HB 2374 failed to pass the opposite-chamber policy committee cutoff, making it no longer active. However, SB 6110, which also addresses e-motos, is still active and is set to move forward through the House. AWC is currently working with the sponsor of HB 2374 and other stakeholders to incorporate provisions from that bill into SB 6110.

See AWC’s coverage of SB 6110 for an update on that bill’s progress.

Continue to show your support for ‘e-motos’ bill moving through the Senate

February 20, 2026

HB 2374, addressing regulations of “e-motos” in Washington, is still active, having passed the House ahead of the February 17 house of origin cutoff. The House Transportation Committee amended it to change the makeup and charge of the workgroup established in the bill before the full chamber sent the bill to the Senate.

The workgroup will now include a representative of a trails organization representing non-motorized users and a representative of a nonprofit motorcycle organization or a motorcycle rider. In addition to other topics, the workgroup will also explore establishing civil infractions that may be imposed by local jurisdictions on juveniles between the ages of 12 and 16, and civil penalties for adults who provide electric motorcycles to individuals under the age of 16 years old.

HB 2374 passed off the House floor by a near-unanimous vote and now awaits a hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee.

AWC continues to support the bill. We encourage cities to express your support for it as well, specifically to your Senators as the bill moves through their chamber.

On a related note, SB 6110, which also addresses e-motos, is also still active and is currently moving through the House. Read AWC’s coverage of that bill. AWC is encouraging members of the House Transportation Committee to amend the bill to mirror the text of HB 2374, which more closely reflects input from cities.

AWC seeks support for bill to address proliferation of ‘e-motos’

January 16, 2026

AWC encourages cities to make their voice heard on a bill before the House Transportation Committee that seeks to address the proliferation of “e-motos”—vehicles that appear to be electric-assisted bicycles but are much faster and more powerful.

HB 2374, sponsored by Rep. Janice Zahn (D–Bellevue), would provide clarity that such vehicles are electric motorcycles, not electric bicycles, and establish a work group to examine whether training or investments could help facilitate compliance with existing rules and help consumers distinguish e-motorcycles from e-bicycles.

In recent months, AWC has worked with cities around the state to address growing concerns about the safety of e-motos operated in public rights of way. The vehicles are not labelled consistently in the market, and consumers may not know the difference between an e-bicycle and an e-moto.

Cities are particularly concerned about reports of riders under 15 years of age who likely have not received formal education on the rules of the road and exhibit unsafe and dangerous behaviors while riding, including traveling at high speeds on streets and sidewalks.

Many cities have begun to adopt local ordinances on e-moto use. However, there is some ambiguity as to whether current definitions in RCW specifically apply to e-motos, so cities requested AWC’s assistance in recommending possible statutory changes.

Zahn’s bill limits the definition of e-bicycles to the three classes of vehicles currently identified in statute, excluding any vehicles designed or intended to be modified to exceed existing requirements. It also specifically defines electric motorcycles to distinguish them from electric bicycles and clarify that electric motorcycles meet the existing statutory definition of motorcycles.

AWC supports the bill and will testify in support of it. We thank the sponsor as well as the many representatives of cities who offered feedback on the issue in recent months.

In related news, Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D–Bellingham) has introduced SB 6110, which seeks to address the same issue. The bill also clarifies that e-motos are not e-bicycles and similarly creates a work group, but it does not set forth a specific definition of e-motorcycles.

Date to remember

HB 2374 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday, January 21, at 4 pm.