Electric-Assisted Bicycle Regulations, Washington, 2018

This legislation defines e-bike categories below, and devolves access to arterials, etc. to the municipalities. Manufacturers are required to label top speed on vehicles. No license is required, as long as operator is 16 years, or older. 

“Electric-assisted bicycle” means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor. The electric-assisted bicycle’s electric motor must have a power output of no more than seven hundred fifty watts. The electric-assisted bicycle must meet the requirements of one of the following three classifications:

(1) “Class 1 electric-assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the  rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle 20 reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour;

(2) “Class 2 electric-assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle in which the motor may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour; or 

(3) “Class 3 electric-assisted bicycle” means an electric6 assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour and is equipped with a speedometer.