The Electric Bicycle
RCW 46.61.710 — highways and shared-use paths, with class 3 kept to the roadway
In Washington, electric-assisted bicycles may use the highways and be parked to the same extent as bicycles, and the moped registration and path rules do not apply to them.
Paths. Class 1 and class 2 may be operated on a shared-use path or any part of a highway designated for bicycles, though local jurisdictions and state agencies may restrict them. Class 3 may be operated on facilities within or next to a highway, but not on a shared-use path unless a local jurisdiction allows it.
Natural trails. No one may operate an electric-assisted bicycle on a trail designated nonmotorized with a natural surface tread, unless the authority over the trail allows it.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionE-bikes need moped registration | What the law actually doesThe moped registration rule does not apply to them |
| The assumptionClass 3 can use any path | What the law actually doesNot a shared-use path unless a local jurisdiction allows it |
Local ordinances, park and trail rules, and the rules for mopeds, motor scooters and other motorized devices are not all on this page. Whether a particular machine is an electric bicycle under the definition is a question for a licensed Washington attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- RCW 46.61.710 — Mopeds, electric-assisted bicycles and other devices — General requirements
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Washington attorney.