CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
March 9, 2026
TO: City Council
FROM: Police Department
Steve Shorts, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Second reading of Ordinance No. 1367 Amending Simi Valley Municipal Code Section 4-3.22-Bicycles on Sidewalks and Side Paths
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Ordinance No. 1367 be adopted.
BACKGROUND
The attached Ordinance No. 1367 was introduced for first reading at the City Council meeting of February 23, 2026, with modifications.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to adopt Ordinance No. 1367 with modifications.
Prepared by: Darin Muehler, Traffic Bureau Commander
Attachment
Attachment A - Ordinance No. 1367
AGENDA ITEM NO.
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Attachment A
ORDINANCE NO. 1367
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY AMENDING SECTION 4-3.22 OF CHAPTER 3 OF TITLE 4 OF THE SIMI VALLEY MUNICIPAL
CODE, BICYCLES ON SIDEWALKS AND SIDEPATHS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: AMENDMENT OF ORDINANCE NO. 1367, TITLE 4, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 4-3.22.
Ordinance No. 1367, Title 4, Chapter 3, Section 4-3.22 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sect. 4-3.22 - Operation of Bicycles and Other Conveyances on Sidewalks and Sidepaths
(a) Definitions.
The following words and phrases used in this Section shall have the following meanings.
1. “Conveyance” shall have a broad meaning and include a bicycle, electric bicycle, e-bike, moped, scooter, motor-driven cycle, electric motorcycle, pocket bike, or any other electric conveyance.
2. “Class 1 Electric Bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, that is not capable of exclusively propelling the bicycle that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour, and that is not capable of providing assistance to reach speeds greater than 20 miles per hour. A Class 1 Electric Bicycle may have start assistance or a walk mode that propels the electric bicycle on motor power alone, up to a maximum speed of
3.7 miles per hour.
3. “Class 2 Electric Bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
4. “Class 3 Electric Bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, ceases to assist at 28 mph, and includes a speedometer. A Class 3 Electric Bicycle may have start assistance or a walk mode that propels the electric bicycle on motor power alone, up to a maximum speed of 3.7 miles per hour.
5. "Electric Bicycle" or “E-Bike” shall mean a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that does not exceed 750 watts of power, as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5.
2 6. "Unsafe Manner" shall mean violating any provision of the Simi Valley Municipal Code, the California Vehicle Code, or any other applicable law; endangering or potentially endangering the safety of the operator, passengers, pedestrians, or other persons; or disrupting the orderly use of sidewalks, sidepaths, or similar pathways.
(b) Operating a Conveyance in an Unsafe Manner.
1. No person shall operate any conveyance in an unsafe manner on any public sidewalk, pedestrian sidepath, park pathway, or any other public right-of-way that is primarily intended for pedestrian use, within the City of Simi Valley.
2. No person shall tamper with or modify an electric bicycle so as to change the speed capability of the bicycle, unless he or she appropriately replaces the label indicating the classification. It shall be unlawful to operate an electric bicycle which has been modified to exceed 28 miles per hour upon any roadway, sidewalks, trail or other public property in the City.
(c) Examples of Operating a Conveyance in an Unsafe Manner.
The following non-exclusive list provides examples of conduct deemed to constitute operation in an unsafe manner:
1. Failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians;
2. Riding at a speed greater than fifteen (15) miles per hour or at a speed that is unreasonable or imprudent for the conditions then existing;
3. Operating a conveyance in a manner for which it was not designed, including but not limited to carrying passengers if the device is not equipped to do so;
4. Performing stunts, such as lifting one or more wheels from the ground ("wheelies") or swerving unnecessarily;
5. Riding against the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, where applicable;
6. Disregarding posted signage prohibiting or limiting such operation;
7. Operating any such conveyance while under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
8. Permitting a person under eighteen (18) years of age to ride without a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet as required by law.
(d) Tampering with Manufacturer Serial Number or Label.
No person shall remove, destroy or otherwise alter any serial number permanently stamped or cast on the frame of a bicycle or other conveyance by its manufacturer.
Each electric bicycle shall also bear a permanent, prominently affixed label containing its classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage, printed in Arial font at a minimum of 9‑point type.
3 Equipment.
1. All persons under 18 operating or riding as a passenger upon a bicycle or conveyance on a public street, public right-of-way, public place, or place open to the public for vehicle and pedestrian travel must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.
2. No person shall operate a bicycle or electric bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
3. All bicycles and electric bicycles shall have reflectors affixed to both the front and back wheels and on the rear of the bicycle or electric bicycle.
4. Electric bicycles shall be equipped with pedal reflectors and a red rear reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear during all hours and pedal reflectors.
5. All bicycles and electric bicycles operated during darkness shall be equipped with a lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the ground in front of the bicycle or electric bicycle and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.
(e) Regulation by Signage.
The City Traffic Engineer is authorized to install signage prohibiting or regulating the operation of any conveyance covered by this section, as necessary for public health and safety.
(f) Enforcement.
1 . Penalty for violations. Every person violating any provision of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided for in Chapter 8 of Title 1 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code.
2. Violations by minors. Any minor who is cited for violating this section shall have their parent or legal guardian jointly and severally liable for the administrative fine issued. With respect to minors whose E-Bike activities are in violation of this section and where such activities result in damage to public property, the City may, pursuant to California Civil Code Section 1714.1, pursue a civil complaint in tort against the minor’s parent or legal guardian having custody and control of the minor for the recovery of such property damage.
3. If an officer removes a vehicle pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a),of 22651.08 CVC, the owner, violator, or the parent or legal guardian of the owner or violator will be required to deliver proof that the violator has completed an electric bicycle safety and training program, as described in Section 894 of the Streets and Highways Code, or a related local bicycle safety course. 4 (g) Exemptions.
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his section does not apply to mobility devices used by persons with disabilities, including powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
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ECTION 2: Invalidity. If any part of this Ordinance or its application is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the City Council intends that such invalidity will not affect the effectiveness of the remaining provisions or applications and, to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are severable.
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ECTION 3: Electronic Signatures. This Ordinance may be executed with electronic signatures in accordance with Government Code §16.5. Such electronic signatures will be treated in all respects as having the same effect as an original signature.
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ECTION 4: The City Clerk is directed to certify the passage and adoption of this Ordinance; cause it to be entered into the City of Simi Valley book of original ordinances; make a note of the passage and adoption in the records of this meeting; and, within 15 days after the passage and adoption of this Ordinance, cause it to be published or posted in accordance with California law.
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ECTION 5: This Ordinance will take effect on the 30th day following its final passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 9th day of March, 2026.
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ttest:
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______________________________ ________________________________ Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Mayor of the City of Simi Valley, California
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PROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
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______________________________ _________________________________ Algeria R. Ford, City Attorney Samantha C. Argabrite, City Manager ___
_____________________________
Charles “Steve” Shorts
Chief of Police
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