Boise Cracks Down on E-Motos: Here’s What Riders Need to Know

If you’ve noticed those fast electric motorcycles zipping around the Greenbelt or neighborhood sidewalks, Boise is cracking down.

a person riding a scooter on a dirt road

If you’ve spent any time on the Greenbelt or around Treasure Valley neighborhoods lately, you’ve probably noticed more electric bikes, scooters, and motorcycles than ever before.

a man riding a bike down a dirt road

While they may look similar at first glance, Boise leaders say there’s a big difference between an e-bike and an e-moto and that difference is becoming a growing safety concern.

The Boise City Council has approved a new ordinance designed to address the increasing number of high-powered electric motorcycles being ridden throughout the city, particularly by younger riders.

orange and black motorcycle on road during daytime

What’s the Difference Between an E-Bike and an E-Moto?

Traditional e-bikes are designed to assist riders while pedaling and typically top out between 20 and 28 miles per hour.

E-motos, however, often have much larger motors, may not include pedals at all, and can reach speeds exceeding 45 miles per hour.

Under Boise’s new ordinance, an e-moto is defined as a two- or three-wheeled electric vehicle producing more than 750 watts of power or capable of traveling faster than 28 mph.

In other words, if it rides more like a motorcycle than a bicycle, the city now wants it treated that way.

Red scooter parked near a body of water with helicopter.

What the New Boise Law Requires

Under the new ordinance, riders of qualifying e-motos must:

Register the vehicle through the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles, carry insurance, title the bike, hold a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement and operate the vehicle on public roads instead of sidewalks or the Boise River Greenbelt.

Boise Police say the rules are enforceable and officers are preparing to educate riders while enforcing the new requirements.

gray, blue, and black concrete city buildings

Why Boise Is Taking Action

City officials say they’ve seen a noticeable increase in complaints, crashes, and close calls involving high-speed electric motorcycles over the past several months.

One of the biggest concerns is that many parents may not realize how powerful these vehicles are before purchasing them for their children.  Some models are marketed toward younger riders despite having speeds comparable to small motorcycles.

Boise leaders say they’re trying to get ahead of the problem before more serious injuries occur while still encouraging safe alternatives like traditional e-bikes and scooters.

black and green motorcycle with green cover

More Idaho Cities May Follow

Boise isn’t the only community looking at new regulations.  According to city officials, Garden City, Rexburg, Ketchum, Hailey, and Sun Valley are also exploring similar approaches to better define and regulate high-powered electric motorcycles.

As these vehicles continue to grow in popularity, it’s likely other Idaho communities will be watching Boise’s ordinance closely.

a bicycle parked on the side of a road

A New Safety Task Force Is Also Coming

Along with the ordinance, Boise will create an e-moto incident task force that will review crashes and identify ways to improve rider safety.

The group will work much like the city’s Traffic Fatality Review Task Force, bringing together Boise Police, city officials, and the Ada County Highway District to study incidents and recommend improvements.

The goal isn’t to discourage electric transportation... it’s to make sure riders, pedestrians, and drivers can safely share Boise’s roads and pathways.

If you or your kids ride an electric bike or e-moto, now is a good time to make sure you know which category your bike/scooter falls into. The rules have changed, and understanding the difference could help you avoid a ticket and more importantly, help keep everyone safer.