With summer bringing more riders out on local roads, sidewalks, and trails, both North Bend and Snoqualmie are reminding residents of the rules governing e-bikes, e-motorcycles, and motorized foot scooters. North Bend passed new ordinances in October 2025, while Snoqualmie’s rules follow state classification laws that took effect this June.
North Bend
On October 21, 2025, the North Bend City Council passed two ordinances focused on the safe operation of electric motorcycles and motorized foot scooters within city limits, in response to residents’ concerns about the safety hazards these vehicles pose to other drivers and pedestrians due to their rapid acceleration and high speeds.
E-motorcycles:
- Lawful age to operate: 16 years and up with a valid driver’s license and motorcycle endorsement
- Lawful locations to ride: Public roadways (Torguson Park Pump Track does NOT allow the use of any electric transportation vehicles)
- Required registration: Washington State Department of Licensing
- Required to follow RCW 46.61.705
- Required to display a license plate
- Required to wear a motorcycle helmet
- Illegal for guardians to authorize or knowingly permit a minor in their care to operate an e-motorcycle
- E-motorcycles can be impounded, with penalties, if their use violates NBMC Chapter 10.18.50 or RCW 46.61.705
Motorized foot scooters (e-scooters):
- Lawful age to operate: 12 years and up
- Lawful locations to ride: Sidewalks and public trails (Torguson Park Pump Track does NOT allow the use of electric transportation vehicles)
- Lawful speed on sidewalks and public trails: 15 miles per hour
- Lawful speed on bicycle lanes, within public roadways: 25 miles per hour
- Illegal to operate on public roadways that have a speed limit exceeding 25 miles per hour
- Illegal for multiple people to ride a single motorized foot scooter
- Required to wear a helmet
- Motorized foot scooters can be impounded, with penalties, if their use violates NBMC Chapter 10.20
The council voted to amend NBMC 10.20.020 and adopt NBMC 10.20.050 at the meeting. Watch the council deliberate during the October 21 City Council meeting (at 53 minutes in).
The City of North Bend created a webpage dedicated to classification and local and Washington State law on e-bikes, e-motorcycles, and e-scooters, available at www.northbendwa.gov/449/E-Bike-E-Scooter-Safety.
Snoqualmie
New state e-bike and e-motorcycle classification laws took effect on June 11, 2026, and the City of Snoqualmie has its own ordinance to match.
No pedals means a vehicle is classified as an e-motorcycle under the law. If a child’s ride doesn’t have pedals, it is not legal on roads, sidewalks, or trails. If they are pulled over, a citation could prevent them from getting a driver’s license at 16.
E-motorcycle rules:
- Riders must be 16+ with a valid driver’s license and motorcycle endorsement
- Vehicle must be registered and insured
- Riders under 16 on an e-motorcycle may face juvenile court referral and DOL penalties
- Vehicles are subject to impound
E-bikes (with pedals, under 750W) have different, more flexible rules, including Class 1, 2, and 3 designations.
The Snoqualmie Police Department is encouraging parents to know what their kids are riding, where they’re riding, and what the law requires. More information is available at www.snoqualmiewa.gov/ebikes.
Bottom line for both cities: wear your helmet.
[Information provided by the cities of Snoqualmie and North Bend]
Comments
i can’t say enough about how important a helmet is on bikes scooters etc. I hit a pothole and my helmet cracked! It saved my life. It could have been my head.