That the City Council APPROVE THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. CC 2025-__ ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 10.46 ("ELECTRIC MOBILITY DEVICES") OF TITLE 10 ("VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC") OF THE LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MOBILITY DEVICES IN THE CITY AND FINDING THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA).

At its Regular Meeting of June 16, 2025, City Council directed staff to develop an e-bike ordinance and schedule a public hearing to present proposed municipal e-bike regulations to City Council for review and approval.

Electric bicycles (e-bikes) have become increasingly popular with consumers, and are increasing in use both in La Habra and throughout Orange County, providing affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly mobility options. However, the rapid growth in e-bike use, particularly among minors and inexperienced riders, has raised concerns about public safety, compliance with traffic laws, and pedestrian interactions. E-bikes pose a higher risk of serious accidents and injuries when compared to conventional manually peddled bicycles.
 

In 2024, the Orange County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) issued a report titled "E-Bikes: Friend or Foe?" (Attachment 1), which examined the impact of e-bikes on local communities, highlighted regulatory gaps, and recommended that cities adopt or update policies that define the rules of the road for use of e-bikes, establish a mechanism to report accidents/injuries/deaths, and develop education/outreach programs related to e-bike usage.

In response to the Grand Jury's findings and growing community concern, staff developed a proposed Ordinance (Attachment 2) to regulate the operation of e-bikes in the City of La Habra. The ordinance seeks to balance the benefits of e-bike use with the need to protect public safety, particularly in areas frequented by pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles.

The proposed Ordinance has been designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of La Habra residents, businesses, and visitors by regulating the operation of electric mobility devices. The City supports the usage of electric mobility devices as an alternative mode of transportation, but recognizes that increased usage has created safety concerns among operator interactions with other pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles, warranting a higher level of regulation. The CEQA exemption determination is due to the proposed changes not having the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. In addition to the Ordinance, the La Habra Police Department (LHPD) will utilize computer-aided dispatching (CAD) and records management systems (RMS) already in place to track accidents, injuries, and deaths related to e-bikes.

Lastly, if approved by City Council, LHPD will establish marketing, training, and education platforms for the community that will be specifically targeted to school-aged children in partnership with the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (Sonora and La Habra High schools), the Lowell Joint School District (LJDS), and the La Habra City School District (LHCSD). E-bike safety tips on school campuses will be provided through School Resource Officers (SROs), on-line courses through the California Bicycle Coalition, and printed materials made available at campuses and community events. The LHPD will also collaborate with the school districts to distribute information about e-bike safety through existing social media accounts.

Staff has researched e-bike regulations adopted in other local jurisdictions, and has worked with the City Attorney's office to help draft the proposed ordinance. The proposed ordinance reflects best practices in e-bike regulation and demonstrates La Habra's commitment to community safety and responsible mobility options. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the first reading of the Ordinance.

There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the adoption of this ordinance; however, there will likely be nominal future costs associated with the development and distribution of education and outreach materials, along with signage where necessary. There are several park and trail rules and regulations signs that will also require updating should the City Council approve the Ordinance. The La Habra Police Department will work with the Public Works Department to take an inventory of existing signs to determine which signs will need to be updated.

This action is consistent with the following areas of the General Plan: PS 1.2
It is also consistent with the following City Council Goals and Objectives: Goal 1- Protection of Public Safety