Mobility & Curb Rules in Seattle, WA (2026)

4 verified mobility & curb rules for Seattle, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Shared E-Scooter Rules

SMC 11.46.010 tells riders of shared and personal motorized foot scooters and EPAMDs exactly where they can operate in Seattle: scooters get roadways, shoulders, alleys, bicycle lanes and public paths but not sidewalks, while EPAMDs get roadways, shoulders, sidewalks and alleys but not bicycle lanes. SDOT can also designate speed-limited zones capping EPAMDs and e-scooters at 5 mph on sidewalks, crosswalks and pedestrian zones under SMC 11.46.020.E.

Seattle EPAMD & Scooter Operating Rules

Some Restrictions

Seattle Municipal Code §§ 11.46.010, 11.46.020

A.Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter 11.46, motorized foot scooters may be operated on roadways, shoulders, alleys, bicycle lanes, and public paths, but not on sidewalks, unless there is no alternative for a motorized foot scooter to travel over a sidewalk that is part of a bicycle or pedestrian path.B.Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, EPAMDs may be operated on roadways, s...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Bike Lane Rules

SMC 11.53.190 bars any motor vehicle operator from driving in a Seattle bicycle lane except to make a turning maneuver, and even then the driver must yield to every bicyclist in the lane. Camera-detected violations under this section carry a $75 base penalty per SMC 11.31.121, and the rule sits alongside SMC 11.53.195's requirement that drivers yield to bicyclists in a marked bicycle crossing.

Seattle Driving in Bicycle Lane Ban

Significant Restrictions

Seattle Municipal Code § 11.53.190

The operator of a motor vehicle shall not drive in a bicycle lane except to execute a turning maneuver, yielding to all persons riding bicycles thereon.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

E-Bike Classes

SMC 11.14.055 adopts three e-bike classes by motor behavior, Class 1 and 3 assist only while pedaling (cutting off at 20 and 28 mph), Class 2 can propel without pedaling up to 20 mph, and SMC 11.44.120 bars Class 3 e-bikes from Seattle sidewalks except where there's no alternative route.

Seattle E-Bike Class Rules and Sidewalks

Some Restrictions

Seattle Municipal Code §§ 11.14.055(B), 11.44.120

"Class 1 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour;2."Class 2 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of provid...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Red-Light Cameras

SMC 11.50.570 authorizes Seattle's automated traffic safety cameras to catch stoplight violations at signaled arterial intersections, railroad-crossing violations, and speeding in school, park, hospital, and work zones, plus transit-lane and ferry-queue violations, under RCW 46.63.210-260. SDOT must complete an equity analysis before adding or relocating a camera, and as of June 16, 2025 every new or relocated camera issues a penalty-free warning for its first 30 days.

Seattle Automated Traffic Safety Cameras

Some Restrictions

Seattle Municipal Code § 11.50.570

A.Automated traffic safety cameras may be used to detect one or more of the following as authorized under RCW 46.63.210 through 46.63.260:1.Stoplight violations at intersections of two or more arterials with traffic control signals that have yellow change interval durations in accordance with Section 11.50.130, which interval durations may not be reduced after placement of the cameras;...3.Spee...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Looking for King County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Seattle city rules.

Mobility & Curb Rules in King County →