New e-bike law bars youth from riding fast electric dirt bikes in Tacoma
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- Electric bikes are limited to 750 watts and 20 mph without pedaling.
- People under 16 cannot operate Class 3 e-bikes, classified as e-motorcycles.
- Starting June 11, unlicensed electric motorcycle driving may bring criminal penalties.
Less than a month after The News Tribune reported that youth on electric dirt bikes had been speeding about Tacoma neighborhoods, a new law went into effect Thursday seeking to stop that activity.
The law, passed during the state legislative session, provides clearer differences between e-bikes and electric motorcycles. Under the law, e-bikes cannot go over 20 mph without the rider pedaling and cannot have a motor that produces more than 750 watts of power. If an e-bike fails to meet those requirements, it will legally be considered an electric motorcycle, which requires a license and the rider to be 16 years or older, per the statute.
Electric-assisted bicycles (or e-bikes) are defined as bicycles with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion and an electric motor. Class 3 e-bikes are defined as having a motor that stops providing assistance to the rider when the bicycle reaches 28 mph and is equipped with a speedometer.
People under 16 cannot operate a Class 3 e-bike, and those e-bikes cannot be operated on a sidewalk unless there is no alternative, or it is a shared-use path authorized by the local jurisdiction, per the Senate Bill report.
Starting June 11, if you drive an electric motorcycle without a valid driver’s license, you might be subject to criminal or traffic enforcement action, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Permitting an unauthorized person to operate a vehicle is a misdemeanor offense, as is allowing someone under the age of 18 to operate a vehicle when they are not legally authorized. Maximum penalties include up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $41,000 or both.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has seen “a significant increase in the use of electric bicycles and electric-powered motorcycles on public roadways, sidewalks, trails and other areas throughout Pierce County,” spokesperson Carly Cappetto said Wednesday.
“Many of these vehicles closely resemble and perform similarly to gas-powered dirt bikes and motorcycles, creating safety concerns for both operators and members of the public,” she said. “Unsafe operation of these vehicles has resulted in increased risks to pedestrians, motorists and other lawful users of public spaces. In many cases, operators are juveniles who may not possess the required driver’s license, vehicle registration or equipment necessary for lawful operation on public roadways.”
In a statement Thursday, Shelbie Boyd with the Tacoma Police Department said, “Our goal is not to discourage people from using alternative transportation. Our goal is to promote safe and lawful operation while helping the public understand the requirements that apply to their specific vehicle.”
In a Facebook post May 12, the Tacoma Police Department said electric dirt bikes, mopeds and motorcycles are “increasingly being advertised to youth & their families — but the combination of young, inexperienced riders and devices capable of high speeds on neighborhood streets can have dire consequences.”
Tacoma police enforcement efforts will focus on riders operating illegally on public roadways, sidewalks, parks and other areas where these vehicles have created safety concerns, Boyd said Thursday.
“As with any traffic-related issue, officer discretion is used and education remains a significant part of our approach,” Boyd said. “We encourage riders and parents to familiarize themselves with the applicable laws, ensure riders have the proper licensing when required, wear appropriate safety equipment and understand where these vehicles can be legally operated.”
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said it recognizes that “meaningful compliance will likely require consistent and proactive enforcement,” said Cappetto on Wednesday. Enforcement might include traffic stops, criminal citations and vehicle impoundment when authorized by law, she said.
“The loss of access to an offending vehicle may prove to be one of the most effective deterrents for both riders and parents or guardians responsible for allowing unlawful operation,” Cappetto said.
In May, Tacoma Police spokesperson Boyd encouraged residents to call 911 when they see unsafe activity, like speeding or traffic violations.
