CARLSBAD CRACKING DOWN ON ELECTRIC BICYCLES

Violators could be fined up to $100 under new ordinance

Carlsbad has written a new ordinance to reduce the rapid increase of accidents involving electric bicycles, scooters and other motorized mobility devices.

Police officers documented 39 collisions involving bicycles or e-bikes in 2020, then 63 collisions in 2021. With 19 so far this year, the number is on track to set a new record, Sgt. Scott Merritt told the Carlsbad City Council last week.

Injuries occurred in 163 of the 186 bicycle or e-bike collisions reported to police between January 2019 and December 2021. Also, the operator of the bicycle or ebike was at fault in 72 of 99 collisions reported from January 2020 through July 2021, according to the Police Department.

“It’s caused us great concern,” Merritt told the City Council. Also, an increasing number of children ride electric bicycles to school, and police have received numerous complaints about dangerous behavior close to campuses and in nearby neighborhoods.

Under the new rules, ebikes and other motorized mobility devices will be prohibited on public sidewalks, drainage ditches, culverts, channels, athletic courts or gyms.

Also, riders must take care and reduce speed when necessary. They can’t carry passengers on the handlebars or rear bike racks that are not specifically made for additional riders. And on trails less than 5 feet wide, the rider must get off and walk the bike within 50 feet of a pedestrian.

Unsafe operators could be fined up to $100 under the new ordinance, but firsttime violators will be encouraged to complete a Police Department safety course in lieu of paying the fine.

“The ultimate goal is to enforce the law while educating e-bicycle and other mobility device operators on safety and the rules of the road,” states a city staff report.

Without a local ordinance, e-bike violators can only be cited under the Cali

fornia Vehicle Code, which has limited applications for electric bicycles and other personal mobility devices.

The local ordinance will regulate “a broad range of careless or reckless conduct,” said Deputy City Attorney Marissa Kawecki.

It will give police more control and applies to a broad range of conduct when using small, electricity-powered vehicles including Segway scooters and motorized boards, she said.

Mobility devices used by people with disabilities are not covered by the ordinance.

The city’s Traffic and Mobility Commission voted unanimously March 7 to recommend approval of the ordinance.

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to introduce the ordinance and is expected to adopt it April 5. If so, it would take effect May 5.

San Marcos adopted a similar ordinance earlier this month. Most cities in San Diego County continue to follow the state guidelines for e-bikes.