1 Ordinance No. 2026-626
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CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-626
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS, ADDING CHAPTER 12.22 TO TITLE XII OF THE HAWAIIAN GARDENS MUNICIPAL
CODE, REGULATING THE USE OF ELECTRIC BICYCLES AND OTHER ELECTRIC MOBILITY DEVICES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHTOF-WAY WHEREAS, the use of electric bicycles and other electric mobility devices has grown in popularity in the City;
WHEREAS, the increased number of electric bicycles and other electric mobility devices on public property and within the public right-of-way has increased the risk of injuries to pedestrians and accidents with other motor vehicles and bicyclists; WHEREAS, the City has a substantial interest in protecting pedestrians and personal property, preserving public property, and maintaining safe use of the City’s parks, roads, and facilities;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that reasonable regulations governing the use of electric bicycles and other electric mobility devices are necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare, and now seeks to regulate the use of electric bicycles and other electric mobility devices on public property and within the public right-of-way; and WHEREAS, the City Council now seeks to add Chapter 12.22 to Title XII of the City’s Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code to regulate the use of electric bicycles and similar devices as follows.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The above Recitals are true and correct and by this reference incorporated herein.
SECTION 2: Chapter 12.22 is hereby added to Title XII of the City’s Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code as follows:
CHAPTER 12.22 – ELECTRIC BICYCLES AND OTHER ELECTRIC MOBILITY
DEVICES
Section 12.22.010 – Statement of Purpose
Section 12.22.020 – Definitions
Section 12.22.030 – Prohibitions
Section 12.22.040 – Posted Signs and Designated Areas
Section 12.22.050 – Exemptions
Section 12.22.060 – Violations and Enforcement
Section 12.22.010 – Statement of Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a comprehensive set of rules and regulations for the use of electric mobility devices, such as electric bicycles, in the City. 2 Ordinance No. 2026-626
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Section 12.22.020 – Definitions
For the purpose of carrying out the intent of this chapter, words, phrases and terms used hereon shall have their ordinary meaning, unless otherwise indicated as follows:
“Chapter” means this Chapter 12.22 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code. “Citation” means an administrative citation issued pursuant to this section to remedy a violation.
“City” means the City of Hawaiian Gardens.
“Code or Municipal Code” means the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code. “Electric Bicycle or E-Bike” shall have the same meaning as defined in California Vehicle Code section 312.5, as it may be amended from time to time, including Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 electric bicycles.
“Electric Mobility Device” means any device, vehicle, conveyance, or equipment that is powered in whole or in part by an electric motor and is designed, used, or capable of being used for the transportation of a person. The term includes, but is not limited to:
1. Electric bicycles;
2. Motorized scooters;
3. Electrically motorized boards;
4. Electric skateboards;
5. Electric unicycles;
6. One-wheel devices;
7. Hoverboards;
8. Pocket bikes;
9. Mini motorcycles;
10. Electric motorcycles;
11. Motorized bicycles or mopeds;
12. Motor-driven cycles;
13. Modified electric bicycles;
14. Surron-style electric motorcycles or similar off-road electric motorcycles;
15. Any similar electric-powered device used for personal transportation. “Enforcement officer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.13.020 of this Code. “Operate” means to ride, drive, propel, control, or otherwise use an electric mobility device for transportation or movement. “Operate” does not include walking, pushing, carrying, or 3 Ordinance No. 2026-626
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otherwise moving an electric mobility device while the motor is not engaged and the person is not riding on the device.
“Unsafe Manner” means operating an electric mobility device in such a way as to constitute a danger to the operator, a passenger, other motorists, other riders, pedestrians in the area, or any personal or real property. It shall also mean to include an act in violation of this chapter, the California Vehicle Code, or any other applicable state or federal law.
Section 12.22.030 – Prohibitions
A. No person shall operate an electric mobility device on public property or within the public right of way, unless:
1. The City has expressly authorized such operation by posted signs, permit, written authorization, adopted plan, or City Council resolution; or
2. Such operation is on a public highway, street, roadway, or designated bicycle lane, where such operation is permitted under applicable state or federal law.
B. No person shall operate an electric mobility device in an unsafe manner. Examples of operating an electric mobility device in an unsafe manner include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Intentionally lifting one or more wheels into the air while operating an electric mobility device;
2. Operating an electric mobility device on a public highway, street, roadway, or designated bicycle lane against the flow of traffic or without regarding for surrounding vehicular traffic and pedestrians;
3. Intentionally swerving or riding around traffic;
4. Carrying more passengers than an electric mobility device is intended to carry;
5. Not obeying posted signs or traffic lights;
6. Operating an electric mobility device while using any handheld electronic device;
7. Operating an electric mobility device on a public sidewalk or on public property, unless specifically authorized to do;
8. Operating an electric mobility device while another individual who is not riding on the electric mobility device is clinging, or attaching oneself, to the electric mobility device;
9. Operating an electric mobility device in a manner that poses a risk of injury to pedestrians, motorists, bicyclists, or other persons; or
10. Operating an electric mobility device in a manner that actually causes injury to another person or damage to personal or real property.
C. Where individuals are authorized to operate electric mobility devices, such operation must be pursuant to all applicable provisions of the California Vehicle Code, this Code, and any other applicable law.
Section 12.22.040 – Posted Signs and Designated Areas
A. The City Manager, or their designee, may cause signs to be posted to identify areas where the operation of electric mobility devices is prohibited, or otherwise regulated.
B. The presence or absence of signage shall not be a defense to a violation of this chapter where the prohibition is otherwise established by this chapter.
C. The City may designate limited areas where electric mobility device operation is permitted on public property, provided that such designation is made by posted signs, permit, written authorization, adopted plan, or City Council resolution. 4 Ordinance No. 2026-626
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Section 12.22.050 – Exemptions
The prohibitions in this chapter shall not apply to the following:
A. Peace officers, law enforcement personnel, fire personnel, emergency medical personnel, code enforcement personnel, public works personnel, or other City personnel operating an electric mobility device in the course and scope of their official duties.
B. City contractors, vendors, or agents operating an electric mobility device with written authorization from the City and within the scope of the authorized work.
C. Persons operating wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, medical scooters, or other mobility assistance devices used by persons for medical purposes.
D. Persons walking, pushing, carrying, or otherwise moving a bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric mobility device while not riding on the device and while the motor is not engaged.
E. Persons operating an electric mobility device in an area expressly designated by the City for such use.
Section 12.22.060 – Violations and Enforcement
A. Whenever an enforcement officer determines that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the enforcement officer may issue a citation in accordance with Chapter
1.13 of this Code.
B. Each act, occurrence, or incident in violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
C. Notwithstanding the amounts authorized by Chapter 1.13 of this Code, any person who violates any provision of this Chapter is subject to administrative fines in the following amounts:
1. A fine of $1,000.00 for a first offense;
2. A fine of $2,000.00 for a second offense, and each subsequence offense within one year of the first offense.
D. Any violation of this chapter constitutes a misdemeanor punishable under Chapter
1.12 of this Code.
E. Any person operating an electric mobility device in violation of this chapter on public property may be directed to immediately cease operation and remove the device from the public property. Failure to comply with a lawful order to cease operation or remove the device may constitute a separate violation of this chapter.
F. Nothing in this chapter limits the authority of law enforcement to tow, store, impound, or otherwise take custody of an electric mobility device when authorized by state law, this Code, or other applicable law.
SECTION 3: The Mayor of the City of Hawaiian Gardens is hereby authorized to affix his/her signature to this Ordinance signifying its approval and adoption by the City Council of the City Hawaiian Gardens.
SECTION 4: The City Clerk of the City of Hawaiian Gardens is hereby directed to attest hereto; and shall cause this Ordinance and its certification to be entered into records of the City Council of the City of Hawaiian Gardens.
SECTION 5: The City Council finds this Ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty, as in this case, that there is no 5 Ordinance No. 2026-626
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possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
SECTION 6: If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or any part thereof, is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase be declared unconstitutional. If for any reason any portion of this ordinance is found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the balance of this ordinance shall not be affected.
SECTION 7: This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Hawaiian Gardens, California on this 12th day of August 2026.
CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
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MARIA TERESA DEL RIO
MAYOR
ATTEST:
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PABLO RUBIO
CITY CLERK