There’s a new law in Washington state regarding the classification of electric bicycles. But if you want to know what the new law says, you should probably avoid reading the news in Washington.
That’s because most reports seem to be getting the law wrong.
What was merely a slight legal clarification to more neatly and clearly reinforce the widely accepted three-class system used by the majority of states in the US has been misreported repeatedly by local media. In many cases, reports are claiming that the state now views Class 3 e-bikes as motorcycles and requires a driver’s license for operators.
As a quick refresher, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes can reach 20 mph (32 km/h) top speed, with Class 1 e-bikes doing so only with pedal-assist (the motor functions while the rider is actively pedaling) and Class 2 e-bikes permitting throttle operation (the motor can function via a hand throttle, no pedaling required). Class 3 e-bikes can reach a higher speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) but only with pedal assist.
All three classes are limited in power to 750 watts (one horsepower).
