Officials in Long Beach are looking to enhance safety for e-bike riders and the general public with a new initiative.
The proposed Long Beach “E-BIKES” law (Electric Bicycle Interventions to Keep Everyone Safe) would amend the city’s current municipal code to provide “local safety regulations related to e-bike usage within the city’s public rights-of-way and the Los Angeles County river paths along the Long Beach city limits,” the proposal states.
The proposal, which was submitted by Long Beach Fourth District Councilman Daryl Supernaw, notes that e-bikes have become a popular mode of transportation in Long Beach in addition to the general L.A. area. The rapid growth in popularity, however, has led to some conflicts.
“The increased speed, quiet operation, and accessibility of e-bikes have led to safety-centered conflicts with pedestrians, motor vehicles, and other cyclists on city streets, sidewalks and multi-use pathways,” the proposal explains, adding that constituents have expressed concerns about a lack of a standard e-bike operating procedure for the community.
“Inconsistent state and federal regulatory frameworks have left cities with limited tools to manage how e-bikes operate in local public spaces. Additionally, the absence of clear local regulations for e-bike usage in Long Beach can contribute to unsafe riding behaviors, increased public safety risks, difficulty in enforcement, and a lack of clarity for police, parents and the public on what rules apply to e-bikes,” the proposal further adds.
City officials did note that there are already rules in place for other similar forms of transportation, such as regular bicycles and electric scooters and skateboards, and while there are regulations concerning short-term rented micromobility devices – which include e-bikes – they do not apply to ones that are privately owned.
According to Supernaw’s proposal, ideas that are being floated for the Long Beach e-bike ordinance may include helmet requirements, designated no-ride zones and educational programs for the community. A further step that has been taken by other communities is the designation of the different types of e-bikes by how fast they go.
“A narrowly-tailored regulatory framework in Long Beach would help to balance the interests of transportation accessibility and equity, while reducing conflicts and safety risks in public spaces throughout the city,” the proposal concludes.
Long Beach is not alone in wanting to regulate the use of electric bikes in the community; other cities throughout Southern California, such as Santa Monica, Westlake Village and Hermosa Beach, have all started cracking down on e-bikes, particularly targeting young people who ride them dangerously.
You can read the full Electric Bicycle Interventions to Keep Everyone Safe proposal by clicking here.
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