Item 317/2024
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: Matt West
Dept:
City Manager Dept: City Manager
Date: 8/13/2024
Subject: Approval to submit a response to the Grand Jury Report, “E-bikes Friend or Foe.” (Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report is for the City Council to approve the attached response to the 2023-2024 Orange County Grand Jury Report, E-bikes Friend or Foe and authorize submittal to the Orange County Grand Jury.
BACKGROUND
On June 20, 2024, the Orange County Grand Jury released its 2023 -24 Grand Jury Report, E-bikes Friend or Foe. The purpose of the report was to investigate how E -bike regulations, education, and safety enforcement have been adopted by Orange County cities and the county in order to strengthen city oversight of safe E-bike use. In compliance with Penal Code 933 and 933.05, the City is required to provide a response to ea ch of the findings and recommendations directed to the City Council by September 19, 2024. Specifically, the City is to respond to three findings and three recommendations.
DISCUSSION
With E -bike sales increasing by almost 145% worldwide over the past tw o years, the regulation of their use has not kept up. According to the Grand Jury report, accidents and incidents related too E-bikes are on the rise, as are complaints from citizens of Orange County about E-bike riders. The Grand Jury investigation into E-bike regulation revealed that outside of the California Vehicle Code, the 34 cities, 13 of which are contract cities with the Orange County Sherriff’s Department, vary significantly in their regulation, safety, enforcement, and education on E-bikes.
The Grand Jury report outlined three findings: (1) The majority of Orange County’s 34 cities do not have ordinances or policies in place, which makes it difficult to address the safe operation and regulation of E-bikes leading to confusion, (2) Due to the increasing incidence of E-bike injuries and deaths, there is a need for consistent and accurate tracking by law enforcement and first responders, which does not exist now, and (3) Training and education Item 317/2024
on E-bike use and safety varies from city to city causing confusion amongst bike riders. The City of Garden Grove agrees with the Grand Jury’s findings.
The Grand Jury report also outlined three recommendations. Cities were advised to (1) establish specific policies that define the rules of the road for use of E-bikes in their communities by December 1, 2024, (2) have a mechanism in place to report accidents, injuries and deaths involving E -bikes by December 1, 2024, and (3) research and develop outreach and education programs regarding the safe operation of E-bikes for their residents by December 1, 2024. The City’s response states that the City has completed recommendations two and three before the deadline and will complete recommendation one before December 1, 2024.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Approve the attached response and authorize submittal to the Orange County Grand Jury.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Response to Grand Jury Report E-Bikes Friend or Foe
2. Grand Jury Report E-Bikes Friend or Foe