After weeks of education, officers will begin issuing citations for E-Bike riders that violate the City's new E-Bike Ordinance. Adopted unanimously in April, the ordinance, one of the few passed in the State of California, is an attempt to control and promote the safe use of the increasing number of E-Bikes in the community.
“We realize the importance of E-Bikes and other electric mobility devices to members of the community, especially our youth,” Sgt. Ryan Smith said. “We understand the freedom these devices allow and that they can limit trips that would normally be done by a vehicle. What we are trying to do, and have been trying to do, is promote good ridership by those that use these devices.”
While the goal of the ordinance is to continue to educate community members, officers will now issue citations for offenses that occur in their presence.
As outlined in the ordinance, rather than referring juvenile offenders into the criminal justice system, the new law requires those cited to attend a 4-hour education class on E-Bike safety. Working with school officials, bike advocates and community parents, the ordinance was written to give juveniles and their parents the tools and knowledge necessary to travel safely on their E-Bikes.
Check out the informative flyer on how to safely operate an E-Bike.