Can You Ride Your E-bike on the Sidewalk? | Washington Bike Laws

[@somedude1880]

super informative video, I'm in spokane and the cops are crazy aggro so its not a good idea for me to ride something illegal around here. I'm only getting a bike to head into work but I'm glad I watched this video first, I almost got a 1000w over the 750w and thats a potentially giant headache saved, you rock dude. Thank you.

[@srikarnekkanti8286]

I noticed that this video started filming on 160th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA, 98052

[@ace3093]

Great video! I recently started riding e-bike and was reading the law on Washington state. Thanks for confirming what I have seen

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Glad to help! 😊

[@mikekelly7340]

Could you explain the use of bike share on sidewalks? They arnt supposed to be ridden on sidewalks.

[@VladimirMitrofanovph]

How about a throttle for e-bikes in Seattle area? Are those allowed to be installed? I've read in some places throttle are prohibited, or it automatically makes your e-bike as motorized vehicle, and then you won't be allowed on the trails. I can't find anything about this in WA

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Yes, class 2 and 3 bikes (with throttles) are allowed, unless otherwise specified on specific trails. I've yet to encounter one though!

[@ga.b1007]

I'm really confused about the class distinction you mentioned. It actually says in the law that class 3 cannot be ridden on shared use paths (and not on the sidewalk either). I recently got a class 3 ebike and am struggling to figure out if I can ride it on the trails north of where you are. The sticker on my bike says class 3 but I can limit the settings to make the max mph 20, making it a class 1 ebike. Any insight?

[@CozyLivingMachine]

If you're going to limit it, I'd go ahead and order up a class 1 or 2 sticker. I've never once been stopped at all, and our bikes are the opposite, class 2 and unlocked to 3 if we choose. You'd have to be riding like a maniac for someone to say anything in Washington. LEOs have far better things to do with their time. It's an interesting distinction though!

[@switchback8160]

Do you have to go the speed limit on the road you are riding your bike on?

[@CozyLivingMachine]

At or under the speed limit. There's no minimum speed though, so long as you're staying as far right as "reasonable"

[@Jamesmoore-mj5ke]

Yhats all good just purchased a 50mph s ooter with all the street tools blinkers lights brake light so good to here im a 60 yr old man thats tired of the high gas prices can ride my scooter for a buck every 10 miles i go, so its clear what im doing on non rainy days.

[@e.miller8943]

I thought about a scooter, but in Washing you are limited to 50cc and 35 mph if you don't have a motorcycle license

[@cyropox8235]

@@e.miller8943 in Seattle, the restrictions are even tighter. In order to ride a scooter without a license, it needs to qualify as an "motorized foot scooter" which has a max speed of 20mph. It also is not allowed to go on sidewalks like a similarly powerful class 2 ebike

[@sudhikonsagar2541]

Simple and very informative 👌

[@orustusamunade8936]

Wow Excellent review I enjoyed your video thank you so much for this informative lesson. The one question I have is there a rule or law that states you can't ride your E-Scooter after a certain time? Thank you my friend!

[@CozyLivingMachine]

No such law in WA. You just have to have a headlight at night!

[@LironX-wk2bz]

This was so so helpful thank you guy

[@allancerf9038]

Cozy Living Machine- Great video. I wanted to ask you a question that was answered by your video - AND THANK GOD I found it, because I live in WA. state, near Vancouver. Now that you've explained the law, and despite the internet which I can scour, I hope maybe you might see my question. Your input is going to be more valuable than the internet. My town in So. Washington is beset by a high amount of pedestrian, bike and motorcyle fatalities. Blatant disregard for 4 ways stops, ped. signals, you name it. Memorials for the fallen abound within half a mile of my house. So, many streets are absolutely out of the question. I won't be bicycling on certain streets. So, sidewalks it is. Q. I know it's legal. How do people react, though? Do pedestrians yell at you frequently, maybe not knowing sidewalk riding is legal? I plan on being extra- courteous. Why an E-Bike? Just said yesterday for some reason - gotta go buy one. The fun. However, if you tell me that though legal, it's not worth riding on sidewalks often, sadly I'll skip the bike idea. Thanks if you find time for an answer, and either way, nice video!

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Thanks! So that's an interesting question. I will say, if you're within 2 feet of someone going 15mph+, they're not going to be very happy lol but otherwise, I've never had any sort of interaction whatsoever with someone walking while passing. I typically smile and make eye contact as I pass, just riding exactly where I'd be walking anyways, so it's never an issue. Don't be nervous at all, and just have in the back of your mind the response "it's far too dangerous on some of these roads" if someone were to ever question you (which will never happen lol) You'll have a blast on your new bike, easily the best purchase you've made in a very long time, I'm sure! 😊

[@allancerf9038]

@@CozyLivingMachine Great help! Thank you. I'll start shopping bikes immediately. I grew up in Kirkland, btw, intrigued by your channel generally. Good luck with the big changes in this brand new year, you've alluded to.

[@dallasbrown3285]

I'm watching this kinda late. I'm in tacoma ish area. Well close enough in my opinion. Anyways I was wonder if you vould do an update. I want to make sure before I do get one for myself or any of my family members.

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Hello! Are you looking for an update on the RadRover 6 Plus?

[@Jack-fw4mw]

Surprised you didn't mention how the Idaho stop is legal now in WA (bicycle can roll through a stop sign if they are the next to go). Also, in Montesano v Wells, the supreme court agreed with the take that you can get ride your bicycle drunk. Ebikes might lose an appeal though.

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Great point! I completely took that for granted, that's for sure.

[@boopadoo4u]

what if a bike has throttle???

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Check out the classifications (class 1, 2 & 3) for more info, that will explain much more! The throttle itself isn't an issue at all in Washington, which is great since most ebikes have throttles. 🙂

[@johnstack5008]

Does the law in your area require a bike have to come to a complete stop at a stop sign even when it's safe to proceed?

[@CozyLivingMachine]

This is a great question! RCW 46.61.190 says: "With the exception of (b)(ii) and (iii) of this subsection, a person operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign shall either: (A) Follow the requirements for approaching a stop sign as specified in (a) of this subsection; or (B) Follow the requirements for approaching a yield sign as specified in subsection (3) of this section." Basically, bicyclists can treat a stop sign as a yield sign and roll through the intersection during light traffic, following certain exceptions!

[@wesduff7075]

No. All bikes MUST follow all laws while on the road. That exact crap is why cops are cracking down on ALL bikers where I live. Think they can just blow through an intersection with 8 cars in it. You MUST gallows all traffic laws if you are in the road. As well as you MUST have mirrors and turn signals if you ride in road. Simple things like that are costing people bikes here.

[@CozyLivingMachine]

That's 100% nonsense. What city? Sounds like law enforcement doesn't know how to read RCWs or are enforcing city municipal codes that don't apply to other cities, towns or counties.

[@wesduff7075]

@@CozyLivingMachine that's exactly what they are doing. It's illegal. There's a county in Nevada does worse crap just because they don't like the going green initiative. They are literally trying to make ebikes outlawed. I recommend anyone dealing with tyrants like this to take it to court. It's completely illegal to mess with legal ebikes. Surrons and talarias I understand. But you pigs better never once look at my legal ebike. I have cameras all around. Good luck

[@mikekelly7340]

On the use of bike lights . You cant use red lights on the front, or white ligh5s on the back, neither blue lights either to thats reserved for police personall. Cant use a strobe light on the front either, those cause strokes on people .

[@cindyhowerton5687]

Thanks for all the information, lots I did not know, and I`m from WA. I thought you had to wear a helmet , although I think you should. Riding a bike drunk I never even thought of that. Kinda like riding a horse drunk🤣😂

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Happy to share! And I know there's a lot of confusion around it, I just hear some absurd things and knew it would be worth a share!! 😂

[@user-gq2vn1xj2r]

Very fitting - a pile of garbage in the background. The Seattle area is really turning into a (literal) dump.

[@MoppyPoppy]

I find it hella interesting that you can in fact ride an e-bike under the influence, that is just crazy that the law doesn’t have a law against that…yet

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Hahaha I would advise against it but it's definitely preferable to driving a car intoxicated, in my mind!

[@mikekelly7340]

Yes, it's legal to ride under the influence, but if you fall over when ridding under the influence what happens? Then you have public intoxation. Can get a ticket for that.

[@georges4562]

Good Morning Guys ! I know here in the people’s republic of California 😂😂 there is a state law that allows for local jurisdictions by ordinance to regulate bicycle registration, parking, and operation. Good info 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Good morning!! Bicycle registration... 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ How would the world keep going without such guidelines? 😂

[@georges4562]

@@CozyLivingMachine Right ! 😂😂🤣🤣

[@wesduff7075]

This person is crazy. Nothing like that in Cali. They recently made it a law that ebikes CAN be on trails. So idk where you get info. As well as no need for registration either.

[@hikeaphoto746]

I have a quest and that is, are we allow to smoke weed while riding on an ebike legal? I have seen everywhere you went. I drive to Bellevue once in a while to Vectco. I just bought a brand new eAhora Juliet 2023, but I now have an error, I bought a new display, it should be fine. I plan on riding abought 50 miles each day. My RAD mini was old, but I made a great ebike on that one. Ready to sell my RAD. Thanks for your information.

[@CozyLivingMachine]

That's an interesting question. According to WA's Liquor and Cannibus board, no. Their site says, "Public consumption is not allowed. This means you cannot use cannabis in any form, including smoking, vaping, or eating, in public places like parks, restaurants, on public sidewalks, at concerts, etc., or on federal land. This includes state and federal parks." So technically, nope. It doesn't list the statute though. I'm sure that nobody cares at all, as long as you're doing your own thing and minding your business though, not causing trouble. Police have much better things to do. I also had a display issue on my brand new bike as well, funny enough! Disappointing, but a very easy fix! Enjoy your new bike, 50 miles a day is a great ride!

[@hikeaphoto746]

@@CozyLivingMachine I enjoyed what you had mentioned about! Thanks!

[@james-h3y7b]

I mean if your caught in public

[@BASESKIZL]

Seattligts in general are know it alls. They love to REPROVE the hell out of everyone minding their own business.

[@james-h3y7b]

But if your riding in public drunk your still publicly intoxicated right...

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Nope, not in Washington. Opening or consuming alcohol could be an issue, but we have people openly shooting heroin and smoking meth and fentanyl in the streets with people passing by and no one bats an eye. Drinking is the least of law enforcement's worries. There's also public disturbance or disorderly conduct, but again... 😂

[@ottifantiwaalkes9289]

You call your motorbike or e-bike a bicycle! It's a motor vehicle or is it not?

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Lots to learn! Check out the revised codes of Washington. RCW 46.04.071: "Bicycle" means every device propelled solely by human power, or an electric-assisted bicycle as defined in RCW 46.04.169, upon which a person or persons may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is sixteen inches or more in diameter, or three wheels, any one of which is twenty inches or more in diameter. RCW 46.04.320 (1) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle that is self-propelled or a vehicle that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires but not operated upon rails. (2) "Motor vehicle" includes: (a) A neighborhood electric vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.357; (b) A medium-speed electric vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.295; and (c) A golf cart for the purposes of chapter 46.61 RCW. (3) "Motor vehicle" excludes: (a) An electric personal assistive mobility device; (b) A power wheelchair; (c) A golf cart, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section; (d) A moped, for the purposes of chapter 46.70 RCW; and (e) A personal delivery device as defined in RCW 46.75.010. It's a bicycle.

[@ottifantiwaalkes9289]

It thinks it's a pretty dumm question to ask wether you can legally ride your bike or e-bike drunk. I mean only a dumm person would ask. Even as a pedestrian you are participating in traffic and usage of designated areas and laws. A drunk pedestrian therefor is operating intoxicated. I like to ad that especially the people holding any US driving license.

[@CozyLivingMachine]

lol no. RCW 46.61.790 Intoxicated bicyclists. (1) A law enforcement officer may offer to transport a bicycle rider who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or any drug and who is walking or moving along or within the right-of-way of a public roadway, unless the bicycle rider is to be taken into protective custody under *RCW 70.96A.120. The law enforcement officer offering to transport an intoxicated bicycle rider under this section shall: (a) Transport the intoxicated bicycle rider to a safe place; or (b) Release the intoxicated bicycle rider to a competent person. (2) The law enforcement officer shall not provide the assistance offered if the bicycle rider refuses to accept it. No suit or action may be commenced or prosecuted against the law enforcement officer, law enforcement agency, the state of Washington, or any political subdivision of the state for any act resulting from the refusal of the bicycle rider to accept this assistance. (3) The law enforcement officer may impound the bicycle operated by an intoxicated bicycle rider if the officer determines that impoundment is necessary to reduce a threat to public safety, and there are no reasonable alternatives to impoundment. The bicyclist will be given a written notice of when and where the impounded bicycle may be reclaimed. The bicycle may be reclaimed by the bicycle rider when the bicycle rider no longer appears to be intoxicated, or by an individual who can establish ownership of the bicycle. The bicycle must be returned without payment of a fee. If the bicycle is not reclaimed within thirty days, it will be subject to sale or disposal consistent with agency procedures.

[@andypeiffer5]

You can get a DUI in Washington while riding a bike or an ebike. You're not exempt. Some other states you are tho.

[@CozyLivingMachine]

RCW 46.61.790 states that you cannot be arrested for driving under the influence while operating a bicycle. apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.790

[@Jack-fw4mw]

Look up Montesano v Wells. The State supreme court came down and said it is legal to ride your bike drunk.

[@Cerickson12]

Bikes are allowed on side walks but e-bikes are not. RCW46.61.710

[@CozyLivingMachine]

It looks like class 3 is unlawful unless there is an ordinance allowing it or there is no other option. Class 1 and 2 bikes are allowed, of course. 😊 For others to note: "Operation of a motorized foot scooter or class 3 electric-assisted bicycle on a sidewalk is unlawful, unless there is no alternative for a motorized foot scooter or a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle to travel over a sidewalk as part of a bicycle or pedestrian path, or if authorized by local ordinance..."

[@mikekelly7340]

Each jurisdiction is open to make there own rules