At the direction of the City Council, the Bellevue Transportation Department and the Transportation Commission are working to update Bellevue City Code (BCC 11.48.210) to regulate the use of motorized foot scooters throughout the city.
Motorized foot scooters, or e-scooters, are one of many micromobility devices that have gained popularity in urban cities nationwide since 2018. Other forms of micromobility, such as electric bikes and one-wheels, offer flexible and sustainable transportation options that help reduce car trips in congested areas.
Micromobility is not new to Bellevue. In 2018, the city partnered with Lime to launch a one-year pilot program for shared electric bicycles. During that time, community feedback indicated strong interest in both e-scooter and e-bike options, as well as expanded use of personal e-scooters.
To establish clearer and safer e-scooter policies, the City Council directed staff to collaborate with the Transportation Commission to align regulations with the Washington State law and neighboring jurisdictions.
Micromobility Code Amendment
Throughout the spring and summer of 2025, Transportation staff will meet with the Transportation Commission to identify key themes that will guide updates to the city code.
Based on these themes, staff will draft revisions to the code language for Council adoption later this year. The updated code will establish a policy framework to regulate e-scooters that:
- Promotes public safety by encouraging safe riding practices and providing clarity to law enforcement to address traffic violations.
- Addresses community need byproviding clarity to the public and city staff on where and how these devices are allowed or restricted.
- Expands transportation options by encouraging e-scooters as a first-mile/last-mile solution in coordination with regional transit and initiatives to reduce car trips in Bellevue.
- Aligns with State regulations and neighboring jurisdictions by addressing gaps in understanding the use of e-scooters, including where, when, and by whom they can be ridden, as well as, creating consistency with the regulatory frameworks in nearby cities such as Redmond, Seattle, and Kirkland.
Timeline
- Spring 2025: Develop themes for code amendment with Transportation Commission.
- Summer 2025: Present draft code language to the City Council for adoption.
Documents
- Commission Meeting Materials (March 27, 2025)
- Written report to Council (February 25, 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the code being updated?
The current regulations on motorized foot scooters were adopted in 2007 and are now over 15 years old. The update aims to better align with state regulations, codes of neighboring jurisdictions, market trends, and evolving community needs.
What is being considered in the code update?
Public safety is the city’s top priority. Through engagement with the Transportation Commission, the code amendment process will address factors such as nighttime riding, minimum rider age, and permitted riding locations, among other considerations.
Will this update affect e-bikes?
No. This code amendment process applies only to motorized foot scooters (BCC 11.48.210). Regulations for bicycles and e-bikeshare outlined in BCC 11.60, RCW 46.20.500, and RCW 46.61.710.
Where can I ride my e-scooter?
Under the current code, motorized e-scooters can only be ridden during the daytime on local streets with speed limits of 25 mph or lower. E-scooters are not allowed on arterial streets, sidewalks, or in city parks. Riders must be at least 14 years old. Foot-powered (non-motorized) scooters may still be used on sidewalks. Future code updates will determine any changes to these regulations.
Can I rent a shared e-scooter in Bellevue?
Bellevue does not currently offer a shared micromobility program for e-bikes or e-scooters. However, this may be considered in the future after the code amendment process is completed.
Have a question or comment?
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