Administrative
Report
N.2., File # 22-5004 Meeting Date: 11/1/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOE HOFFMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING ELECTRIC BICYCLE OPERATION,
ENFORCEMENT AND EDUCATION IN THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Ensuring driver and pedestrian safety in Redondo Beach is a primary focus of the Police Department.
Consistent with the proliferation of electric bicycles (e-bikes) in the region, there has been a significant increase in the sales and use of e-bikes in the City of Redondo Beach. The surge of electric bicycles has required the Police Department to evolve from traditional methods of bicycle education and enforcement and may require the development of enhanced City ordinances to implement the most up to date safety practices and ensure laws regarding pedal and electric bicycles are understood and closely followed in the community.
BACKGROUND
The City of Redondo Beach, as well as the surrounding beach communities, attract thousands of people throughout the year who enjoy various outdoor activities, especially riding bicycles.
Additionally, the City encourages bicycle riding as a form or exercise and as an alternate, and more environmentally friendly, mode of transportation. A visual increase in electric bicycles became apparent in the City of Redondo Beach in early 2020 and has steadily increased since that time, impacting the roadways, bike lanes, bicycle paths and surrounding spaces.
The City of Redondo Beach is a welcoming community, particularly, for those who choose to utilize bicycles for exercise or transportation. Redondo Beach has implemented bicycle paths and lanes throughout the City which connect commuters and recreationists from one part of the City to the next.
In 2015, the City of Redondo Beach completed the construction of a bicycle lane along North Harbor Drive, which gained national attention. The Los Angeles Magazine described the project as “one of the nation’s best bike lanes,” and rated it number nine on the list of “Top Ten Bike Lanes.” Electric bicycles have become much more prevalent since 2020. Many believe that the onset of the Novel Coronavirus and the push for more environmentally friendly transportation options have caused electric bicycles to grow in popularity. Redondo Beach is now home to store fronts which sell electric bicycles. One long standing business in the City, which primarily furnished pedal bicycles for sale, has closed and a new business which primarily sells electric bikes has opened in its place. Due to their ease of use and accessibility, electric bicycles are used by people of all ages, although some of the laws governing their use differ based on age. Some of the confusion about electric bicycles is compounded due to the various types of electric bicycles that are available and the areas in which
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compounded due to the various types of electric bicycles that are available and the areas in which they may be lawfully operated.
The City of Redondo Beach has four types of bike lanes and/or paths which may be accessed by electric or pedal powered bicycles.
Class I: The bike path is separated from vehicle traffic, however, it is a shared space with pedestrians. An example of a Class I bike path is at the beach adjacent to the sand and the North Redondo Bike Path, which traverses North and South along the Southern CA Edison Right of Way in the 2500 blocks between Robinson Street and Rockefeller Lane.
Class II: The bike lane is separated from the roadway by a painted line only and pedestrians must stay outside of the bike lane. Examples of Class II bike paths are on Torrance Boulevard and Grant Avenue.
Class III: Bicycles are mixed with other vehicles. Signage may exist however painted lines do not delineate the lanes. An example of the Class III bicycle lane is on the Esplanade from the 500 block to the 800 block. These paths are less frequent in our City as they offer less protection for users.
Class IV: Bicycles are separated from pedestrians and vehicles by a physical barrier. Vehicle parking is prohibited on both sides of the path. An example of a Class IV bike path is on Harbor Drive, between Pacific Avenue and Herondo Street.
Electric bicycles are manufactured in three different classes:
Class I Electric Bicycle: A pedal assisted bicycle which operates at slow speed. The bicycle is equipped with an electric motor, however, only will provide motorized assistance when the operator is pedaling. The Class 1 electric bicycle will not accelerate any faster than twenty miles per hour. A Class 1 electric bicycle may be operated on any roadway or path that a pedal bicycle can be operated on. Riders seventeen years or younger must wear a helmet.
Class II Electric Bicycle: Equipped with a throttle to assist with pedal power. Also, the bicycle has an electric motor which can exclusively propel the bicycle without the rider having to pedal. A Class II electric bicycle motor will deactivate upon reaching twenty miles per hour.
These electric bicycles can be operated on the same roadways or paths as pedal bicycles.
Riders seventeen years or younger must wear a helmet.
Class III Electric Bicycle: The electric bike is equipped with an electric motor which assists the rider pedal up to a speed of twenty-eight miles per hour. The rider must pedal to utilize the electric motor. The operator of a Class III electric bicycle must be a minimum of sixteen years of age, wear a helmet and cannot transport a passenger, regardless of age. These electric bicycles are prohibited to be operated on Class I bike paths.
All bicycles must obey the rules of the road as established in the California Vehicle Code. Some of the more common vehicle code sections that are violated and which apply to bicycles are:
21200(a)(1) CVC- A person riding a bicycle has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions
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applicable to the driver of a vehicle, including driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. 21201 CVC- Proper equipment necessary to lawfully operate a bicycle:
· Proper breaking equipment
· Proper bicycle size
· Proper lighting equipment and reflectors
21202(a) CVC- Ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when:
· Overtaking or passing another vehicle
· Making a left turn at an intersection, or into a private road or driveway 21204(b) CVC- (Riding double) An operator shall not allow a person riding as a passenger on a bicycle, other than upon a separate seat attached thereto. 21208(a) CVC- Rider must use the bicycle lane, if established, if traveling at less than normal speed for traffic.
21650.1CVC- Bicyclist must travel the same direction as vehicles on the roadway 22450(a) CVC- Bicyclists must stop at the limit line for any posted stop sign 27400 CVC- Bicyclist may not wear a headset covering both ears The City of Redondo Beach has enacted some Municipal Code sections governing the use of bicycles in the City. Some of the more common Municipal Code violations related to bicycle operations in the City are:
3-1.03- Prohibited bicycle, skateboard and roller skate riding on certain sidewalks, ramps and parking structure areas. These areas, such as the sidewalk along The Esplanade require posted signage. 4-35.14- Roller skating, in-line skating and bicycle riding in parks. 12-2.07- Bicycle riding is prohibited on any portion of any pier, wharf, public area, parking structure or city-owned property where posted.
Bicycles and motorists are generally required to share the roadway. The California Vehicle Code and Redondo Beach Municipal Code provide the framework for both to safely coexist. Violation(s) of the codes could cause unsafe roadway conditions and will likely result in the issuance of citations. Along with enforcement the Police Department continues to engage the community in an effort to educate the public regarding laws related to bicycle use.
The Police Department posts electric sign boards in both North and South Redondo Beach to remind the community to be mindful of the rules of the road, such as to stop at all posted stop signs. School Resource Officers worked collaboratively with the Redondo Union High School students to make an e-bike video which was posted on social media. The video describes electric bike and pedal bike rules of the road. Additionally, officers have disseminated educational material to students regarding bicycle safety. A sign with bicycle safety tips has also been posted in the bicycle rack area on the
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bicycle safety. A sign with bicycle safety tips has also been posted in the bicycle rack area on the high school campus.
The Police Department recently applied for, and received a grant in the amount of $150,000, from the CA Office of Traffic Safety. The City Council recently appropriated the grant funds to the FY 2022-23 operating budget. The funding will assist in paying Police Officers to, among other details, conduct bicycle enforcement and education.
Police Officers have conducted two community meetings in the City as well as provided presentations to both the Police Department’s Community Engagement Board and the Public Safety Commission, to discuss the current education and enforcement efforts related to pedal and electric bicycles. Informational bulletins are regularly distributed to the community through the Neighborhood Watch program and press releases are provided to the media to reach a greater viewing audience.
Previously, using grant funding, Redondo Beach Police Officers conducted bicycle educational rodeos in all of the middle and elementary schools in the district. The personnel at the rodeos taught bicycle safety and provided safety inspections of bicycles. Also, helmets were provided to those in need, at no cost.
Since 2020, 501 bicycle enforcement stops were made in the City. As a result of those enforcement stops 221 citations were issued. During this same time period 139 collisions involving bicycles were reported. The records management system is not capable of providing specific information between bicycle and electric bicycle statistics, therefore the information provided encompasses all bicycles.
Presently, the City of Hermosa Beach has a city ordinance related to electric bicycle use. The ordinance prohibits an electric bicycle from being utilized under power on the bicycle path. The ordinance does not address any other portion of the City of Hermosa Beach. The Cities of Torrance, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach and El Segundo do not have any City ordinances in place which specifically regulate electric bicycle use.
Bicyclists are required to follow traffic laws as they pertain to bicycle operations. Drafting an ordinance to establish more restrictive guidelines on the use of electric bicycles may encourage more rider safety, especially in specified areas. For instance, an ordinance may prohibit electric bicycles in certain areas, such as school zones (during school hours) and/or certain class bike paths. An ordinance could regulate the speed in which a rider may ride an electric bicycle in certain areas, such as shopping districts, bike paths or school zones. An ordinance may also reinforce existing law such as prohibiting juveniles from riding an electric bicycle without a helmet or after 10:00 PM.
The City of Redondo Beach has been instrumental in developing a culture of bicycle riding in the community to both enhance ways to exercise and as a mode of clean transportation. While the Police Department and other City Staff have provided a robust response to bicycle safety, the surge of electric bicycle use in the City of Redondo Beach may require the Police Department to alter its response in education, engagement and enforcement.
COORDINATION
This item was prepared in coordination with the City Manager’s Office and Public Works Department.
N.2., File # 22-5004 Meeting Date: 11/1/2022
FISCAL IMPACT
Preparation of this discussion item is within the Police Department’s operating budget.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
Presentation - Electric Bicycles