E-Bikes, E-Scooters, and Cars: Keeping Safe on Washington Roadways

E-bikes and e-scooters are no longer a novelty on Washington roads. Known as “micromobility devices,” use has skyrocketed in recent years, with programs like WSDOT’s WE-Bike helping nearly 7,000 people purchase e-bikes and millions of people participating in shared bike-and-scooter programs in places like Seattle. All of these devices, private, rented, and shared, mean more riders on the road with cars, trucks, and buses.

The sudden rise in the popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters has not been without its dangers. In a Washington Traffic Safety Commission report studying UW Medicine data in Seattle, e-scooter-related medical encounters rose from three in 2020 to 151 in 2023. That same report found that more than half of e-scooter injuries involved the head or neck, and at least 41.1% of injured riders were not wearing helmets.

When a car hits a rider, the rider usually takes the worst of it. Broken bones, head injuries, road rash, and neck injuries can turn a quick ride into a long recovery. When this happens, it’s important to have an experienced injury lawyer on your side who can look into the cause of your crash, determine if someone else is liable, and help you choose the best way to seek compensation.

Schedule a No-Cost Case Review With an E-Scooter Accident Lawyer

If you were hit while riding an e-bike or e-scooter in Tacoma, Olympia, or anywhere nearby, Fuller & Fuller is here to help. Call us at (800) 570-4878 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation and let us help you understand all of your options.

E-Bikes and E-Scooters: The Rules of the Road

E-bikes and e-scooters make it easier to get around, but riders still have to follow the rules. Knowing where you can ride and how you should move through traffic matters, especially when you’re injured in a crash with a larger vehicle.

Things to bear in mind when using a micromobility device:

• E-bike and e-scooter riders must follow traffic laws. In Washington, riders generally have many of the same rights and duties as bicyclists when using the road.
• Where you ride matters. Depending on the type of e-bike or e-scooter, you may be allowed on:
  • Roadways
  • Bike lanes
  • Shoulders
  • Shared-use paths
• Not every e-bike can go everywhere. Washington law treats e-bikes differently depending on their class. Some lower-speed e-bikes can use more shared spaces, while higher-speed models may face stricter limitations.
• Sidewalk use is not always allowed. Some e-bikes and e-scooters may be restricted from riding on sidewalks unless local rules allow it or there is no practical alternative.
• Ride with traffic, not against it. When riding on the road, you should move in the same direction as vehicle traffic.
• Stay as far right as safely possible. E-scooter and e-bike riders should generally stay near the right side of the lane, unless they need to:
  • Avoid a hazard
  • Pass another rider or vehicle
  • Prepare for a left turn
  • Avoid an unsafe roadside condition
• Use bike lanes and shoulders when available and safe. These areas can provide extra space between you and traffic, but you still need to watch for turning vehicles, parked cars, and people opening doors.
• Signal before you turn or stop. Hand signals help drivers and other riders know what you are about to do. A quick signal can prevent a nasty surprise.
• Shared paths require extra caution. On multi-use paths, riders should:
  • Slow down in crowded areas
  • Pass carefully
  • Stay alert for walkers, runners, and children
  • Give an audible warning when passing from behind
• Be aware of local rules and regulations. Tacoma, Olympia, and other cities in Washington may have their own ordinances about where e-bikes and e-scooters can operate, especially on sidewalks, paths, or higher-speed roads.

While you have the right to use Washington roadways while riding an e-bike or e-scooter, you are also vulnerable to serious injury following an accident. By following the rules of the road, riding predictably, and staying visible, you can significantly reduce your risk of a collision.

What About Helmet Use?

Washington has no statewide helmet rule for scooters and e-bikes, although some cities, including Tacoma, require a helmet when riding a bicycle. No matter if there is a law, however, helmet use reduces the risk of serious injury. As such, helmets should always be worn when riding an e-bike or e-scooter.

In addition to reducing the risk of serious injury in a crash, wearing an approved helmet can help improve your chances of securing maximum compensation. Insurance companies will look for any excuse to shift the blame for your injury onto you. If you were not wearing a helmet, they may try to argue that your injuries were made worse because of it. Covering your bases by wearing safety gear weakens that argument and can help to protect your ability to secure the full compensation you are entitled to.

Who Might Be Liable for an E-Bike or E-Scooter Accident?

When a driver hits you while you are riding a micromobility device, it might seem like they bear full responsibility. And they might. However, some crashes involve more than one driver or are influenced by circumstances out of the driver’s control.

Depending on the facts of your crash, liability may also fall on:

• An employer if the at-fault driver was working at the time.
• A micromobility-share company, if poor maintenance contributed to the crash.
• A manufacturer, if the e-bike or e-scooter had a defective brake, battery, throttle, or frame.
• A property owner or public entity, if a dangerous roadway condition played a major role.

Of course, sometimes the rider of an e-scooter or e-bike also plays a role in an accident. However, being partially at fault won’t eliminate your right to seek compensation. But it will reduce the amount of compensation you can seek in proportion to the amount of fault you are assigned. So, for example, if you are awarded $500,000 but found to be 20% at fault, your actual award would be $400,000.

The truth is, you’re probably not qualified to determine how much blame each party should be assigned. An experienced e-scooter accident lawyer is. Having a lawyer investigate your accident helps to ensure all liable parties are identified and that you are not unfairly blamed.

If You’ve Been Hurt, Fuller & Fuller Is Here to Help

E-bike and e-scooter crashes can look simple at first, but they seldom are. They often involve traffic laws, local ordinances, and complex liability issues that can make it hard to move forward. This is where the accident and injury specialists at Fuller & Fuller come in.

For more than 50 years, the attorneys at Fuller & Fuller have helped injured people in Tacoma, Olympia, and nearby areas of Washington seek justice. With us, personal attention and customized representation aren’t the exception, they’re the rule, and we are proud of our reputation for truly caring about those we serve. Attentive and effective, we welcome the opportunity to meet with you, free of both cost and obligation, and help you determine the best way to move forward.

Talk to an E-Bike Accident Lawyer for Free

If you were injured while riding an e-bike or e-scooter in Olympia, Tacoma, or elsewhere in Washington, Fuller & Fuller can help you understand your rights and options. Contact us online or call us today to schedule your free and confidential case review.