June has been a wild month for the electric bicycle world, and the news keeps coming. Between a landmark new law in Washington State, two premium commuter e-bikes from Gazelle, a staggeringly capable (and expensive) bikepacking machine from Specialized, and a timely safety recall, there is a lot to catch up on. Let us dig into the weeks biggest stories and what they mean for e-bike riders everywhere.
Washington State Draws a Hard Line Between E-Bikes and E-Motos
On June 11th, Washingtons Senate Bill 6110 went into effect, and it could be one of the most consequential pieces of e-bike legislation we have seen in years. The core of the law is simple: if your vehicle can exceed 20 mph on throttle alone, it is no longer considered an e-bike under Washington law.
The states existing 3-class system stays intact. Class 1 e-bikes still offer pedal assist up to 20 mph. Class 2 bikes keep their throttles capped at 20 mph. And Class 3 bikes continue to provide pedal assist up to 28 mph. Motor power remains limited to 750 watts, all e-bikes must have operable pedals, and Class 3 bikes still need speedometers.
But heres the part riders should pay attention to: the law specifically targets vehicles that are designed, manufactured, or intended by the manufacturer or seller to be easily configured to exceed legal limits. That language goes after the growing category of bikes sold as e-bikes with a hidden switch, app setting, or software unlock that lets riders push well past 20 mph on throttle. If you have been around e-bike forums for any length of time, you know exactly what this refers to, machines marketed as compliant Class 2 bikes that can be trivially modified to hit 30, 40, or even 50 mph.
The law also establishes a work group tasked with studying electric motorcycles, how to define them, whether they should require registration and licensing, what penalties should apply to companies that misrepresent their products, and more. This is the part that could have the biggest long-term impact on the industry nationwide.
Other states are watching closely. If Washingtons framework works, clearly separating legitimate e-bikes from high-speed electric motorcycles while preserving the 3-class system, expect similar legislation to pop up in Oregon, California, New York, and beyond. For riders who bought their e-bikes legally and ride responsibly, this is a win. It helps keep bike lanes safer and reduces the backlash that bad actors on unregulated machines create for everyone else.
Gazelle Launches Two Premium Class 3 Commuters
European e-bike builder Gazelle has rolled out two new Class 3 commuter bikes built on its updated Ultimate platform, and they are unapologetically premium. The Ultimate C380+ 2.0 and Ultimate T11+ both run Bosch Performance Line Sport mid-drives with 85 Nm of torque (boostable to 90 Nm through the Bosch Flow app), a removable 540 Wh battery with a claimed range of up to 94 miles, and 4-piston Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.
The shared spec sheet reads like a wish list for serious commuters: 28×2.15 Schwalbe The Green Marathon tires, an 80mm SR Suntour MOBIE 34 suspension fork, a 4A fast charger, MIK-HD cargo rack, and options for Quadlock or SP Connect phone mounts. Both bikes support Boschs PowerMore range extender for extra-long days and fit riders from 4 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 4 inches across three frame sizes. Fully internal cable routing keeps things clean, and there is a charging port on the rear triangle for convenient top-ups.
The C380+ comes in a white step-thru frame with a traditional 11-speed Shimano drivetrain for $4,499. The T11+ steps things up with an Enviolo stepless Trekking CVT paired to a Gates CDX belt drive, available in both step-thru and high-step frames in blue and yellow, for $4,999. Both bikes weigh roughly 60 pounds without the battery, hefty, but not unusual for this level of spec.
Mark Danhof, GM of Gazelle North America, framed it this way: With the new Ultimate platform, we wanted to prove that speed performance does not need to come at the expense of comfort and control. While lower-cost alternatives focus on upfront price, we focused on what matters over time: trusted Bosch systems, premium components and long-term durability.
At nearly $4,500 to $5,000, these bikes are not competing with budget direct-to-consumer brands. They are going after riders who want a daily commuter that will hold up for years and are not shy about paying for quality. The T11+ with the Gates belt and Enviolo CVT is the more practical pick for year-round commuting, less maintenance, no chain grease, and the CVT means you are always in the right gear.
Specialized Goes Full Bikepacking with the S-Works Turbo Levo 4X
Specialized has taken its already-impressive Turbo Levo 4 full-suspension eMTB and turned it into something genuinely new: a factory-built, bikepacking-ready electric mountain bike. The S-Works Levo 4X ships with front and rear cargo racks rated for 48.5 pounds of gear, an 840 Wh battery, and a carbon frame built around Specializeds S-Works 3.1 mid-drive producing 850 watts of peak power and 111 Nm of torque.
The suspension is serious: a Fox 38 fork with 160mm of travel up front, a Fox Float X shock with 150mm and Genie tech in the rear, SRAM XX Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain, and 4-piston SRAM Maven Ultimate hydraulic brakes. Charging is handled by a 12A smart charger that hits 80 percent in about an hour. It runs a mullet wheel setup, 29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear, with adjustable geometry.
The price? $12,000.
Look, that number is going to make a lot of people wince. But the component spec sheet genuinely supports it. Riders planning multi-day backcountry tours with significant elevation gain will appreciate what 850 watts and 840 watt-hours of battery capacity can do when the trail gets steep and the pack gets heavy. And for existing Turbo Levo 4 or Levo R owners, the bikepacking racks are available as aftermarket accessories.
Do Not Forget the Recall: 500+ Bike Helmets Fail Safety Standards
In safety news, the CPSC issued a recall on June 4th covering 520 Gudook Adult Bike Helmets (model KY-055) sold on Amazon between May 2025 and February 2026 for about $23. The helmets, blue and white, size medium, with batch number 202503, fail to meet impact attenuation requirements. No injuries have been reported, but the risk is real.
If you bought a Gudook helmet on Amazon in the last year, check the label inside. If it shows batch 202503 and a March 2025 manufacture date, cut the straps, photograph the destroyed helmet, and contact Gudook for a refund. A $23 helmet that might not protect you in a crash is not a bargain, it is a gamble.
In Memoriam: Charlie Cunningham (1948-2026)
We would be remiss not to note the passing of Charlie Cunningham at age 78. If you do not know the name, you almost certainly know his work. Cunningham pioneered aluminum frame construction in mountain biking, developed grease injection bearings that were later sold through Suntour and WTB, co-founded WTB, designed cam rim brakes, and contributed to Specializeds Ground Control tire. He and his wife Jacquie were inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1988, one of the earliest classes of inductees.
Cunningham studied chemistry and engineering, won a national mountain biking title in the veteran category at 36, and placed 10th at the 1984 NORBA championship in Colorado. He suffered brain injuries in a 2015 crash and spent his final years in care. His contributions helped shape mountain biking into what it is today, and by extension, everything that modern eMTBs have become.
The Bottom Line
The e-bike landscape is shifting fast, and June 2026 feels like a turning point. Regulation is catching up with technology. Premium brands are pushing into faster, more capable territory. And the market is sorting itself out, separating well-built, compliant machines from the unregulated machines that cause problems for everyone.
For riders, the message is straightforward: know the laws where you ride, buy from brands that build to established standards, and keep your bike maintained so it is safe and reliable. A machine this capable deserves regular attention. Whether it is a brake check before the commuting season or a full mid-summer tune-up, taking care of your e-bike is what keeps it fun, safe, and on the road longer.