Westlake Village is the latest major city in Southern California to draw a hard line on electric bicycle use in pedestrian spaces.
Earlier this month, the Westlake Village City Council unanimously approved a city ordinance banning the use of e-bikes, electric scooters and “other recreational electric mobility devices” from all sidewalks, parks, trails and fields, according to the Acorn.
Riding those electric vehicles on city streets is still permitted, and the ordinance doesn’t apply to mobility devices like electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Violations of the city ordinance will result in fines, the first being $100, before rising to $200 for the second, followed by $500 for the third and fourth, with a misdemeanor charge attached to a fourth violation.
The e-bike crackdown comes amid mounting concerns from citizens over the rise of these high-powered, fast-accelerating bikes and scooters, which range in price from $100-$200 to upwards of $5,000.
Among the highest concerns is young riders tearing up parks and trails meant for foot traffic.
Westlake Village is the latest Southern California city to reevaluate e-bikes and e-scooters on its streets. Hermosa Beach passed an emergency ordinance last year that came with hefty fines for certain violations. In Orange County, the city of San Clemente was working through its own ordinance plans to address concerns from residents.
This past weekend, the Santa Monica Police Department impounded 12 e-bikes described as “illegal off-highway vehicles.”
“While these electric bikes may look street legal, they are not permitted on public roads, bike paths, or sidewalks,” the Police Department wrote in a social media post. “These vehicles: often exceed 40 mph, lack operable pedals, and are NOT classified as legal electric bicycles under California law.”
Santa Monica says it is also increasing enforcement of non-street-legal electric bikes due to concerns and complaints from the community.
“If your vehicle doesn’t have pedals or meet California’s e-bike standards, it doesn’t belong on the road,” the Police Department concluded.
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