SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Public Schools is urging parents to discuss e-bike safety with their children as summer break approaches and new state regulations reclassify some electronic bikes as electric motorcycles.
Starting June 11, Washington state will require permits or licenses for e-bike riders, depending on their bike’s power capabilities. Some e-bikes that can travel faster than 20 miles per hour now fall under the electric motorcycle classification and require additional documentation to operate legally.
The district sent an email to parents Monday highlighting the new regulations, which take effect just days before the school year ends on June 16.
“As soon as that last day hits on the 16th, we have 30,000 kids out in the neighborhoods. They’re in the parks, they’re walking down the sidewalks, on the streets,” said Clint Price, executive director of Spokane Public Schools.
Lt. Ben Maplethorpe of the Spokane Police Department said officers will focus on education rather than strict enforcement.
“Education is likely the route we will take. And that’s explaining to people that, hey, this is actually considered an electric motorcycle,” Maplethorpe said.
However, he warned that riders could face consequences for non-compliance.
“I don’t envision us going to the extent of ticketing every single person we see,” Maplethorpe said. “You could get stopped by the police. And if nothing else, you may get an interesting lecture.”
Adam Oakley, principal at Garry Middle School, said his school has seen students riding e-bikes and e-scooters to campus in equal numbers to traditional bicycles.
“We have quite a few kids actually, that bring that ride an e-bike or an e-scooter to school. And we’ve had many discussions around safety, riding them on campus,” Oakley said.
The school district collaborated with the Spokane Police Department and city parks department to develop the safety message.
“Helmets is a big one for us, but also just safety of riding them through parking lots and obeying the laws of traffic,” Oakley said.
Price stressed the importance of parental involvement in safety discussions.
“Sit down and have that conversation with your kiddos as they go out into the neighborhood and or playing with their friends just on how to be safe. Because a lot of the times our drivers in town aren’t used to 30,000 kids being out and about and navigating streets and parks,” Price said.
To help clarify the new regulations, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission created an online “E-Ride Guide” — a questionnaire that helps users determine how their electric bike is legally classified under state law.
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