The City of Westlake Village is getting tough on electric bicycles, addressing residents’ concerns over unsafe riding behavior by users of the motorized conveyances—favored by young people in particular.
On July 9, the City Council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that bans electric bicycles, scooters, motorcycles and “other recreational electric mobility devices,” some costing thousands of dollars, from all Westlake Village sidewalks, parks, trails, fields, and even drainage basins. Riding on city streets is still permitted, however.
Mobility devices recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act, such as electric wheelchairs, are exempt.
The ordinance also prohibits unsafe operation of e-bikes in any public area, and allows Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies to check them during lawful stops to ensure compliance. Mounting complaints about dangerous riding have come from residents in multiple local cities, Westlake Village is the first municipality to take hard action.
Although the city lacks the authority to make its own rules about e-bike riding in privately-owned parking lots, the ordinance extends sections of the California Vehicle Code on speeding, reckless driving and racing to all public properties, as long as proper signage is in place.
In a memo to the council, City Manager Rob de Geus explained that as e-bikes and other vehicles for recreational use have become less expensive, cities have struggled to regulate their increased presence in public spaces.
“Electric vehicles, especially e-bikes and e-motorcycles, can reach speeds of over 40 miles per hour, creating a safety hazard for pedestrians and parkgoers using fields or sidewalks,” de Geus wrote.
“Minors tend to be one of the larger users of electric vehicles and often ride in parks or on sidewalks, creating friction with the intended use of those facilities.”
There have been complaints of conflicts between e-bike riders and pedestrians in Westlake’s Three Springs and Berniece Bennett parks, and damage to turf from e-bikes has also been reported at the former location, according to the city manager.
De Geus noted that, under the California Vehicle Code, e-bikes fall into different classes based on their features and top speeds. These distinctions cause confusion among users, leading to a lack of understanding of proper practices and protocols.
For instance, class 3 e-bikes—which have both pedals and a motor that assists the rider with electric power up to a speed of 28 miles per hour—are allowed only for riders 16 and over, while bikes with electric motors and no pedals are considered electric motorcycles and require a driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement.
The state vehicle code is silent on the operation of most electric vehicles in parks and other public spaces, so regulating their use falls to counties and cities.
Caleb Mott, assistant to the city manager, told the council that Westlake is not the only city facing the public safety hazard of the e-bike “wave”: “It’s all of our neighbors—Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas— they’re all seeing similar problems, too.”
Westlake passed its new regulations as an urgency ordinance, taking effect immediately, because of increased ridership during the summer break and heightened pedestrian and park activity amid the good weather.
A first violation carries a fee of $100, rising to $200 for the second and $500 for the third and the fourth, with the fourth also carrying a misdemeanor charge.
According to Mott, “LASD has been supportive of the draft ordinance as it provides another method for the department to promote public safety in Westlake Village.”
The council was enthusiastic about adopting the motion.
“I’m very excited about this,” said Councilmember Ned Davis. “I’m just glad this is happening before there’s a tragedy that precipitated it.”
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