2839 by title and heard a staff report proposing a new municipal chapter to regulate electric motorcycles.

The city clerk read the ordinance title, and the department chief gave the staff presentation, saying electric motorcycles, including high-powered dirt bikes, “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 told council the municipal code currently lacks a specific category for these vehicles, creating ambiguity for law enforcement and the community.

Staff said the proposed ordinance would define electric motorcycles separately from e‑bikes and mopeds based on power, speed capability and design, restrict their use in parks, sidewalks and multi‑use trails unless specifically authorized, require helmets consistent with state law, require lighting and safety equipment for roadway operation, set operator requirements (including a valid driver’s license for roadway operation) and establish enforcement options ranging from warnings to citations and vehicle impoundment for repeat or egregious cases. The chief said the city attorney reviewed the language to ensure consistency with state statutes and that the Public Safety Committee recommended approval for council consideration.

The staff report referenced recent state action that will guide future rulemaking: the passage of a Senate substitute bill that directs the Department of Licensing to establish definitions and guidance for electric motorcycles with a due date in October 2027. Staff framed the ordinance as complementary to state work and designed to reduce enforcement ambiguity and public-safety risk in Enumclaw.

This was a first reading; council may propose amendments at second reading before any final vote. No final action to adopt the ordinance occurred at this meeting.