Council hears first reading of electric‑motorcycle ordinance to limit sidewalk and trail use

The Enumclaw City Council heard the first reading of Ordinance No. 2839 on June 22, a proposed municipal code chapter to define and regulate electric motorcycles and clarify where the vehicles may be lawfully operated.

City staff described a regulatory gap: the municipal code does not currently distinguish electric motorcycles — including high-powered electric dirt bikes — from e-bikes and mopeds, creating enforcement uncertainty when those vehicles are ridden on streets, sidewalks and multi‑use trails.

The police chief, presenting the staff report, said the city has received resident complaints about unsafe speeds, operation on sidewalks and near‑miss incidents with pedestrians. The chief said the proposed ordinance would define electric motorcycles by power and design, prohibit operation on sidewalks, parks and multi‑use trails unless expressly authorized, require helmets and lighting, and impose enforcement options including warnings, citations and impoundment for repeat or egregious cases.

Staff noted a related state process: the transcript references ‘‘gross substitute senate bill 61 10’’ and said a Department of Licensing work group has an October 2027 timeline for state regulations; staff said the city ordinance is intended to complement, not conflict with, eventual state rules.

This was a first reading; no adoption vote was recorded. Council members were reminded they may comment further at second reading. The city attorney’s office reviewed the draft language, according to the staff report. The record shows staff recommended adoption to enhance public-safety clarity and give law enforcement consistent enforcement tools.