The Cyclist's Electric Bike Shops Since 1996

We sell and service Human Power Augmented a.k.a. Electric bikes and ride them enthusiastically ourselves. See also our folding bikes at Folding Bikes West.

How to order

Our Seattle store sells assembled bikes for pick up in the store. Come in and place your order, phone or email us.

In Seattle, WA

Electric Bikes Northwest
4810 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107 - Map
ph: 206/547-4621
Email form
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 11–6
Saturday: 11–3

In Portland, OR

The eBike Store
201 N Alberta St
Portland, OR 97217 - Map
ph: 503/360-1432
Email form

In Bend, OR

Bend Electric Vehicles
550 SW Industrial Way #27
(near Bond Street)
Bend, OR 97701 - Map
ph: 541/410-7408
Email form

The Law and Electric Bicycles

Extracts from 46.04 RCW (Revised Code of Washington)

"Electric-assisted bicycle means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor. The electric-assisted bicycle's electric motor must have a power output of no more than one thousand Watts, be incapable of propelling the device at a speed of no more than twenty miles per hour on level ground, and incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the device beyond twenty miles per hour."

"No driver's licence is required for operation of an electric-assisted bicycle."

"Persons under sixteen years of age may not operate an electric-assisted bicycle."

The provisions (RCW 46.16.010) relating to "a current and proper vehicle licence and display vehicle licence number plates.... shall not apply to (a) Electric-assisted bicycles."

"Persons operating electric-assisted bicycles shall comply with all laws and regulations related to the use of bicycle helmets."

"Operation of a moped or an electric-assisted bicycle on a fully controlled limited access highway or a sidewalk is unlawful."

"Electric-assisted bicycles may be operated on a multipurpose trail or bicycle lane, but local jurisdictions may restrict or otherwise limit the access of electric-assisted bicycles."

The new federal law is similar to Washington state law. It restricts power to 750 Watts.

 

California: Extracts from "Section 406 of the Vehicle Code"

"(b) A 'motorized bicycle' is also a device that has fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power and has an electric motor that meets all of the following requirements:

  1. Has a power output of not more that 1,000 Watts.
  2. Is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on ground level.
  3. Is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the motorized bicycle faster than 20 miles per hour."

Copyright © 2006 Folding Bikes West


June 2005

For more information please see California DMV.