City of Carpinteria
City Council Special Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Council Chamber, 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013 5:30 p.m. In-Person Participation Option
Attendance/Viewing Options:
• Attend the in-person meeting at 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013.
Public Comments
• Provide a live public comment during the in-person meeting at 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013.
• Submit a written comment (as either a general public comment or on a specific agenda item) to be distributed to Council Members by 5:00 P.M. on the day before the meeting by either submitting your comment via (1) email to [email protected], or (2) the eComment link on the City's agenda website available at https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/agendas-meetings/.
Please reference the agenda item to which your comment pertains. Although written comments become part of the record, they will not be read aloud at the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENT WILL ONLY BE HEARD CONCERNING THE AGENDIZED ITEM BELOW
E-bike Safety and Explore Potential Strategies
Representatives from State, County, and Local Agencies will meet to (1) identify key challenges in addressing E-bike safety, (2) review current efforts to promote safety and compliance, (3) explore opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders and external partners, and (4) identify additional areas of concern or potential action items. No formal action is required.
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular City Council meeting will be held March 10, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (805) 755-4403 or the City of Carpinteria
COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
March 4, 2025
ITEM FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Electric Bicycle/Electric Conveyance Safety Discussion
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Participate in discussion on electric bicycle/electric conveyance safety and provide direction to staff on next steps, as appropriate.
BACKGROUND
This special meeting is scheduled in response to increasing community concerns about electric bicycle/electric conveyance (E-Bike) safety, compliance, and enforcement in Carpinteria. The growing use of E-Bikes, particularly among students and young riders, has raised concerns regarding traffic violations, pedestrian conflicts, and accident risks on local roads, pathways, and public spaces.
Recognizing the need for a coordinated, multi-agency approach, several stakeholders City Council and City Staff Providing leadership, policy guidance, and operational insights.
Carpinteria Unified School District Addressing student and school-related safety concerns.
California State Parks Discussing E-Bike regulations and safety within the state park.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office Providing insights on enforcement challenges and strategies.
Representatives from State Legislators' Offices Offering perspectives on state policies and legislative actions.
MOVE Santa Barbara County Advocating for safe and sustainable transportation options.
Other community representatives and organizations.
Electric Bicycle/Electric Conveyance Safety Discussion
March 4, 2025
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this meeting is to identify key safety challenges, review current state and regional efforts, and explore collaborative opportunities to enhance E-Bike and EConveyance safety in Carpinteria. Discussion topics will include:
1. Identifying Key Challenges in E-Bike Safety
o Unsafe riding behaviors (excessive speed, failure to yield, sidewalk riding, helmet non-compliance).
o Increasing number of E-Bike-related collisions and near-misses. o Concerns regarding young riders and enforcement limitations.
2. Review of Current Safety Efforts & Regulations
o State Legislation:
Overview of recent laws, including SB 1271 (clarifying E-Bike definitions), AB 1774 (prohibiting speed modification technology), and AB 2234 (restricting younger riders in pilot programs).
Upcoming studies on E-Bike-related injuries and safety impacts. o Regional Initiatives:
Efforts by neighboring cities such as Santa Barbara, Goleta, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo to regulate and promote E-Bike safety.
devices in public parks and beaches.
Enforcement approaches and public outreach campaigns in neighboring jurisdictions.
3. Exploring Opportunities for Collaboration
o Maximizing limited resources through regional partnerships. o Coordinating efforts between schools, law enforcement, local businesses, and advocacy groups.
o Enhancing public education on E-Bike safety, rules, and best practices.
4. Additional Areas of Concern & Potential Action Items o Reviewing possible infrastructure improvements (e.g., bike lanes, signage, speed regulation zones).
o Exploring a Youth Diversion Program for E-Bike violations (similar to o Discussing E-Bike parking, battery safety, and theft prevention strategies. o Assessing the feasibility of implementing administrative fines for unsafe riding behavior.
Electric Bicycle/Electric Conveyance Safety Discussion
March 4, 2025
A handout that details the items listed above will be provided at the meeting and is available as Attachment A.
POLICY CONSISTENCY
This meeting aligns with existing City policies, regional safety initiatives, and state regulations. It supports the City's commitment to public safety, responsible transportation planning, and interagency collaboration to address emerging mobility trends while ensuring policy consistency.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
No Additional Funding Requested.
LEGAL AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Any action items or direction provided to staff will be completed in consultation with the
ATTACHMENTS
A. Handout for Meeting
Staff contact:
Ryan Kintz, Assistant City Manager
(805) 755-4400; [email protected]
Signature
Reviewed by:
Michael Ramirez, City Manager
(805) 755-4450, [email protected]
Signature
ATTACHMENT A
1. Identify key challenges in addressing E-bike safety.
2. Review current efforts to promote safety and compliance. a. State Legislation
b. Regional Initiatives (City of Carpinteria, City of Santa Barbara, City of Goleta, City of Ventura, City of San Luis Obispo)
3. Explore opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders and external partners. a. How can we maximize our limited resources?
b. How can we coordinate efforts for better outcomes?
c. How can we effectively communicate safety information to residents and visitors?
4. Identify additional areas of concern or potential action items. 1 2
3 4
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11 City Council Special Meeting Agenda
March 4, 2025
California Relay Service at (866) 735-2929. Notification two business days prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements for accessibility to this meeting.
Materials related to an agenda item submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public review at the City Clerk's Office, located at 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013 or by going to the City’s website at https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/agendas-meetings/.
This agenda was posted on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in the City Clerk's Office, on the City Hall Public Notices Board, and on the Internet.