City of Bellevue Warning People with Electric Scooters

Electric scooters were the hot topic at the Bellevue City Council meeting back on Monday.

While the city doesn’t currently have an ordinance regulating scooter use, officials shared some safety guidelines based on rules adopted in other communities.

Electric scooters are considered vehicles, similar to bicycles, and must follow standard traffic laws. That means stopping at stop signs, obeying signals, and yielding to pedestrians.

Riders are encouraged to use bike lanes when available but can also travel on roads—so long as the speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. Scooters are not allowed on highways, and around Cole Park, the speed limit is strictly 15 MPH.

Safety remains a top concern. Riders should wear helmets, use proper lighting white front light, red rear light or reflector, and ride solo—no passengers allowed. Scooters must be parked responsibly, not blocking sidewalks or doorways.

The City is also urging parents to talk to their kids about safe riding habits, noting multiple close calls where children failed to stop or look for traffic. Drivers are reminded to stay alert and slow down, especially with summer bringing more kids out on scooters, bikes, and on foot.

If unsafe behavior continues, the City says it may introduce new regulations—and possible fines.