OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A new state law taking effect this week will formally distinguish e-bikes from electric motorcycles.
Starting on Thursday, June 11, any vehicle that can travel faster than 20 miles per hour without the rider pedaling will no longer be considered an electronically-assisted bike.
E-bikes will also need to have fully operative pedals and can’t have a motor of more than 750 watts.
Vehicles that don’t fall under those new standards will be subject to motorcycle requirements, including a minimum age of 16 to operate.
The bill was sponsored by 42nd District State Senator Sharon Shewmake, among other lawmakers. It comes as an attempt to regulate the rising use of electric motorcycles, especially among teens and young adults.
The state will also establish a work group to set rules for electric motorcycle use, bringing the potential for new minimum age requirements, annual registration fees and rules of the road.
