CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
November 19, 2024 10b
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORONADO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 56.02.020 RELATING TO DEFINITIONS OF MOTORIZED MOBILITY DEVICES, AMENDING SECTION 56.08.060 RELATED TO ELECTRIC BICYCLES, AND ADDING SECTIONS 56.18.050 AND 56.18.060 TO THE
CORONADO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO MOTORIZED MOBILITY DEVICES AND ADOPTION OF AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE SAFETY PILOT PROGRAM; AND ADOPTION OF A
RESOLUTION PROHIBITING RIDING OR OPERATING A BICYCLE UPON THE SHORES
BOARDWALK
RECOMMENDATION:
Introduce Ordinance No. 2024-09 “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Coronado, California, Amending Section 56.02.020 Relating To Definitions of Motorized Mobility Devices, Amending Section 56.08.060 Related to Electric Bicycles, and Adding Sections 56.18.050 and
56.18.060 to the Coronado Municipal Code Related to Motorized Mobility Devices and Adoption of an Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program”; and Adoption of a Resolution Prohibiting Riding or Operating a Bicycle upon the Shores Boardwalk.
BACKGROUND:
Like many communities in our region, over the past few years the City of Coronado has experienced a rise in the number of electric bicycles (e-bikes) operating on City streets and bike paths. The City continues to receive concerned messages and complaints from residents about operation of these vehicles. Concerns ranged from e-bike operators’ lack of helmets, to use on sidewalks with potential for pedestrian collisions, to reckless speeds, to inattention and carrying too many passengers. The City’s Mobility Commission likewise took up the issue again in July 2024.
In response to growing community and City Council interest, staff initiated several actions in 2022 and 2023 to examine e-bike use and develop potential policy solutions to increase safety last year. On December 6, 2022, May 2, 2023 and October 15, 2024 City Council received a report on enforcement, public outreach and various Safety Strategies as recommended by the City’s EBike Task Force. The ad hoc E-Bike Task Force comprises staff from the Police, Fire, Public Services & Engineering, Recreation and Golf Services and Community Development Departments and the City Manager’s Office to research and explore policy options. The task force examined existing law, current practices and past experience and the policies and programs in other jurisdictions to generate ideas that would fit Coronado’s geography, improve safety and be readily administered.
ANALYSIS:
The growth of the use of e-bikes locally along with other forms of motorized personal transportation merit adoption of additional regulations in order to protect the safety of pedestrians in certain environments as outlined below with a continued focus on public education. Staff reviewed areas of the community for intensity of pedestrian use and potential level of conflict with pedestrians.
Based upon this analysis, on October 15, 2024, City Council approved the following strategies:
1. Adopt an Ordinance regulating “Motorized Mobility Devices” in the following locations with exemptions for public agency personnel and disability accommodations:
All City sidewalks
The Paseo (near the Hotel del Coronado) and the Boardwalk (near the Coronado Shores)
The Promenade along the Glorietta Bay Marina between Glorietta Bay Park and the Bluewater Grill
Users would be required to dismount and walk their motorized mobility devices or utilize nearby roadways. “Motorized Mobility Devices” are defined as electric bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electrically motorized boards, motorized scooters and other similar vehicles.
While they provide recreational opportunities, their popularity increases the probability, likelihood, and gravity of potential injuries to persons and property that warrants reasonable measures and enforcement mechanisms to avoid conflicts.
The draft ordinance included as Attachment 1 includes definitions and prohibitions of Motorized Mobility Devices in the above-mentioned areas and also clarifies that penalties for bicycles also apply to electric bicycles. It also includes exemptions for public agency personnel and disability accommodations.
2. Adopt an Ordinance implementing AB 2234 (Boerner) “Vehicles: Electric Bicycles” Prohibiting E-Bike Use by those Under 12 Years Old
AB 2234 (Boerner) was chaptered into law as an amendment to California Vehicle Code 21214.7 and will be effective January 1, 2025. The bill establishes a “San Diego Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program” until January 1, 2029 that authorizes a local government in San Diego County to adopt an ordinance or resolution that would prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating a class 1 or 2 electric bicycle (note that class 3 bicycles can be only operated by those 16 years and older under the Vehicle Code). The jurisdiction must administer a public information campaign of the resolution or ordinance for at least 30 days before enactment. For the first 60 days after enactment, only warnings of violations may be issued. After 60 days, the violation shall be $25.
The draft ordinance adopting the Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program as authorized by AB 2234 is included as Attachment 1.
3. Adopt a Resolution Prohibiting Bicycle Riding Along The Shores Boardwalk In addition, the City Council also directed staff to introduce clarifying language to ensure that bicycles cannot be ridden on the boardwalk along the Shores due to the narrow nature of the boardwalk, intensity of pedestrian usage and potential for collisions to occur within this area.
The clarification is outlined via Resolution, included as Attachment 2, prohibiting bicycle riding on the Shores Boardwalk. It does not prohibit a person from walking a bicycle on the boardwalk.
On October 15, 2024, the City Council also provided direction for the Council’s 2x2 City / Schools Committee to discuss a student e-bike training and registration program with CUSD, and for staff to consider a set of recommendations from the Mobility Commission ranging from education and training, to signage, to enforcement and recognition for positive behaviors. Those efforts are in progress.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There will be minimal fiscal impact associated with publicizing the prohibition of e-bike operations by those under 12. That and other outreach and enforcement efforts can be achieved with existing budget.
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council may alter prior policy direction or choose not to adopt the ordinance and/or resolution.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
Not Applicable.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
Public notice will be published in the Coronado Eagle & Journal following introduction.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance 2024-09 Related to Electric Bicycles, Motorized Mobility Devices and the Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program (AB 2234)
2. Resolution 2024-66 Prohibiting Bicycle Operation on the Shores Boardwalk Submitted By: City Manager's Office / Tony Winney