TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Vice Mayor Pam Foley
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: April 27, 2026
Approved Date 04/27/2026
SUBJECT: Spring 2026 Intergovernmental Relations Report
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the memorandum authored by Mayor Mahan and Councilmembers Candelas, Campos, Cohen, and Kamei dated 04/24/26 with the following additional direction:
1. Ensure that the City does not take a supportive position on any legislation that unduly restricts access to electric bikes as a transportation mode. Staff should assess the equity and mobility impacts of proposed legislation alongside safety benefits before adopting a position.
2. Before taking a formal position on any legislation affecting electric bikes, staff and the state lobbying team should engage relevant local stakeholders, including the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), if such engagement does not impede the City from meeting legislative deadlines.
BACKGROUND
The memorandum submitted by Mayor Mahan and Councilmembers Candelas, Campos, Cohen, and Kamei rightly calls attention to the serious and growing safety risks posed by unregulated e- bike use, and the City should move quickly to strengthen its advocacy posture at the state level.
However, it’s important to note that crashes involving automobiles continues to represent the vast majority of fatal and severe injury collisions in the City of San José. E-bikes serve as an important mobility tool for many San José residents, particularly those who rely on them as an affordable alternative to car ownership. As the City pursues stronger safety regulations, it should ensure that its advocacy reflects both the goals of safer streets and preserved access to this mobility tool.
Meaningful stakeholder engagement is essential to striking that balance. Organizations such as the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and the BPAC represent constituencies that are directly CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: 04/28/2026
FILE: 26-469
ITEM: 3.4
affected by both the safety risks and potential regulatory burdens. Engaging these groups before the City takes formal positions will produce better-informed advocacy, build community trust, and help ensure that San José's voice at the state level reflects the full range of perspectives in our community.