Summer is here, and with it comes warmer temperatures, longer days, and more residents on bikes and scooters on City sidewalks, paths, and streets.
If you’re heading out on a ride around town using popular e-bikes and e-scooters, it’s important to understand Snoqualmie’s electrical bicycle and scooter laws to protect both you and those who are sharing the streets, sidewalks, and trails with you.
Legal Electric Wheeled Recreational Devices
- Electric bikes 750 watts or below
Check the bicycle for information regarding make, model, and specifications. Bikes that are 2018 and newer are required to have class number, top assisted speed, and wattage labeled on the bike itself. This will help you determine if the bike is legal. - Class 1 and 2 electric bicycles
These e-bikes stop assisting propulsion at 20 mph. Class 1 motors provide assistance when the rider is pedaling. Class 2 motors can also be used exclusively to propel the bicycle. - Class 3 electric bicycles
These e-bikes provide assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stop when the bicycle reaches 28 mph. They also have speedometers. These e-bikes have special rules, including that a rider must be 16 or older. They cannot be used on shared-use paths, sidewalks (unless there is no other alternative), or on trails designated as non-motorized and those with natural surface tread. - E-scooters
Illegal E-bikes
- Electric looking dirt bikes
These electric looking dirt bikes are not legal to operate on any public road, sidewalk, bike lane, park, or trail, even if they have a taillight or blinkers. To be street legal, this type of bike would need a license plate, registration, and insurance; much like a normal motorcycle.
E-bike and E-Scooter Use Laws
- Operators of electric bikes and scooters must follow all rules of the road and may not operate them in a negligent manner upon City streets or property, which is defined as a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property, or obstructs, hinders, or impedes the lawful course of travel of any motor vehicle or the lawful use by any pedestrian of public streets, sidewalks, alleys, parking areas, trails or public parks.
- Helmets, with chin straps securly fastened, are required when wheeled recreational vehicle is in motion.
- Class 3 e-bikes cannot be used on sidewalks unless there is no other alternative.
- Class 3 e-bikes cannot be used on a shared-use path.
- E-bikes and e-scooters cannot be operated on a trail that is specifically designated as non-motorized and that has a natural surface tread.
The City of Snoqualmie, the Snoqualmie Police Department, and the Snoqualmie Fire Department highly recommend and encourage wearing a helmet while riding e-bikes and e-scooters to reduce the risk of head injuries in the event of an accident.
The Snoqualmie Police Department is launching a E-bike and E-scooter Public Education campaign. Follow the City of Snoqualmie and Snoqualmie Police Department social media channels for more information.