Outlawing electrical mountain bikes in Washington?

[scoutdog346]

Thinking about investing in an electric mountain bike. Having surgery on my left ankle and I'm not going to be able to walk as far as I used to ever again and need something to compensate a little bit what do you guys think is the likelihood of them outlawing electric mountain bikes behind gated roads in western Washington walk-in only areas in the years to come? ( my injury will not pass the permanent disability wdfw)

[Humptulips]

All the signs say no unauthorized motor vehicles. Electric motor is still a motor.

[scoutdog346]

Washington Administrative Code says 700 watt or less

All the signs say no unauthorized motor vehicles. Electric motor is still a motor.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Usfs and the timber companies over here treat them as a motor vehicle and they are not allowed behind gates.  I suspect they will fall under that category everywhere before long

[Elkcollector82]

Thinking about investing in an electric mountain bike. Having surgery on my left ankle and I'm not going to be able to walk as far as I used to ever again and need something to compensate a little bit what do you guys think is the likelihood of them outlawing electric mountain bikes behind gated roads in western Washington walk-in only areas in the years to come? ( my injury will not pass the permanent disability wdfw)

I dont see a problem. Most of the west side is pay to play. So either drive in or bike in. Fire season might be a different story.

[520backyard]

Washington Administrative Code says 700 watt or less

All the signs say no unauthorized motor vehicles. Electric motor is still a motor.

What's the relevant WAC?

[dreamunelk]

Washington Administrative Code says 700 watt or less

All the signs say no unauthorized motor vehicles. Electric motor is still a motor.

What's the relevant WAC?

Same as if you get caught behind a gate with a motor vehicle.
Most of the timber companies along the cost have said no to electric bikes. 

[520backyard]

Washington Administrative Code says 700 watt or less

All the signs say no unauthorized motor vehicles. Electric motor is still a motor.

What's the relevant WAC?

Same as if you get caught behind a gate with a motor vehicle.
Most of the timber companies along the cost have said no to electric bikes.

Yeah I understand that. I was asking scoutdog346 what specific WAC he was referencing.

[Bullkllr]

Does a WAC even apply?

Every management entity I have checked has rules in place for not allowing electric motors in walk-in areas already. This goes for USFS, DNR, and every major private timber owner I could find.

[funkster]

Even if your injury doesn’t pass the WDFW’s disabled qualifications, you might try and contact the timber company direct and try to get some type of medical waver? It’s not like you’re trying to totally ignore or break their rules. Plus the batteries themselves have limitations. Doesn’t hurt to ask.

[Soundbite]

Not an official answer but I ran into a DNR officer the other day while out scouting and he says no issue they are bikes... he says he saw no issue

[Special T]

I know everyone tries to stay on the right side of the law. I understand. That said we should understand intent. The intent is the ability to reduce fire hazard and the erosion factors with motorized vehicles. My guess is that if it meets the WAc definition  of less than 700 watts, has pedals and your are on roads the likelyhood of you being messed with are near zero.

Everyone looks for concrete answers. The concrete answer is no to eliminate grey area that may open land owners up to further issues. 2c.

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[Bob33]

The 750 watt reference is from a federal document. State law could override it. Washumgton law would likely consider it a motor vehicle in this instance since the restriction is intended to limit access.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Best answer is probably to check on the rules pertaining to the specific area in mind, as they could very well be different from one to the next.

For example, on Weyerhaeuser property, no electric bikes allowed at all, regardless of size. 

https://www.weyerhaeuser.com/application/files/2015/2227/9385/Permit_FAQs_3-28-2018.pdf

[bobcat]

 They're allowed on Weyerhaeuser just like any other motorized vehicle. Of course you need an access permit as Weyerhaeuser no longer allows access to anyone unless they buy an access permit.