BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Study Session
on July 1, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
A duly noticed meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in person and via Zoom at 6:02 p.m.
2 . ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Pappajohn, Stevenson MEMBERS ABSENT: None
3 . REQUEST FOR AB 2249 REMOTE PARTICIPATION
There were no requests.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was no public comment.
5. STUDY SESSION
a. DISCUSSION OF REGULATIONS OF MICROMOBILITY
City Attorney Guina stated that at the May 6, 2024 City Council meeting, Mayor Colson and Councilmember Pappajohn requested that a discussion on regulating micromobility devices be agendized. He explained that micromobility devices are defined by the Federal Highway Administration as:
[a]ny small, low-speed, human or electric-powered transportation device, including bicycles, scooters, electric-assist bicycles (e-bikes), electric scooters (e-scooters), and other small, lightweight, wheeled conveyances.
City Attorney Guina stated that micromobility devices are regulated by the California Vehicle Code and/or the Burlingame Municipal Code.
Police Chief Matteucci gave an overview of the types of micromobility devices and the State and City regulations governing them:
Skateboards
• Most regulations governing skateboards apply to rollerblades, in-line skates, and roller skates
• State regulations on skateboards focus on usage of helmets for those under 18 years ol
• City regulations
o Can’t operate on the street or sidewalk in a business district o Can’t operate in any public park or city parking lot
Electrically Motorized Skateboards
• Any skateboard that has a motor on it
• Maximum speed of 20 mph and less than 1000 watts
• State regulations
o Helmets required if under 18 years old
o 15 mph speed limit
o Require lighting at night
o Must be at least16 years old to operate
• City regulations – same as skateboard regulations
Traditional Bicycles
• No motor
• State regulations
o Helmets required if under 18 years old
o Must obey all traffic laws
o No passengers allowed unless specifically designed to do so • City regulations
o Can’t operate on the sidewalk in a business district
o Must yield to pedestrians in public parks and playgrounds
E-Bikes (Class 1)
• Motor that only assists you when you are pedaling (for example Spin Bikes) • Only allows the individual to go up to 20 mph
• State and City regulations are the same as traditional bikes
E-Bikes (Class 2)
• Operates without requiring the rider to pedal
• Only allows the individual to go up to 20 mph
• State and City regulations are the same as traditional bikes
E-Bikes (Class 3)
• Operates without requiring the rider to pedal
• Allows individual to go up to 28 mph
• State Regulations
o Helmets are required for all ages
o Must be at least 16 years old to operate the bike
E-Dirt Bikes
• Resembles an e-bike, but there are no pedals
• Can reach speeds up to 40 to 50 mph
• Not street legal; designed for off-road use only
Motorized Scooters
• Skateboard with handles
• State regulations
o Helmets required if under 18 years old
o Can’t operate on sidewalks
o 15 mph speed limit
o No passengers allowed
o Must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license • City regulations
o Not allowed in business districts
o Not allowed to operate in any public park or city parking lot
E-Go Karts
• Not street legal
Mayor Colson stated that she asked for this item to be agendized because there was a lot of confusion regarding the rules that governed micromobility devices. She added that recently, there was a tragic accident involving a micromobility device and a young student.
Councilmember Brownrigg asked what regulations the City is allowed to do beyond what the State has laid out. City Attorney Guina replied that because Burlingame is a general law city, it follows the regulations of the State. He explained that the City must comply with the California Vehicle Code, but the City can adopt additional regulations as long as they aren’t in conflict with the California Vehicle Code.
Councilmember Stevenson asked about the City’s purview with respect to license and registration requirements for e-bikes. City Attorney Guina replied that he would need to do further research but that the State allows cities to require registration for traditional bicycles.
Councilmember Stevenson asked about passengers on e-bikes. Police Chief Matteucci replied that the bike needs to be designed for two people or have an attached child’s seat. Without one of those two features, it’s not allowed.
Vice Mayor Beach asked about the City’s Code prohibiting skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades from being used at night, even with a light. Police Chief Matteucci replied that the Police Department hasn’t received many complaints about skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades being used at night. He added that he would look into whether this was also a State regulation.
Vice Mayor Beach asked about regulations preventing skateboarding in parks. She suggested that the rules be changed to mirror those for traditional bikes. Police Chief Matteucci agreed.
Councilmember Brownrigg stated that in regard to micromobility devices, his main concerns are their speed and how they interact with other vehicles. He asked if the City could prohibit micromobility devices on certain streets. Police Chief Matteucci replied that the State Vehicle Code prohibits the usage of certain e-bikes and other micromobility devices on roads with certain speed limits.
Mayor Colson voiced concern about the congestion at parks due to micromobility devices. She asked about the possibility of banning all micromobility devices in City parks. City Attorney Guina replied that the City has the authority to regulate on its own property, so the City could implement a ban within its own parks.
Mayor Colson asked about banning these devices in the downtown business districts. City Attorney Guina replied in the affirmative.
Mayor Colson opened the item up for public comment.
Jennifer Pfaff voiced support for regulations of micromobility devices in parks.
TSPC Commissioner Lynn Israelit stated that she was glad the Council was discussing this topic.
She voiced support for implementing some restrictions and requiring registration.
TSPC Commissioner John Martos voiced support for implementing restrictions on micromobility devices.
Ms. Field stated that while micromobility devices are not allowed in the Broadway Business District, the signs are too high for members of the public to see.
Ms. Martin stated that she would like to see more education for the youth regarding these devices.
Mike Swire discussed the importance of micromobility devices in people’s commute. (Comment received via [email protected])
Anthony Montes stated that micromobility devices are helpful for the last mile of people’s commutes and help keep cars off the road. (Comment received via [email protected]
)
Andrea McMahan voiced support for e-bike regulations in Burlingame. (Comment received via [email protected]
)
Mayor Colson closed public comments.
Vice Mayor Beach asked the Police Chief about enforcement. Police Chief Matteucci replied that Burlingame Police do enforce the various micromobility device laws, and the police have been ramping up their enforcement as a result of increased complaints. He added that there are a lot of laws on the book that the police department could use for enforcement, but he’s looking for Council direction. He noted that there are only a finite number of officers and they handle about 120 service calls per day.
Councilmember Brownrigg stated that he would like to see a registration program instituted.
He added that he would like to see public outreach done after new requirements are put in place and thought the Council should consider implementing fines.
Vice Mayor Beach agreed that education would be a huge component. She noted that this topic is very much talked about at the County level. She added that there are some organizations that are looking to get formally certified bike training experts into the schools to educate the youth.
Vice Mayor Beach stated that enforcement is key and wanted to see the police prioritize enforcing the City’s various regulations surrounding micromobility devices.
Councilmember Stevenson stated that he was mostly worried about the speed of the vehicles.
Councilmember Pappajohn concurred with her colleagues that enforcement was necessary and that a registration program would help.
Mayor Colson summarized that Council seemed amicable to a registration program. She thought it was important to understand what the City can and cannot do with regards to age restrictions. She added that there is already a bit of education going on but explained that education alone won’t solve the problem; it has to be done in conjunction with other things.
She agreed with the need for more enforcement.
City Attorney Guina thanked Council for their direction.
Mayor Colson asked if staff could prioritize banning micromobility devices from parks.
Councilmember Brownrigg stated that he thought it was important to distinguish between parks and open spaces like the Bay Trail.
Mayor Colson thanked her colleagues for the discussion.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Colson adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel-Shearer
City Clerk