Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: AUGUST 20, 2024
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: STEPHEN BISE, P.E. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR PREPARED BY: JEROME JOAQUIN, ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER
MEME TRINH, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST II
SUBJECT: CITY OF FULLERTON RESPONSE TO ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT E-BIKES FRIEND OR FOE
SUMMARY
The Orange County Grand Jury (OCGJ) released a report titled E-Bikes Friend or Foe with findings and recommendations requiring a response from Orange County jurisdictions on their ordinances, enforcement and education of safe E-bike use in all cities, school districts, parks and unincorporated areas.
PROPOSED MOTION
Review 2023-2024 Orange County Grand Jury report titled Ebikes Friend or Foe.
Approve response letter to the Superior Court Presiding Judge Orange County Grand Jury.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager recommends the Proposed Motion.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
Fiscal and Organization Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The 2023-2024 OCGJ released the report E-Bikes Friend or Foe on June 20, 2024. The report notes E-bike sales rose by 145% (World Economic Forum) from 2020 to 2021. The rise of E-bikes comes with inevitable issues with rider and pedestrian injuries, fatalities, traffic issues, speeding and other related issues. The OCGJ engaged multiple research methods including surveying Orange County mayors and interviewing a major retail bicycle shop representative, the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Central Newport Beach Community Association, among other methods.
The investigation revealed substantial disparities in the regulation, safety measures, enforcement practices, policies and educational efforts concerning E-bikes. Additionally, the report found limited information regarding E-bike incidents, accidents, injuries and basic rules of the road for E-bikes reporting. The OCGJ emphasizes an urgent need for all cities to have standardized ordinances to regulate and enforce safe E-bike usage in cities, school districts, parks and unincorporated areas.
The OCGJ report concludes three main findings:
Most OC cities lack formal ordinances or policies governing E-bikes.
Law enforcement and first responders need consistent and accurate tracking for E-bike injuries and fatalities.
Training and education on E-bike use and safety vary widely among cities.
The OCGJ requires City Council to respond to report Findings F1 to F3 and Recommendations R1 to R3 by September 20, 2024. The attached letter details the proposed City responses.
The City has recently held discussions with several Orange County jurisdictions regarding e-bikes, designating the City of Anaheim as the lead agency to coordinate with the Orange County Transportation Authority and develop a regional ordinance for consideration. The City acknowledges the importance of promoting safe e-bike usage through well-designed regulations, comprehensive data collection, robust education programs and effective enforcement practices as crucial elements for successful active transportation initiatives and ensuring the overall well-being of the community.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Orange County Grand Jury Report
Attachment 2 – Proposed response letter to Superior Court Presiding Judge cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
OC Grand Jury Report Response E-bikes Friend or Foe
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