Why you might need a WA motorcycle endorsement for your e-bike starting next week
New WA law will distinguish E-bikes from E-motorcycles
Washington state legislators tackled some of the issues surrounding e-bikes and e-motorcycles during the 2026 legislative session.
OLYMPIA, Wash. - State lawmakers approved a new law that separates electric motorcycles from e-assisted bicycles to regulate motorized cycles on Washington roads.
New WA law changes rules for e-bikes and e-motorcycles
What we know:
State legislators addressed problems surrounding e-bikes and e-motorcycles during the legislative session. According to the updated state law, the new rules will go into effect on Thursday, June 11.
The law creates a clear line to help people tell the difference between electric motorcycles and e-assisted bicycles. To qualify as an e-bike, the cycle must have pedals and must be powered by the person riding it. Additionally, e-bikes cannot have a motor that produces more than 750 watts of power. The motor is only allowed to provide extra help to the rider, meaning it cannot be the primary source of power for the vehicle.
The law also clarifies that an e-bike's speed cannot go over 20 mph without the rider pedaling.
If an electric bike fails to meet any of these specific requirements, the state legally considers it an electric motorcycle. Riding one of these vehicles will require you to have a motorcycle endorsement on top of a standard Washington driver's license.
The Source: Information in this story comes from the Washington state legislature.
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