Electric-Assisted Bicycles—Generally. Electric-assisted bicycle, or e-bike, means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor.  The motor must have a power output of no more than 750 watts, and the electric-assisted bicycle must meet the requirements of one of the three following classifications:

• class 1—in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 mph;
• class 2—in which the motor may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 mph; or
• class 3—in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 28 mph and is equipped with a speedometer.

 
Persons under the age of 16 may not operate a class 3 e-bike.  There is no age limit for the operation of class 1 and 2 e-bikes.
 
Electric-Assisted Bicycle Use. There are various restrictions on where the different classes of e-bikes may be operated. For example, all classes of e-bikes may be operated on a fully controlled limited access highway, and class 1 and 2 e-bikes may be used on a sidewalk.  Class 3 e-bikes may not be used on a sidewalk unless there is no alternative to travel over a sidewalk as part of a bicycle or pedestrian path. 
 
Generally, a person may not operate an e-bike on a trail designated as nonmotorized and has a natural surface, unless otherwise authorized by the state agency or local authority having jurisdiction over the trail. Until June 30, 2023, or until legislation is enacted or rules are adopted related to the use of e-bikes on nonmotorized natural surface trails and closed roads on lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), whichever is earlier, DNR and WDFW must allow persons who possess a current parking placard for persons with disabilities to use class 1 and class 2 e-bikes on all nonmotorized natural surface trails and closed roads on which bicycles are allowed.
 
Electric-Assisted Bicycle Use Study. As required by the Legislature, WDFW and DNR convened an interagency public process to collect input from tribes, persons with disabilities, and other stakeholders on where e-bikes should be allowed on DNR- and WDFW-managed lands, specifically on nonmotorized natural surface trails and roads closed to motorized use. A report with findings from the tribal and other stakeholder engagement processes, conclusions from findings, and recommendations on such e-bike use were published and provided to the Legislature in September 2022.

The requirement that DNR and WDFW allow persons who possess a current parking placard for persons with disabilities to use class 1 and class 2 e-bikes on all nonmotorized natural surface trails and closed roads on which bicycles are allowed is made permanent.