Electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) are increasing in popularity and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is in the process of assessing changes to how they are managed. 

 

E-bike means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor. The electric motor may not have a power output more than 750 watts.

 

The electric-assisted bicycle must meet the requirements of one of the following three classifications:

 

A bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to assist when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.  

 

A bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 mph.

 

A bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to assist when the bicycle reaches a top speed of 28 mph and is equipped with a

speedometer.

 

DNR is committed to providing equitable trail access to all trail users. Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes are currently only allowed on motorized trails and forest roads open to motorized public use.

 

 

In 2021, the Washington Legislature passed Senate Bill 5452 directing DNR and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to undergo a public process to collect information related to e-bike use on non-motorized natural surface trails and closed roads open to bicycles.

 

The feedback will help determine where such use may occur and which classes of electric-assisted bikes are acceptable on trails and roads under the agencies' management. The

departments reported findings from this process to the Legislature on Sept. 30, 2022. You can read the report here. 

 

The current rules and regulations regarding electric-assisted bicycles can be found in RCW 46.04.169 and RCW 46.61.715. The Washington State Legislature has also passed SB

6434 (2018), HB 2782 (2018), and SB 5452 (2021). 

 

More than 7,000 people completed an online public survey providing input on e-bikes and their usage on state-managed land. The survey closed July 15, 2022. This feedback is included in the legislative report.

 

Two virtual town halls were also held in May. You can find these recordings of these virtual discussions on WDFW's YouTube page. 

You can also view a presentation given at the meetings here.

 

Currently, there is a Class 1 e-bike pilot project in the Darrington/North Mountain trail system. This pilot provides a source of data gathering to help inform the long-term suitability of e-bike usage on DNR lands. To participate, click here.