Laws by state / Washington
Washington
What Washington's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: Three-class system ("electric-assisted bicycle"). 2 or 3 wheels, a saddle, working pedals, motor up to 750 W. Class 1: pedal-assist to 20 mph. Class 2: throttle, to 20 mph. Class 3: pedal-assist to 28 mph with speedometer. Excludes anything that can exceed 20 mph on motor alone or is built to be easily reconfigured out of compliance. Legally a bicycle.
Road
Allowed
Same highway access as bicycles, with a bicyclist's rights and duties.
Bike lane
Allowed
Class 1/2 may use any part of a highway designated for bicycles; Class 3 may use facilities within or next to a highway.
Sidewalk
Allowed with limits
Class 1/2 follow bicycle rules (pedestrian rights and duties on sidewalks). Class 3 banned on sidewalks unless there is no alternative or a local ordinance allows it.
Paths and trails
Allowed with limits
Class 1/2 allowed on shared-use paths unless local or state agencies restrict them. Class 3 not allowed on shared-use paths unless the local jurisdiction allows it. No e-bikes on natural-surface nonmotorized trails unless the managing agency allows it.
- Helmet
- Riders must comply with laws and regulations on bicycle helmets (RCW 46.37.530); the statute sets no separate e-bike helmet rule.
- Minimum age
- Class 3: 16.
- Speed limit or cap
- 20 mph motor assist (Class 1 and 2), 28 mph (Class 3)
- Motor power cap
- 750 W
- License, registration, insurance
- No driver's license required; moped registration rules do not apply.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: RCW 46.04.169; RCW 46.04.071; RCW 46.61.710; RCW 46.61.755; RCW 46.20.500(3); RCW 46.37.530
- RCW 46.04.169 (Electric-assisted bicycle; classes)
- RCW 46.04.071 (Bicycle)
- RCW 46.61.710 (Mopeds, EPAMDs, motorized foot scooters, e-bikes: operation)
- RCW 46.61.755 (Traffic laws apply to bicycles)
- RCW 46.20.500 (License exemptions; ages)
- RCW 46.37.530 (Helmets)
E-scooters
How the law defines it: "Motorized foot scooter": 2 or 3 wheels, handlebars, a floorboard to stand on, gas or electric motor, top speed 20 mph on level ground.
Road
Allowed
Same highway access as bicycles, up to 15 mph; not on fully controlled limited-access highways. Local jurisdictions may regulate.
Bike lane
Allowed
Allowed on shared-use paths and highway lanes designated for bicycles, up to 15 mph, unless restricted locally.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Banned unless there is no alternative route or a local ordinance allows it (which must set a sidewalk speed limit).
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Banned on federally funded trails and bike paths; other new or existing trails only where signed to allow scooters. No natural-surface nonmotorized trails unless the managing agency allows it.
- Helmet
- Riders must comply with laws and regulations on bicycle helmets (RCW 46.37.530).
- Minimum age
- 16, unless a local jurisdiction allows younger riders.
- Speed limit or cap
- 15 mph riding speed (device max 20 mph)
- Motor power cap
- None in statute
- License, registration, insurance
- No driver's license or registration required.
- Also worth knowing
- Reflectors required from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise. Cities may regulate shared scooter programs.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: RCW 46.04.336; RCW 46.61.710; RCW 46.61.715; RCW 46.20.500(5); RCW 46.37.530; RCW 46.16A.080
- RCW 46.04.336 (Motorized foot scooter)
- RCW 46.61.710 (Mopeds, EPAMDs, motorized foot scooters, e-bikes: operation)
- RCW 46.61.715 (Local regulation of motorized foot scooters)
- RCW 46.20.500 (License exemptions; ages)
- RCW 46.37.530 (Helmets)
- RCW 46.16A.080 (Registration exemptions)
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
How the law defines it: One-wheel self-balancing boards (Onewheel-style) fall under Washington's EPAMD definition: a self-balancing one-wheel device for one person, average power up to 2,000 W, top speed under 20 mph. Four-wheel electric skateboards are not addressed.
Road
Local rules decide
Allowed, obeying speed limits, but not on fully controlled limited-access highways. Cities and WSDOT may ban them on roads posted over 25 mph.
Bike lane
Not addressed in statute
Not addressed in statute.
Sidewalk
Allowed
Rider has a pedestrian's rights and duties; must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing. Cities may limit speed in congested pedestrian areas.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
State agencies and local governments may regulate use in recreation, open space, habitat, trail and conservation areas.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- Device top speed under 20 mph to qualify; must obey speed limits
- Motor power cap
- 2,000 W average (one-wheel devices)
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no driver's license required.
- Also worth knowing
- The one-wheel branch of the EPAMD definition (RCW 46.04.1695(2)) is device-type neutral and covers self-balancing one-wheel boards. Conventional four-wheel electric skateboards are not addressed in statute.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: RCW 46.04.1695; RCW 46.61.710(3), (11), (12); RCW 46.04.320; RCW 46.20.500(4)
- RCW 46.04.1695 (Electric personal assistive mobility device)
- RCW 46.61.710 (Mopeds, EPAMDs, motorized foot scooters, e-bikes: operation)
- RCW 46.04.320 (Motor vehicle)
- RCW 46.20.500 (License exemptions; ages)
Electric unicycles
How the law defines it: Electric unicycles fall under Washington's EPAMD definition: a self-balancing one-wheel device for one person, average power up to 2,000 W, top speed under 20 mph.
Road
Local rules decide
Allowed, obeying speed limits, but not on fully controlled limited-access highways. Cities and WSDOT may ban them on roads posted over 25 mph.
Bike lane
Not addressed in statute
Not addressed in statute.
Sidewalk
Allowed
Rider has a pedestrian's rights and duties; must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing. Cities may limit speed in congested pedestrian areas.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
State agencies and local governments may regulate use in recreation, open space, habitat, trail and conservation areas.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- Device top speed under 20 mph to qualify; must obey speed limits
- Motor power cap
- 2,000 W average (one-wheel devices)
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no driver's license required.
- Also worth knowing
- Unicycles that can reach 20 mph or more, or exceed 2,000 W average power, fall outside this definition, and the statute does not say how they are treated.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: RCW 46.04.1695; RCW 46.61.710(3), (11), (12); RCW 46.04.320; RCW 46.20.500(4)
- RCW 46.04.1695 (Electric personal assistive mobility device)
- RCW 46.61.710 (Mopeds, EPAMDs, motorized foot scooters, e-bikes: operation)
- RCW 46.04.320 (Motor vehicle)
- RCW 46.20.500 (License exemptions; ages)