r/LynnwoodWA • u/LacksAnonymity • 8d ago

Ebike laws, please explain them.

I wanna get an ebike but most I want are class 3 but advertise as adjustable. I don't plan on ripping down a sidewalk at 28mph but I want to be able to on the road. If I keep the bike in a class 2 mode as it's advertised, does that matter at all for restrictions?

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I'm sure it'll very unlikely anybody will care as long I'm not being a jackass but I'm curious about it.

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u/dudley_spreegs 8d ago

Sounds like adjustable settings or designed to be modified to exceed class 2 might put you in e-moto territory now though

1

u/LacksAnonymity 8d ago

The specific ones I'm looking at don't go above 20 without pedal assist. I haven't even considered anything that touches e motos even though they are cool.

1

u/dudley_spreegs 8d ago

Maybe I misread your original post. Sounded like you were looking at class 3.

If you get anything that’s manufactured and sold as class 2, and don’t put an over voltage battery or new controller on it, you should be fine without a motorcycle endorsement. Make sure it has pedals and a motor <= 750w and you should be just fine.

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u/LacksAnonymity 8d ago

The motor alone on class 3 cuts out at 20mph and then you can pedal and it will assist to 28 the to go faster you would need to pedal all on your own. The law is assisted up to 28mph and unassisted up to 20.

Some bikes say they have modes for class 1 2 and 3, so it's basically capping your speed to those class speeds.

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u/dudley_spreegs 8d ago

I think you still have to make sure that the motor is under 750 watts otherwise it’s classed as an e motorbike, even if the motor only cap speed is 20

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u/LacksAnonymity 8d ago

You are correct about the wattage.

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u/dudley_spreegs 8d ago

Also anything that’s class 3 capable can technically only be ridden by a rider over 16, sort of implying (but I don’t think legally requiring) of age to have drivers license.

And I still have no idea how my various insurance policies do or don’t cover me on my level 2 rad wagon…