October 14, 2025
Agenda Item No. 6
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
David Miner, Chief of Police - 949-644-3701, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Kelley Maslin, Sergeant - 949-644-3694, [email protected] TITLE:
Ordinance No. 2025-29: Adding Section 11.04.085 (Prohibiting the Use of Electric Bicycles and Similar Devices on the Newport Elementary School Playground) and Amending Section 11.04.130 (Exemption) of Chapter 11.04 (Parks, Park Facilities, and Beaches) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code ABSTRACT:
For the City Council’s consideration is a second reading and adoption of Section 11.04.085 (Prohibiting the Use of Electric Bicycles and Similar Devices on the Newport Elementary School Playground) and Amending Section 11.04.130 (Exemption) of Chapter 11.04 (Parks, Park Facilities, and Beaches) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code. The proposed ordinance will update Chapter 11.04 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code to prohibit electric bicycles and other motorized transportation devices on the playground of Newport Elementary School. The ordinance was introduced for consideration at the City Council’s September 23, 2025 regular meeting.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and Conduct a second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2025-29: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Adding Section 11.04.085 (Prohibiting the Use of Electric Bicycles and Similar Devices on the Newport Elementary School Playground) and Amending Section 11.04.130 (Exemption) of Chapter 11.04 (Parks, Park Facilities, and Beaches) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code.
DISCUSSION:
At its September 23, 2025 meeting, the City Council introduced and passed to second reading Ordinance No. 2025-29. The ordinance would prohibit the operation of electric bicycles and similar devices on the Newport Elementary School playground and amend Section 11.04.130 of Chapter 11.04 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code. If adopted, the ordinance would become effective November 13, 2025.
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District operates a public elementary school (Newport Elementary School), bounded by 13th Street, West Ocean Front, 14th Street and West Balboa Boulevard. On February 10, 2015, the City entered into a lease agreement with the District for the shared use of property south of West Ocean Front between the southerly extension of 13th Street and the southerly extension of 14th Street. This area (“Property”) consists of a grass playing field, a blacktop playground and a sand playground area. When the Property is not in use by the District for school activities it is open to the public.
The blacktop playground includes several basketball courts and handball courts. It is frequently used outside of District hours for recreational activities such as hockey. The sand playground consists of a jungle gym adjacent to the blacktop playground. The sand playground is regularly used by young children and families.
The Newport Beach Police Department, in response to complaints about excess e-bike speeding on the Peninsula Boardwalk, conducted a targeted operation in Spring 2025 aimed at increasing boardwalk safety.
While conducting increased enforcement on the boardwalk near Newport Elementary School, officers observed a significant increase in the use of e-bikes, other motorized bikes, motorized boards and motorized scooters on the Property, particularly at the blacktop playground. Users were observed riding at excessively fast speeds, performing tricks, “wheelies” and other potentially dangerous bike maneuvers that conflict with other recreational activities at the Property. The use of e-bikes, which can reach top speeds of up to 28 mph, pose an unreasonable risk of injury to other users of the Property, who may not be watching for an e-bike while engaging in sports activities or play, and to young children utilizing the sand playground.
To maximize public use, safety and enjoyment of the Property, the Police Department recommends an amendment to NBMC Chapters 11.04 (Parks, Park Facilities, and Beaches) to prohibit the operation of e-bikes, electrically motorized boards, any motorized bicycles and motorized scooters from operating on the Property when the Property is not in use by the District. This generally includes weekends, school holidays, school recesses, vacations, and breaks, and weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A – Ordinance No. 2025-29
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Ordinance No. 2025-29: Adding Section 11.04.085 (Prohibiting the Use of Electric Bicycles and Similar Devices on the Newport Elementary School Playground) and Amending Section 11.04.130 (Exemption) of Chapter 11.04 (Parks, Park Facilities, and Beaches) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code October 14, 2025
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CITY OF
CITY OF
City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT NEWPORT BEACH NEWPORT BEACH City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
NEWPORT BEACH
NEWPORT BEACH