Council takes another spin at revising e-bike regs
by Kevin Cody
What Mayor Justin Massey described as a “disconnect between data and perception,” prompted the Hermosa Beach City Council, at its Tuesday, October 10 meeting, to direct staff to update city E-bike regulations.
The perception Massey referred to was the popular belief that e-bikes on The Strand pose a public safety threat. The data referred to Police Chief Paul LeBaron’s Tuesday statement to the council that,“over the past two years there have been zero reports of e-bike accidents on The Strand.”
The chief’s comment came in response to council suggestions that the police increase enforcement to curtail e-bike speeding on The Strand.
“You are suggesting we assign more resources to a problem that statistically doesn’t exist,” the chief said.
Between January and September, the chief said, Hermosa Police made 3,600 traffic stops and issued 1,293 citations. While some were issued on The Strand, the vast majority were issued on Pacific Coast Highway, and Hermosa Avenue, he said.
Last month, the council asked staff a comparison of its e-bike regulations to those in other cities.
City Attorney Patrick Donegan responded at Tuesday’s meeting with a report stating e-bikes are legal in Hermosa on The Strand, and on Pier Plaza if their electric motors are off. He noted that enforcement is difficult because unless the e-bike is speeding, it is difficult to tell if the bike’s quiet motors are engaged.
Donegan told the council that Huntington Beach recently introduced a regulation that allows police to impound a minor’s e-bike if the minor violates the city’s e-bike regulations.
Last month, Donegan said, Manhattan Beach adopted an emergency ordinance that makes e-bike violations, including speeding over 15 mph on the bike path, a misdemeanor, with fines of $500 to $1,000.
Hermosa e-bike violations are infractions, with a maximum fine of $200.
Councilman Rob Saeman introduced a motion directing staff to draft new e-bike regulations that incorporate ideas from the Huntington Beach, and Manhattan Beach regulations.
Councilmember Mike Detoy seconded the motion, but attached a friendly amendment.
“Add regular bicycles,” Detoy said.
The motion passed 5 to 0. ER