Waive full reading and introduce by title only Ordinance No. 281 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Canyon Lake, California, Adding Chapter 14.03 of the Canyon Lake Municipal Code Regulating the Operation of Electric Bicycles, Electric Motorcycles, and Other Regulated Mobility Devices

The use of electric bicycles, motorized scooters, electrically motorized boards, electric personal assistive mobility devices, shared mobility devices, electric motorcycles, off-highway electric motorcycles, and similar mobility devices has increased in communities throughout California, including in residential, recreational, commercial, and mixed-use areas. When operated improperly, these devices can create safety concerns for pedestrians, motorists, bicyclists, children, seniors, persons with disabilities, equestrians, golf cart operators, and other users of streets, sidewalks, parks, pathways, private roads, parking lots, trails, public facilities, private recreational facilities, and commercial areas.

The proposed ordinance would add Chapter 14.03 to the Canyon Lake Municipal Code to establish local regulations governing the operation of electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and other regulated mobility devices. The ordinance is intended to supplement, and not conflict with, the California Vehicle Code or other applicable state or federal law.

The ordinance establishes definitions for regulated mobility devices, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, noncompliant electric vehicles, pedestrian facilities, bicycle facilities, public facilities, private roads, private common areas, private commercial areas, and authorized private enforcement areas. These definitions are intended to address the increasing variety of devices being operated in the community, including high-powered electric motorcycles and off-highway electric motorcycles that may be marketed or operated as “e-bikes” even though they do not meet the California Vehicle Code definition of an electric bicycle.

The ordinance would prohibit unsafe operation of regulated mobility devices, including reckless or careless operation, unsafe speeds, failure to yield, riding against traffic, stunts, wheelies, jumps, racing, speed contests, unsafe group riding, unsafe passing, carrying passengers or objects in an unsafe manner, towing or clinging to vehicles, distracted operation, operation under the influence where prohibited by state law, and conduct that intentionally or recklessly frightens, harasses, or threatens others. It also restricts operation on sidewalks and pedestrian facilities, in parks and public facilities, and on trails or pathways where prohibited by signage or City designation. The City Manager would be authorized to designate City-controlled areas where operation is prohibited or subject to additional restrictions based on public safety, congestion, special events, maintenance, emergency conditions, or other operational concerns.

The ordinance also addresses electric motorcycles and noncompliant electric vehicles. It prohibits operation of electric motorcycles, off-highway electric motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and noncompliant electric vehicles on public streets, sidewalks, pedestrian facilities, bicycle facilities, parks, trails, public facilities, private roads, private parking facilities, private common areas, private commercial areas, or authorized private enforcement areas unless the operation is authorized by the California Vehicle Code and the vehicle is lawfully registered, licensed, equipped, identified, and operated for that location. The ordinance further prohibits modifying an electric bicycle so that it exceeds applicable speed, power, pedal, or equipment limits under state law, and prohibits representing or treating a noncompliant device as an electric bicycle.

Because Canyon Lake includes substantial privately owned and privately controlled areas, the ordinance includes a specific framework for private-property enforcement. Under that framework, the City may enforce the ordinance on private roads, private common areas, private recreational areas, parking facilities, parks, beaches, trails, pathways, gates, security areas, and similar areas only after the responsible private entity has adopted substantially consistent rules or incorporated the City’s rules by reference, has filed a written request or consent in a form approved by the City Attorney, has installed required signs and notices, and the City Manager or designee has determined that the area is appropriate for enforcement and placed it on a list of authorized private enforcement areas maintained by the City Clerk. The ordinance preserves private enforcement authority and makes clear that City acceptance of a private-property enforcement request does not create a mandatory duty to provide patrol, dedicated enforcement, security services, or any particular level of enforcement.

The ordinance includes enforcement tools such as administrative citations, infraction citations, misdemeanor prosecution where warranted, public nuisance abatement, removal, seizure, impoundment, cost recovery, and other civil, administrative, or criminal remedies. It also authorizes​​​​​​, where permitted by state law, removal or seizure of devices in specified public safety circumstances and includes procedures for notice, release, safety-course completion, proof of ownership, parental involvement for minors, and recovery of lawful administrative, towing, storage, or related charges. The ordinance further establishes parental or guardian responsibility where a parent or guardian authorizes, knowingly permits, or fails to take reasonable steps to prevent a minor from violating the chapter.

If introduced at this meeting, the ordinance would return to the City Council for second reading and adoption at a subsequent meeting. If adopted, the ordinance would take effect 30 days after adoption.