From: Garrett, Errica
To: Dept - City Clerk
Subject: FW: E-bike "city" proposed legislation
Date: January 26, 2026 7:55:22 AM
Attachments: image001.png
image002.png
image003.png
image004.png
Errica Garrett
Administrative Assistant
to the Mayor and City
Council
City Manager’s Office
Office: 949-644-3004
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
From: Jane Horsfield <[email protected]>
Sent: January 26, 2026 7:00 AM
To:
[email protected]; [email protected]; Dept - City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: E-bike 'city' proposed legislation
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
Dear City Leaders,
Please consider council discussions and action relating to the escalating problems with unlegislated e- bike riding.
Jane Horsfield
Fountain Valley Resident
Policy Brief: Proposed E‑Bike Safety &
Speed Regulations for Our City (2026)
January 27, 2026
Non Agenda Item
Received After Agenda Printed
Purpose
To improve safety on streets, beach paths, and shared‑use areas by establishing clear, enforceable rules for electric bicycles and similar micromobility devices. This proposal aligns with emerging best practices in major U.S. cities while preserving access to sustainable transportation.
Summary of Recommended Actions
1. Establish a 15 m.p.h. Speed Limit in Shared‑Use
Zones
Applies to:
Beach paths
Multi‑use trails
Parks
School zones
High‑pedestrian areas
Rationale: These areas are experiencing the highest rate of near‑collisions and unsafe riding behavior. A uniform limit simplifies enforcement and improves safety for pedestrians, families, and riders.
2. Set a 20 m.p.h. Limit on Residential Streets
Most residential streets already function at this speed. This rule provides clarity for riders and gives law enforcement a simple threshold.
3. Restrict High‑Speed E‑Bikes to Appropriate
Roadways
Class 3 e‑bikes (up to 28 mph) allowed only in bike lanes or on streets posted 35 mph or higher.
Throttle‑only bikes exceeding 20 mph treated as motorized bicycles under state law.
Rationale: Prevents motorcycle‑level speeds on neighborhood streets and shared paths.
4. Require Tamper‑Resistant Speed Governors on All
New E‑Bikes Sold Locally
Retailers must ensure:
Speed governors cannot be easily removed
Class labels are accurate and verifiable
Bikes capable of exceeding class limits are sold as mopeds Rationale: Closes the loophole allowing 30–40 mph “Class 2” bikes to be sold to minors.
5. Implement Age Requirements That Match Actual
Risk
14+ for Class 1 & 2
16+ for Class 3
Any throttle‑only bike capable of >20 mph requires a driver license (existing state law)
6. Standardize Helmet Requirements
Under 18: helmets required on all e‑bikes
Over 18: helmets required on Class 3 or any bike capable of 20+ mph throttle
7. Prohibit Sidewalk Riding Citywide
Creates consistency and protects pedestrians, seniors, and people with disabilities.
8. Allow Cities to Create “Slow Zones” (10–12 m.p.h.)
Ideal for:
Beachfront corridors
Downtowns
School areas
Tourist districts
9. Introduce Reasonable, Education‑Focused
Penalties
For minors:
Parent/guardian responsible for fines
Mandatory safety class for repeat violations
For adults:
Tiered fines
Impoundment only for extreme or repeated violations
Why This Matters
Our city is experiencing:
Rapid growth in e‑bike use
Increased collisions and near‑misses
Unsafe speeds on beach paths and sidewalks
Children riding high‑powered throttle bikes with no training Difficulty enforcing existing laws due to unclear definitions These recommendations provide clarity, consistency, and enforceability without restricting responsible riders or limiting access to sustainable transportation.
Requested Action
I respectfully ask the City Council to consider adopting these measures or initiating a study session to evaluate micromobility safety and speed regulation options for 2026.
From: Kelsey Schuchert
To: Blom, Noah
Cc: Weber, Sara; Stapleton, Joe; Barto, Michelle; Kleiman, Lauren; Dept - City Council; City Clerk"s Office Subject: Re: Stop Sign Needed - Port Westbourne Place and Newport Hills Drive West Date: January 26, 2026 3:21:02 PM
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
Noah:
I'm following up on my request below that a stop sign or speed bumps be placed at the corner of Port Westbourne Place and Newport Hills Drive West. The closest stop signs are located at the corner of Port Margate/Newport Hills Drive West and Port Seabourne Place/Newport Hills Drive West.
As a result, cars consistently drive above the posted speed limit on Newport Hills Drive West.
For families who live on Port Charles, Port Barmouth, Port Westbourne, and Port Ashley, there is no safe place to cross the street to get to the greenbelt. A child nearly got run over by a car going too fast at this intersection last year. Implementing a stop sign in this location would be an easy solution to prevent a tragedy.
I know that many neighbors support adding a stop sign here. If police radar people driving in this location, they will find that many cars speed because there is a large gap in the placement of stop signs on Newport Hills Drive West. This is especially dangerous in this location because of the number of kids walking to and from school and the the Phase 1 swim team at the end of Port Westbourne Place.
Please let me know what the next steps would be, if there are any other individuals I should contact, and/or what additional information you require.
Best,
Kelsey
Kelsey Schuchert
(c): 949.922.7887
(e): [email protected]
On Fri, May 16, 2025 at 7:10 PM Kelsey Schuchert <[email protected]> wrote:
Noah:
I am writing to request that a stop sign or speed bumps be placed at the corner of Port Westbourne Place and Newport Hills Drive West. The closest stop signs are located at the corner of Port Margate/Newport Hills Drive West and Newport Hills Drive West/Port Seabourne Place.
Cars consistently drive way above the posted speed limit on Newport Hills Drive West. For families who live on Port Barmouth, Port Westbourne, and Port Ashley, there is no safe place to cross the street. A child nearly got run over by a car going too fast earlier this week.
Implementing a stop sign in this location would be an easy solution to prevent a tragedy.
I know that many neighbors support adding a stop sign here. Please let me know what the next steps would be, and what additional information you require.
Best,
Kelsey
Kelsey Schuchert
(c): 949.922.7887
(e): [email protected]