E-Bike Information & Guidance

The Bellevue School District (BSD) recognizes the growing popularity of electric bicycles (e-bikes) as a mode of student transportation. The purpose of this guidance is to provide clear expectations for e-bike use on school property to:

Protect the safety of students, staff, families, and visitors
Support sustainable and active transportation choices
Establish clear expectations and accountability
Ensure compliance with state and local laws
Minimize liability and property damage risks

Definitions

E-Bike: An electric bicycle as defined under Washington State law (RCW 46.04.169), including Class 1 (pedal assist up to 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle assist up to 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal assist up to 28 mph). An e-bike motor will never exceed 750 watts of power.
E-motorcycle: is powered solely by an electric motor and often doesn’t have moving pedals. They have foot pegs, other brackets or supports. Without moving pedals capable of propelling, the cycle is classified as a motorcycle.
School Grounds: All property owned, leased, or controlled by BSD, including parking lots, athletic fields, courts, sidewalks, and interior spaces.
Personal Transportation Device: any vehicle operated by an individual to carry them from place to place, including but not limited to bicycles, E-bikes, skateboards, scooters, hoverboards, etc.

More specifics can be found in your school handbook, but generally, all state and local laws, as well as district policy, must be followed while operating e-bikes and other personal transportation devices on district property.

This includes the use of helmets (for assistance with low-cost helmets, you can contact one of the community organizations listed here: Free and Low-Cost Bicycle Helmets in King County), yielding to pedestrians, and operating only legal e-bikes (NO electric motorcycles are permitted unless they are properly registered and operated by a legally licensed individual with a motorcycle endorsement).

Loss of riding privileges on district property may be enforced for rule infractions, so make sure you understand the rules before operating any personal transportation device on district property.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I tell the difference between a bike, an e-bike, and an e-motorcycle?

Washington state law outlines clear distinctions between traditional bicycles, e-bikes and electric motorcycles:

Bicycles are powered solely by human pedaling (no motor).
E-Bikes are bicycles that can be assisted by an electric motor and always have pedals that rotate. Some e-bikes only provide electric assistance when the rider is pedaling. Others can propel the e-bike using electric power alone. Legal e-bikes have a maximum speed of 20 mph (Class 1 and 2) or 28 mph (Class 3). An e-bike motor will never exceed 750 watts of power.
Electric Motorcycles are powered solely by an electric motor and often don’t have moving pedals. They have foot pegs, other brackets or supports. Without moving pedals capable of propelling, the cycle is classified as a motorcycle.

Are e-motorcycles allowed on BSD school campuses?

Electric motorcycles are subject to age restrictions, licensing and registration requirements, and are limited to street use. They cannot be driven on sidewalks, paths, fields, or bike lanes. Users whose “e-bike” meets the criteria of an electric motorcycle are required to follow all applicable motorcycle laws.

Electric motorcycles are also subject to the same equipment standards as traditional motorcycles. They must have functioning brakes, headlights, taillights, reflectors and mirrors. Riders are also required to wear a motorcycle-rated helmet when operating on public roads (see RCW 46.37.530).

What are some safety tips for e-bike riders?

Key rules for all bicycle and e-bike riders include:

Yield to people walking: When riding on sidewalks or crosswalks, you must always yield to people walking or traveling with an assisted mobility device. Slow down, use a bell or your voice when passing, and give people walking the right of way.
Obey Traffic Signs and Signals: People riding e-bikes must follow all traffic laws that apply to bicycles.
Ride Where Comfortable and Only Where Allowed: Bicycles and Class 1 and 2 e-bikes may operate on paths, shoulders, general-purpose lanes, sidewalks, or bike lanes - whichever best suits the rider’s safety needs (RCW 46.61.770). Class 3 e-bikes, however, are not permitted on sidewalks or trails.
Age Restrictions: To legally operate a Class 3 e-bike on public roads or trails in Washington, you must be at least 16 years old. There is no state-mandated minimum age for Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, but parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring minors ride safely.
Helmet Use: Bellevue law requires all bicycle or e-bike riders to wear a helmet (BCC 11.60.090). Helmets must be securely fastened and properly fitted – they significantly reduce the risk of serious head injury in a crash.
Light Requirements: When riding at night or in low-light conditions, state law requires using a white front headlight and a red rear taillight (RCW 46.61.780).

How do I report the unsafe use of e-bikes?

If you witness someone operating an e-bike or e-motorcycle in an unsafe or unlawful manner, here’s what you can do:

Emergencies or Dangerous Behavior in Progress: Call 911 immediately if you see dangerous or illegal behavior happening in real time—such as aggressive riding on a sidewalk that endangers people walking or any situation posing an immediate safety risk.
Non-Emergencies/After the Fact: If the incident is no longer in progress or not an immediate threat, call the non-emergency line at 425-577-5656 or file a report online.
If the incident occurred on one of BSD’s school campuses, send an email to the applicable school principal and safetyandsecurity@bsd405.org

Where can I find additional information about e-bikes and applicable state and local laws?

Elementary

E-BIKES, BICYCLES, HOVERBOARDS, UNICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, AND SCOOTERS
(includes other electric, motorized, & non-motorized personal transportation devices )

Students are encouraged to ride bicycles and other personal transportation devices to school when families determine they are ready!

Please make sure your child has a helmet as helmets are required whenever your child is riding a personal transportation device to and from school.

Use of a bicycle rack is required for the storage of bikes and other personal transportation devices on school property.

Bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and other personal transportation devices must be walked on school property during school hours and may not be ridden on the sidewalks, athletic fields, grass, and plazas.

Bikes and other personal transportation are not allowed inside school buildings.

No e-motorcycles, go-carts, skateboards, roller blades, motorized scooters, or roller shoes are permitted to be used on school property.

The district is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of personal transportation devices.

Detached vehicle batteries are not allowed in school buildings at any time.

Secondary

E-BIKES, BICYCLES, HOVERBOARDS, UNICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, AND SCOOTERS
(includes other electric, motorized, & non-motorized personal transportation devices)

Detached vehicle batteries are not allowed in school buildings at any time.
E-bikes, skateboards, scooters, hoverboards, and bicycles must be ridden in a safe manner, i.e. no speeding, no riding between vehicles/pedestrians, no jumping of curbs, etc.
No riding on sidewalks, grass, athletic fields and courts, and plazas.
Helmets are required for all operators of personal transportation devices while on district campuses.
Skateboards and non-motorized scooters should be stored in your locker during the school day.
Bicycles, e-bikes, and other personal transportation devices must be parked and locked in designated bike racks during school hours.
E-motorcycles are not permitted on campus unless properly licensed and registered and operators have an associated motorcycle endorsement.
District is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage of personal transportation devices.

Additional Rules for E-Bikes and Bicycles:

Do not ride on sidewalks while on campus.
Always use bike racks—do not leave bikes or e-bikes in other areas.
Bicycles, e-bikes, and associated batteries are not allowed inside buildings.
Unsafe riding will result in disciplinary action up to and including revocation of riding privileges on campus.

Important: If your e-bike can go faster than 28 mph, it is classified as an e-motorcycle. Different rules and laws apply, and e-motorcycles are not allowed on campuses unless properly licensed, registered, and operators have an associated motorcycle endorsement.