Increasing concerns by Yorba Linda residents and elected officials have led to approval for a first reading of an ordinance with several restrictions related to the operation of e-bikes in the city.
The first reading of the ordinance came at the City Council’s Aug. 19 meeting on a unanimous vote, with the second reading scheduled for the council’s next meeting Sept. 16.
The new law would take effect 30 days after the second reading.
“Yorba Linda has experienced a noticeable uptick in the presence and use of e-bikes and related devices, especially in residential neighborhoods, near schools and in public spaces, such as parks and trails,” Tony Wang, the city’s traffic engineering manager, reported to the council.
Wang noted the increase in popularity “has also introduced new challenges related to public safety, youth ridership, high travel speeds, conflicts with pedestrians and increased incidents,” sentiments echoed by residents when the ordinance was first introduced at a July 15 meeting.
Public comments and council discussion regarding speed limits, penalties, enforcement, unsafe operations, driving under the influence and property damage led to the ordinance being revised for a new first reading at the Aug. 19 meeting.
Key regulations include a 10 mph speed limit on trails, sidewalks, parks and other public access areas and a 25 mph speed limit on streets, highways and bikeways.
Prohibitions include riding against traffic, carrying passengers under age 16, failure to yield to pedestrians, operating without a helmet, tampering with or modifying devices, operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and engaging in reckless swerving or attaching to a moving vehicle.
Damaging public or private landscaping, infrastructure or property also would violate the law.
A penalty provision says that a first violation is an infraction punishable with a $250 fine and a $500 fine for a second violation. A third and any subsequent violations within a 12-month time period may be charged as a misdemeanor at the discretion of the city attorney, with a possible $1,000 fine.
Interestingly, the 2023-24 Orange County Grand Jury issued a 24-page report with the title “E-Bikes: Friend or Foe” that required the county’s 34 cities to respond within 90 days to the jury’s findings and recommendations.
Yorba Linda’s response was approved on a unanimous council vote and returned on Aug. 20, 2024. The council’s response stated that one recommendation “will not be implemented in full because it is not warranted.”
That recommendation stated: “Each Orange County city should have specific policies that define the rules of the road for use of e-bikes in their communities by Dec. 1, 2024.”
Yorba Linda’s response to the recommendation added: “The city defers to and relies upon the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the California Vehicle Code to define the rules of the road.”
Jim Drummond is a longtime Yorba Linda resident. He gives his opinion on local issues weekly. Send e-mail to jimdrummond@hotmail.com.