July 29, 2024
The Honorable Maria Hernandez
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of California
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: Response to the 2023-24 Orange County Grand Jury Report re E-bikes Friend or Foe.
Dear Judge Hernandez,
In accordance with Penal Code 933.05(a) and (b), t he City of Garden Grove submits the following response to the report, finding s, and recommendations of the 2023-24 Orange County Grand Jury Report titled “E-bikes Friend of Foe”.
FINDINGS
F1. 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.
Response: The City of Garden Grove agrees with the above finding.
F2. Due to the increasing incidence of E -Bikes injuries and deaths, there is a need for consistent and accurate tracking by law enforcement and first responders, which does not exist now.
Response: The City of Garden Grove agrees with the above finding.
F3. Training and education on E-bike use and safety varies from city to city causing confusion amongst bike riders.
Response: The City of Garden Grove agrees with the above finding.
RECOMMENDATIONS
R1. Each Orange County city should have specific policies that define the rules of the road for use of E-bikes in their communities by December 1, 2024.
Response: The recommendation has yet to be implemented but will be implemented in the future (before December 2024). The City is fully committed to collaborating with the County
and its fellow municipalities on specific policies for E -bikes. Although Garden Grove does not have some areas, such as bike paths, boardwalks, etc., that may generate increased complaints in some cit ies, the City does have issues with E -bikes on city streets involving vehicles and pedestrians. Recently, members of the Traffic Unit met and collaborated with Huntington Beach PD regarding their municipal codes related to E -bikes and the future of enforcement and education.
R2. Each Orange County city should have a mechanism in place to report accidents, injuries and deaths involving E-Bikes by December 1, 2024.
Response: The recommendation has been implemented. The City is fully committed to continuing our collaboration with the County and its fellow municipalities to accurately report statistics related to E -bike accidents that involve injuries or death. Since July 2024, the Garden Grove Police Department has upgraded and purchased software to accuratel y document and report injuries and/or deaths related to E-bikes.
R3. Each Orange County city should re search and develop outreach and education programs regarding the safe operation of E -bikes for their residents by December 1, 2024.
Response: The recommendation has been implemented. The City is fully committed to continuing our collaboration with the County and its fellow municipalities to increase our outreach and education regarding the safe operation of E -bikes. Garden Grove’s Traf fic Unit has obtained the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant in several areas related to E -bike outreach and education. Garden Grove received $23,000 from the OTS grant to conduct eight highly visible bicycle and E-bike enforcement and education operations. Lastly, Garden Grove received $4,000 from the OTS grant for Bicycle and E -bike safety presentations. These presentations will be held at middle and high schools throughout the city.
Social media campaigns related to bicycle and E-bike safety have been shared across multiple social media outlets. Additionally, the Traffic Unit has taught E -bike laws to the entire Police Department and routinely updated any new laws. The Traffic Unit plans on providing brochures at E-bike stores throughout the city to parents and children purchasing E -bikes in Garden Grove. These brochures will address safe riding practices and the rules of the road for E-bikes.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Grand Jury ’s report. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Shawn Park, Assistant to the City Manager, at (714) 741-5371 or by email at [email protected].
Respectfully Submitted,
Steven R. Jones
Mayor of Garden Grove