Council holds first reading of ordinance to regulate electric motorcycles

The Enumclaw City Council conducted a first reading of Ordinance 2839 on June 22, which would create a new municipal code chapter to define and regulate electric motorcycles. The city clerk read the ordinance title and the Chief (speaker 3) presented the staff report, saying staff had received resident complaints about unsafe speeds and operation on sidewalks and trails and recommended adopting definitions and restrictions. "Staff have received complaints from residents regarding unsafe speeds in residential neighborhoods, operation on sidewalks and pedestrian pathways, [and] near miss incidents involving pedestrians and vehicles," the Chief said.

The draft ordinance would distinguish electric motorcycles from e-bikes and mopeds based on power output and speed capability, prohibit operation on sidewalks, parks and multi-use trails unless authorized, require helmets and lighting for roadway use, set minimum safety equipment standards, and establish penalties ranging from warnings to citation and impoundment for repeat or egregious violations. The Chief noted the proposal was intended to complement state law and referenced a state legislative item and a Department of Licensing work group with an October 2027 due date; this was a first reading and the council did not adopt the ordinance at the meeting.