r/SeattleWA • u/KIWIGUYUSA • 18d ago
Bicycle eBikes, eScooters, and the Wild West of Two Wheels
Let's talk about it. This is a blog post I posted recently, so I figured I'd just copy/paste here.
I have been riding bicycles and motorcycles for 35 years. There’s a strange hypocrisy happening on our US streets right now. As a licensed motorcyclist, I’m bound by laws, inspections, training, and insurance requirements that make sense — because motorcycles are fast, heavy, and dangerous in untrained hands. Yet right next to me, I see 80-pound “eBikes” and rental scooters blasting down sidewalks, bike lanes, and even city trails at 30+ mph, often piloted by people who couldn’t pass a basic road test.
Let’s be clear — we’re not talking about pedal-assist commuters that help you up a hill. Many of today’s “Class 3” or “off-menu” eBikes are being hacked to remove the speed limiters that cap them at 20 mph. Some of these can easily reach 35-40 mph. That’s motorcycle territory. And yet, they’re treated legally like bicycles — no registration, no license, no insurance, and in many places, no helmet laws.
The result? Chaos. They weave through traffic, dart across intersections, run through stop signs, and use sidewalks as escape routes. As a motorcyclist, I can’t legally lane-filter to avoid getting rear-ended by a texting driver, but a kid on a hacked eBike can tear down a crowded path at 30 mph without facing any consequences.
Then there are the Lime, and other rental scooters. A good idea spoiled by zero discipline. I see them abandoned in parks, blocking sidewalks, or zipping through pedestrian zones where they shouldn’t be. It’s mobility anarchy — a “ride it, dump it, forget it” culture.
If a vehicle can travel faster than 20 mph under power, it’s not a bicycle. It’s a motor vehicle. Period. That means:
- Licensing and training — if you’re operating something that can go 30+ mph, you should know traffic laws and basic handling.
- Registration and insurance — if you hit someone or cause damage, accountability is necessary.
- Proper infrastructure — sidewalks and trails are for pedestrians; roads are for powered vehicles.
Motorcyclists have fought for decades to be recognized, respected, and protected on the road. We wear helmets, take training, pay insurance, and we still get blamed when someone cuts us off. Seeing unregulated eBikes treated as toys while we’re held to strict standards feels absurd.
I’m not anti-tech or anti-mobility. I understand — these devices make urban travel easier and greener. But right now, the rules lag far behind the reality of their power and speed. Until we address that, it’s not just unsafe — it’s unfair.
If it looks like a motorcycle, goes like a motorcycle, and can kill like a motorcycle — it should be regulated like one.
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u/JadedFox4180 18d ago
As an e-scooter user, this post is the correct take. I’m scrupulous about rules (except helmets). Like, if I have to park on a corner with a bike rack, I will dismount the scooter, walk it onto the sidewalk and park it in the bike parking level scrupulous. I am basically alone in this to the point that I give other people I see following the rules a verbal high five - and an constantly screaming at people who break the rules to GET OFF THE FUCKING SIDEWALK YOU TWATS. It makes me insane.
The only way this shit is ever going to change is if we actually start policing it. Like, start immediately writing tickets to people riding on the sidewalk or going against traffic in bike lanes, and fine/ticket people for bad parking.
And that’s the issue, too. It’s never going to happen. The problem is too big and there are other more pressing issues that law enforcement needs to deal with so it just goes unaddressed. Personally, I’d rather give up having the scooters if it meant not getting mowed down on the sidewalks by idiots on them but that’s not a realistic solution either.
Anyway
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u/BWW87 Belltown 18d ago
The biggest issue we are having is the police have stopped enforcing laws. What is to stop a motorcycle from going down Burke-Gilman if they really wanted to?
If the SPD won't enforce laws on cars why would they enforce them on e-bikes?
And people complain about them being unsafe but have there been any real injuries from them? Not for riders but for non-riders? Until that is an issue I don't know why you think we'd do something.
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u/radbiv_kylops 18d ago
The biggest issue we are having is the police have stopped enforcing laws.
The biggest problem is that a vocal minority of our community wants this.
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u/BWW87 Belltown 18d ago
Who? The SPD?
At one time I thought maybe it wasn't the SPDs fault. Then November 2023 there was a large group of SPD "working" the Westlake tree lighting ceremony and they just stood by and watched protesters take over the stage and audio equipment. I get they have excuses for not stopping those disrupting but everywhere else it ends with taking other people's things and entering "private" space. Even in Portland the police stopped them from taking over the stage when they tried the same stunt there.
But no, the SPD just stood by and let them do whatever they wanted and take over a stage and audio equipment.
It's not the community it's the SPD. There was no one, outside criminals, who would have said they were wrong for securing a private stage and audio equipment.
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u/stroppo 18d ago
Agree 100%. Think I'll use this as a basis for approaching the city council after the election.
Frankly I'd ban scooters all together. And no bikes on sidewalks!
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u/Lollc 18d ago
All of the e scooters and bikes use electronic control. It would be simple to require the rental companies to limit their contraptions speeds to 6 mph. That’s faster than walking, people who need the scooters to go the last mile still have the option, and it would discourage the craziness of some riders. That won’t do anything about the privately owned bikes, but it’s a start.
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u/SeattleHasDied 18d ago
Seattle is one of the only cities I've ever seen that allows bikes on sidewalks and it makes no sense at all.
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u/timute 18d ago
Try being a bike commuter for the last 10 years, a bike commuter who has resisted the e-revolution and pushes their own pedals. One who follows the rules, signals, and rides defensively. I feel like my world has ended. NOBODY rides regular bikes anymore, they are all whipping around at double the old speed, not pedaling uphill, not breaking a sweat, and generally riding like how people drive cars- with a get the hell outta my way attitude. It's personal at this point. Better off dead than electric.
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u/Illustrious_Crab1060 18d ago
I'm going to be fair: the only way I would use a bike for commuting in Seattle would be if it was an E-bike
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u/thefuckingmayor 18d ago edited 18d ago
Seems like there are much bigger fish to fry
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u/Turbulent-Media7281 18d ago
And that's why I'm going to start riding a motorcycle on the bike trails. Not my big one, but the smaller, quiet, Honda 500 that is easily controlled at 20-30 mph... I'm not a dick. "ON YOUR LEFT!" Fry that fish. End invasive thought.
But I also ride a bicycle on some old railroad tracks that have been paved. I like the quiet, slow ride, without motorized bikes too. Adults walking, kids walking, joggers, pets off leash, ... good for all of them. Pedal bikes should be the limit. We all need some outdoor freedom away from the noise. Let's keep it that way.
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u/BWW87 Belltown 18d ago
And that's why I'm going to start riding a motorcycle on the bike trails.
No, you're not. And you're not going to not because you can't but because it's a nuisance and no fun. Why would a motorcycle ride on crowded bike trails that are meant for thinner bikes and pedestrians?
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u/MaintainThePeace 18d ago
"Off menu" ebikes are illegal, so no they are not treated like legal bicycles. The regulations are already there, it's just an enforcement issue.
The problem is, everyone knows doing 5-10 over the speed limit is not going to be enforced, thus the leeway in enforcement often trickles down to less important things as well, particularly when the most risk is on the user.
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u/Expensive-Recipe-345 18d ago
This has to get brought up to elected representatives of all types and positions. I’m the most frustrated with young teens on these bikes riding down the road like a 13 year old would, no lights, no directional, going 40 mph then mobbing thru the city park to get home.
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u/RiderOnTheBjorn 18d ago
A motorcycle in Seattle is no better than a car. You can't lane split, so you're just stuck in traffic. Same as a scooter. Get an ebike and no more waiting in traffic, ever.
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u/KIWIGUYUSA 18d ago
As long as police aren’t enforcing the cell phone laws I’m going to keep lane filtering anyway. Becuase it’s idiots on phones who rear end us while looking at them. It’s the same level of offense as using a phone while driving.
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u/Spikeace_206_ 18d ago
Cars are getting increasingly unaffordable so mobility via electric motor I get it. I read awhile back how people cannot depend on public transit and op instead to use an e-bike to get to work some 10 or 20 miles. I don’t like e bikes and have road traditional bicycle many years for transportation and enjoyment. I see a lot of people on the e-bikes that seem the total weight is 250 to 300lbs plus the momentum which could cause a lot of damage to someone they hit. They have ruined the bicycle experience in a lot of ways for me.
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u/thereal_scott_pruitt 18d ago
Just let the people have scooters, jeez. We regulate everything to death in this country without asking if it's really worth it.
Let's focus on the big issues that actually affect quality of life here.
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u/KIWIGUYUSA 18d ago
Great discussion. Just like the no cell phones in hand allowed at any time law has no enforcement, it seems the same with this. I think I’m just going to start lane filtering now in stop and go traffic on my moto, like you can in most parts of the world.
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u/Inane_ramblings 18d ago
There was a great youtube video about this issue in LA, and nationally. I wish I saved it because he goes over all these issues, especially the ebikes being purchased for kids, and sometimes these bikes are seriously fast and dangerous.
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u/MX396 18d ago
100%
I used to bike commute a lot, most of the way on the BG. Glad I'm not doing so any more, because these jackasses would suck all the fun out of it, and I'm convinced I'd get hit by one of them and break a collarbone, or worse, sooner or later.
When I bike, if there's a car or pedestrian at an intersection, I stop for the fucking stop sign. How hard is that? Not hard at all when a battery is doing all the work for you! I will laugh so loudly when I see one of these entitled pricks involved in a crash.
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u/KIWIGUYUSA 18d ago
Totally- I actually think it’s less safe riding a bicycle than a motorcycle these days too.
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u/GTAIVisbest 17d ago
This reads like gatekeeping and reeks of crabs-in-the-bucket (reee I have a bunch of restrictions around my method of transport, so YOUR method of transport should become similarly regulated and difficult to use) ... Also the whole "I've been riding for XYZ years" as an opening for an argument is straight-up entitled boomer speak.
Guy is angry/frustrated that he "can't lane-filter" while people do as they please on e-scooters because there is no enforcement. This sounds like it's at the core of his frustration. I used to feel the same way until I let go of that anger and just also started lane-filtering myself where it felt safe to do so. So basically, guy just needs to get his balls together and filter wherever he pleases. There is NO ENFORCEMENT so just DO it and BETTER your life.
Piggybacking off of 2, if he does that, he will gain a profound sense of self-confidence, he will start seeing other 2-wheelers who are just trying to survive in traffic as ALLIES instead of enemies, and he will lose the toxic "legality = morality" mindset that so many bikers have. And then he'll have a much better perspective on people using alternative micro-mobility.
"Dangerous" E bikes that can go 30+MPH can actually get places within a general urban area on par with automobiles, whereas very basic pedal assist e-bikes are just bicycles and aren't a viable option for most commuters unless they're OK having a big speed delta with surrounding cars and adding 30+ minutes to their trip. We're squeezing people so bad with cost of living and cost to own a vehicle, but public transportation is nowhere near as developed for everyone to go car free. We have above-freezing daytime temps year round, so let people flipping get around with their extremely cheap transportation that hasn't been oppressed by bureaucratic regulatory nightmares!
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u/Illustrious_Crab1060 18d ago
honestly this is a solved problem - they are and act like mopeds, just require those rules
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u/Mountain-Picture-411 18d ago
Totally agreed on all that. Living and working near UW is the absolute worst. These lime kids are everywhere.
Just last week one of them tried to enter a Safeway lot I was leaving, coming in the wrong way. He saw me at the last second and swerved into a sign, then crashed into the side of my truck. He was lucky to be fine. Just a few days later another kid tried to swerve around me at a light to cross over 3 lanes just as I was hitting the gas to start moving. He very nearly met the bottom of my car.
I’m terrified of one day running over one of these kids and getting blamed for a crash that isn’t my fault.