E-Bike Municipal Code Update
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Lieutenant C. Fisher
December 15, 2025
OUTLINE
• BACKGROUND & PURPOSE
• CURRENT STATE LAW & EXISTING
ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS
• IDENTIFIED GAPS IN REGULATION
• KEY AMENDMENTS TO THE
TORRANCE MUNICIPAL CODE
• NEW SAFETY -FOCUSED TMC
SECTIONS
• COMMUNITY BENEFITS & SAFETY
IMPACT
• IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
• Significant rise in youth and commuter E -bike usage
• Existing TMC predates modern E -bike technology
• Increase speeds; therefore, increase in collisions, near - misses, and unsafe behaviors
• Need for alignment with California Vehicle Code
BACKGROUND & PURPOSE:
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
CURRENT ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
CVC 21200 Bicyclists have rights/duties of vehicle drivers CVC 21201 Equipment requirements (brakes, lighting)
CVC 21203 No passengers unless bicycle designed for it
CVC 21204 Passenger seating requirements
CVC 21205 Carrying items; must keep one hand on handlebars CVC 21210 Improper bicycle parking
CVC 21212 Helmet requirements for minors
CVC 21200.5 Riding under the influence (BUI)
CVC 21202 Slower-speed lane positioning
CVC 21950–21954 Pedestrian right-of-way obligations
CVC 27400 No headphones/earbuds covering both ears
CVC 231 Definition of bicycle
CVC 312.5 E-bike classifications (Class 1, 2, 3)
GAPS IN REGULATION
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
No prohibition on stunt riding (wheelies, unsafe maneuvers) Limited speed-specific enforcement for bicycles
No handheld device restrictions for bicyclists
No local regulation addressing Class 3 bikes on sidewalks or in parks Current TMC park-use provisions are vague and outdated
Existing §49.2.7 attempts to prohibit “improper use” of parks with broad, generalized language.
Community members frequently report unsafe e-bike riding in parks, but the current code does not explicitly address it.
Modernize outdated bicycle-related provisions
Improve safety for riders and pedestrians
Establish clear, enforceable standards
Align with CVC definitions and expectations
Support education-first enforcement
PURPOSE OF TMC AMENDMENTS:
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
KEY DEFINITIONS
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
SIDEWALK &
SCHOOL PROVISIONS
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
62.1.4(a)TMC : Prohibits bicycles on sidewalks in
business districts, adjacent schools, churches,
recreation centers, or playgrounds.
62.1.4(c) TMC: Prohibits Class 3 E-bikes on all
sidewalks
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
USE OF PARKS UPDATE –
TMC 49.2.7
Prohibits use of Class 3
E-bikes in parks and
recreation facilities
Clarifies improper uses
and unsafe behavior
within parks
Modernizes language
to reflect current
riding behaviors
NEW CODE
SECTIONS
UNSAFE SPEED: 62.1.14 TMC
• Defines 'unsafe speed' for
bicycles and e -bikes
• Considers roadway conditions,
visibility, equipment,
pedestrian traffic
• Allows enforcement before
collisions occur
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEW CODE
SECTIONS
STUNT RIDING: 62.1.15 TMC
• Prohibits wheelies and other
acrobatic maneuvers
• Defines stunt riding consistent
with manufacturer -intended
use
• Addresses a top complaint
from park -goers, schools, and
residents
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEW CODE
SECTIONS
HANDHELD DEVICES: 62.1.16
• Prohibits handheld phone use
while riding
• Hands-free or handlebar -
mounted activation permitted
• Mirrors current law in place for
motor vehicles
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
ELIMININATING
OUTDATED CODE
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
• Removes obsolete bicycle registration
requirements
• Eliminates duplicative or unenforceable
provisions
• Simplifies the code for clarity and
consistency
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY & SAFETY
BENEFITS
IMPLEMENTATION
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Education-first rollout
City-Wide Social Media Campaign
TUSD collaboration for youth outreach
Partnerships with hospitals and local retailers
High-visibility enforcement following education period
IMPLEMENTATION
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
THANK
YOU