Fwd: Supes add rules for riding e-bikes
William Sellin
Infrastructure Review Committee
Area Liaison to Caltrans District 12
E-bike users riding in unincorporated areas of Orange County will be subject to new regulations approved by the OC Board of Supervisors, including speed limits, helmet rules and age requirements.
The board’s recent decision to implement new rules aimed at addressing safety concerns for riders and pedestrians follows a boost in e-bike sales, officials said. Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley, who pushed for the ordinance to get approved before the Fourth of July weekend, previously said e-bike trauma patients have increased by some 500% since 2020.
While e-bikes can be an environmentally friendly way to get around, they also can pose health and safety risks if not regulated, she said.
E-bikes are classified into three classes: bikes that reach up to 20 mph with pedal assistance are Class 1; self-propelling bikes that can reach up to 20 mph are Class 2; e-bikes that can reach up to 28 mph are Class 3.
The new rules say Class 3 bikes may only be ridden by a person age 16 years or older and require a helmet.
“The main issue is that an e-bike, whether pedal assist or not, does not travel more than 28 mph. Some of these mopeds and motorcycles that are being ridden as if they’re an e-bike, those require a license,” Foley said. “Now, if there’s the observation of a person riding a motorcycle on a sidewalk, that’s grounds for the sheriff deputies or the park rangers to stop a person and let them know (they are violating laws).
“We’re going to try to use education first,” she added, “but at the same time, we need people to know that those are motorcycles requiring a license, and you have to be 16 years or older.”
On June 20, just days before the final reading of the county ordinance, the OC Grand Jury released a report pressing Orange County cities to adopt e-bike rules. The grand jury argues inconsistency in laws and policies across the region can lead to confusion for riders and pedestrians.
“There is an urgent need to have consistent ordinances for the regulation and enforcement of safe e-bike use in all cities, school districts, parks, and unincorporated areas,” the report said. “The recent surge in e-bike usage calls for immediate action to strengthen city oversight of this issue.”
Foley said the grand jury’s report validated the reasonings and concerns that sparked the county’s new rules.
“When it was written, a lot of this was already in the works,” Foley said, adding that she agrees there needs to be consistency. “I think all the police chiefs have been working together and talking about this. I know in District 5, Irvine, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach have all talked to each other and their bike ordinances are very similar. It’s the movement to get some education to the families, to the e-bike stores to the community about what’s an e-bike? Where can you travel on the roads, sidewalks and trails. What’s the speed limit? When is the helmet required?”
Signage will go up in parts of Orange County with the new helmet rules, a 28 mph speed limit and notices for places where e-bike use is not allowed.
“We as a community, we want to encourage people to use e-bikes for transportation instead of cars whenever possible because it reduces our carbon emissions, because it’s healthier,” Foley said. “But at the same time, we can’t have so many injuries happening. We can’t have no regulation because what’s been shown is that there’s a lack of responsibility that’s happening.”