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HomeMy WebLinkAbout092225-05.1 BICYCLE ADVISORY STAFF REPORT 5.1 TO: Mayor and Town Council September 22, 2025 SUBJECT: Follow up discussion of Bicycles, Scooters and E-Bikes in Town Parks and on Residential Sidewalks BACKGROUND Like many communities nationwide, Danville has seen a rise in e-bike and e-scooter safety concerns, particularly involving youth riders and reckless behavior. Under current law, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) governs the operation of e-bikes and e-scooters. Local agencies cannot impose age restrictions or licensing requirements, with one exception: in 2024, the State Legislature granted Marin County limited authority to pilot an electric bicycle safety program under AB 1778. All other cities remain restricted in their ability to regulate these devices beyond what is authorized by state law. At its July 8, 2025, Study Session, the Danville Town Council directed staff to pursue a coordinated effort that operates within current legal parameters while laying the groundwork for more comprehensive legislative changes. This direction is reflected in the Town’s E-Bike Safety Action Plan (Attachment A), which outlines near- and long- term strategies. As part of this effort, the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission and the Bicycle Advisory Commission have been asked to consider whether updates to the Town’s Parks Ordinance and Municipal Code are warranted, specifically regarding e- bike and e-scooter use in parks and on sidewalks beyond existing restrictions in commercial districts. The Commission began its review at their meeting held on July 28, where members discussed a range of possible regulatory options and received updates from the Transportation Manager and the Chief of Police on educational outreach being pursued, enforcement of current laws, and the partnership with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. At the conclusion of its July 28 meeting, the Commission agreed to continue the discussion at its September 22 meeting with the goal of finalizing a recommendation to forward to the Town Council. In the meantime, at its September 10, 2025, meeting, the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission recommended restricting e-bikes and e-scooters to paved pathways along with establishing a maximum speed limit of 15 mph in Town- Bicycles, Scooters and E-Bikes in Town Parks & Residential Sidewalks 2 September 22, 2025 owned parks. DISCUSSION In response to public concerns about safety risks posed by e-bikes on residential sidewalks—such as high speeds, potential collisions with pedestrians, and conflicts in low- traffic neighborhoods—staff has evaluated potential updates to the Town’s Municipal Code. These options aim to balance safety with mobility needs, while adhering to state law limitations on local regulations. Input from the Police Department highlights that sidewalk enforcement often relies on visibility and community reporting, as officers cannot be omnipresent. 1. Maintain Current Language: Rely on existing Municipal Code provisions that prohibit operating any vehicle, including e-bikes, on sidewalks in a manner that endangers pedestrians or property, without specific bans. Enforceability: Addresses reckless behavior but is subjective, requiring officers to observe violations in real-time. Difficult to enforce proactively without dedicated patrols. 2. Full Ban on E-Bikes from Sidewalks: Prohibit e-bikes and motorized scooters entirely from sidewalks, requiring riders to use streets or bike lanes where available. This does not apply to parks, which is subject to the Parks ordinance. Enforceability: Objective and straightforward; violations can be cited upon observation. Supported by signage throughout neighborhoods. Potential unintended consequences include diverting riders onto roads with higher vehicle volume, increasing the risk of collisions. 3. Restrict to Low-Speed Operation Only: Allow e-bikes on residential sidewalks but impose a maximum speed limit (e.g., 5-8 mph), applicable to Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, with no allowance for Class 3. Enforceability: Moderate to difficult. Enforcing speed limits requires radar equipment, mobile apps, and trained personnel. While signage can aid awareness, estimating speed without tools is subjective. It is also challenging to visually distinguish Class 3 e-bikes from others in the field at a glance or from afar. 4. Designated Residential Zones for Restrictions: Ban or limit e-bikes only on sidewalks in specific high-risk residential areas, such as those near parks, schools, or with narrow sidewalks, based on complaint data. Enforceability: Easier with targeted signage and mapping; allows focused enforcement in problem areas. Clear signs and boundaries would be needed to avoid confusion. Bicycles, Scooters and E-Bikes in Town Parks & Residential Sidewalks 3 September 22, 2025 5. Time-of-Day Restrictions: Prohibit e-bikes on residential sidewalks during peak pedestrian hours (e.g., school commute times or evenings), similar to park models. Enforceability: Supported by signage and timers; objective and explainable, though it requires community education to prevent off-hour violations. 6. Require Dismount in Residential Areas: Require e-bike riders to dismount and walk their bikes when using sidewalks in residential zones, treating them as pedestrians while off the device. Enforceability: Objective and straightforward; violations are easy to observe without requiring pursuit. While this promotes pedestrian safety, it may discourage e-bike use, especially among youth. Asking riders to push heavy e-bikes may be impractical and counter to the intended benefit of choosing active transportation. Clear signage would be essential to support understanding and compliance. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Bicycle Advisory Commission review and discuss the options outlined for residential sidewalks, with particular attention to their potential effectiveness, enforceability, and any unintended consequences. Based on the discussion, the Commission may choose to forward a recommendation to the Town Council regarding possible changes to the municipal code related to e-bikes and e-scooters. Alternatively, the Commission may elect to rank the options instead of advancing a single recommendation. This approach could offer the Town Council a more nuanced view of the Commission’s deliberation and priorities. Prepared by: Allan Shields Transportation Manager Attachments: A – E-Bike Safety Action Plan B – Danville Business Districts Map C – Town of Danville Municipal Code Section 4-19 Page | 1 Town of Danville E-BIKE SAFETY | ACTION PLAN Updated: August 26, 2025 At its public Study Session on July 8, 2025, Town Council directed staff to advance a coordinated action plan to address growing concerns about youth-related e-bike safety. The plan focuses on what the Town can act on now, while also laying groundwork for comprehensive longer-term legislative change. SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TO DATE Community Outreach The objective is to provide clear, accessible information about the different classes of e-bikes and the legal requirements for each, focusing on what younger riders can and cannot operate under state law. The campaign aims to build awareness among students, parents, and the broader community to support informed decision-making, promote safe riding habits, and reduce the risks associated with misuse of high-speed e-devices in shared public spaces. 1.Public Awareness Campaign In addition to the numerous newsletter articles and social media posts on this topic, the Town has also produced: •“Not My Kid” campaign: danvilletowntalks.org/notmykid •Mayor’s “E-Bike Basics” video series (also on danvilletowntalks.org) •E-Bike laws & safety page: danville.ca.gov/ebikes The School District has shared the Town’s safety messaging through its back-to-school communication channels. 2.School Site Visits Danville Police are visiting both elementary and middle schools to ensure administrators understand current e-bike and e-scooter laws - particularly which devices are legal for children under 16. The goal is to promote consistent messaging across campuses and support school leaders in encouraging safe and lawful travel behavior. To date, officers have visited six elementary schools, three middle schools, and participated in the August 26th Street Smarts Assembly. Most principals have been receptive and ATTACHMENT A Page | 2 willing to help educate students and parents. The Town’s goal is to secure full participation from all school sites. 3. E-Bike Safety Checks The Police Department is preparing to launch “E-Bike Safety Check” pop-up events in the upcoming months. These mobile stations are envisioned to be placed in high-traffic areas where youth congregate (parks, schools, and downtown) to offer hands-on guidance for families on how to assess whether a child’s e-bike is legal and safe to ride. Promotion and coordination support will come from Town staff. Any support from other agencies – including the SRVUSD or PTA - would be extremely welcomed. E-Bike Safety Education The Town’s education efforts are focused on the riders most at risk: youth who often lack the training, maturity, or awareness to operate high-speed devices safely in shared public spaces. These efforts aim to deliver clear, consistent safety education through two main approaches: 4. Education Through E-Bike Registration at School Danville has proposed a partnership with SRVUSD to implement a school-based E-Bike Safety & Registration Program, modeled after successful efforts in Lafayette, Marin, and other California communities. The goal of the registration requirement is to ensure that students receive basic e-bike safety education. Key elements include: • A campus permit requirement for students who ride e-bikes or scooters to school • Completion of a basic safety course as a condition for permit issuance The Danville Police Department has offered to lead implementation, including safety instruction, basic compliance checks, and support with logistics. 5. Education Through Administrative Citation The Town is also exploring the use of its administrative citation process as a tool to support education, modeled after a program in place in Irvine for the past decade. Similar to how traffic citations offer the option of attending traffic school, recipients of an e-bike citation would be offered the opportunity to attend an e-bike safety class conducted by the Danville Police Department. Page | 3 If they choose not to participate, the citation would proceed through the court process. The desired goal is to involve both the child and at least one parent or guardian in the class, reinforcing the core intent of the program to educate and promote safer riding behavior - reinforcing safety as a shared value. 6. Enforcement Danville Police continue to enforce existing laws through warnings, vehicle code citations, and impoundments. Violations could include: • Observable California Vehicle Code (CVC) violations • Reckless or evasive riding, including failure to stop for police and dangerous maneuvers in shared spaces • Destruction of public property, such as damage to turf fields or landscaping from stunt riding or skidding It’s important to note that enforcement remains challenging. Many young riders exhibit the same reckless behavior when approached by officers and many flee through crowded sidewalks, parks, or commercial areas - often making pursuit unsafe or impractical. These evasive actions highlight the limits of enforcement alone and underscore the need for broader prevention and education efforts. 7. Local Ordinance Review Both Commissions have engaged in thoughtful discussions about whether updates to existing ordinances are warranted based on safety concerns and observed rider behavior. • Bicycle Advisory Commission began evaluating regulations related to e-bike use on sidewalks at its July 23 meeting. The review is ongoing, and no formal recommendation has been made. The next meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2025. • Parks, Recreation & Arts Commission reviewed the Town’s ordinance governing e- bike use in parks and trails at its July 9 and August 13 meetings. Commissioners expressed concern about reckless riding, particularly on fields and in parks near schools. After extensive discussion, many commissioners indicated a preliminary leaning toward prohibiting e-bikes in parks and fields, with potential variations by e- bike classification. Their next scheduled meeting is September 10, 2025. Page | 4 8. Regional Coordination: E-Bike Safety Working Group Danville is convening a regional, staff-level working group to address youth e-bike safety through shared learning, local coordination, and aligned action. The meeting will include: a. A focused overview of the issue and local tools currently in use b. Interactive breakout discussions on shared priorities c. Report-outs and actionable next steps Breakout sessions will center on: • Education and public outreach • School-based e-bike safety and registration programs • Legislative advocacy to address gaps in current law The goal is to align on pain points, exchange best practices, and begin building a coalition around practical, community-informed solutions to amplify local impact. Legislative Advocacy 9. State Legislation The Town is interest in pursuing a state-level strategy focused on strengthening governance around youth e-bike safety. The intent is to support more consistent, enforceable standards that promote public safety (particularly for young riders) while preserving access to affordable micromobility options. To date: • Initial discussions have been held with State Senator Tim Grayson’s office; and • Initiated discussions and shared local concerns with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s office 10. County-Level Support • Town staff is coordinating with Supervisor Candace Andersen’s office to advance shared goals related to youth e-bike safety, particularly with the Working Group. • Staff has initiated a conversation with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to align priorities, as CCTA explores forming a regional committee to develop a countywide e-bike policy. Danville Business Districts CA Vehicle Code Section 235: A “business district” is an area where at least 50 percent of the property bordering the street is occupied by businesses and a driver can access them from the road. Downtown Blackhawk ATTACHMENT B ATTACHMENT C