Belmont City Public Safety Committee members met Oct. 20 in the Emergency Operations Center at City Hall and received a traffic-safety briefing focused on e-bikes, a summary of two state traffic grants that will fund education and enforcement, and updates on police staffing and technology.

The presenter from the Belmont Police Department described California’s e-bike class system and emphasized that e-bikes are generally governed by the same traffic rules as bicycles. The presenter said classifications hinge on top assisted speeds and motor power, noting class 1 and 2 bikes assist up to 20 mph and class 3 bikes can reach 28 mph; class 3 use requires the rider to be at least 16 and a helmet is required for class 3 riders. The presenter also told the committee that e-bikes may not be ridden on sidewalks unless local ordinance or signage permits it and that many community members misunderstand where e-bikes are allowed.

The committee discussed enforcement and education strategies. The presenter said the department uses stops to educate riders, may contact parents when appropriate, and plans outreach through school resource officers and social media. The department plans to publish a short safety video within about two weeks to distribute to schools and the community.

Committee members raised difficulty identifying a bike’s class in the field and asked what steps the city can take to separate allowed and prohibited uses on trails and sidewalks. Staff said visual identification is often impractical because classification depends on speed and motor characteristics rather than a single distinguishing mark; enforcement therefore focuses on observed unsafe behavior, education and, when necessary, citations.

The presenter outlined two state grants administered through the Office of Traffic Safety. For 2026, the department said it will receive $47,000 to support traffic education and DUI enforcement overtime costs. A second, separate grant—described as the department’s first year on that program—focuses on impaired driving (alcohol, cannabis, narcotics and prescription drugs) and includes an equipment component the city used to obtain a traffic-enforcement motorcycle. The presenter said the grants reduce direct city costs for overtime and equipment.

The police chief then provided department updates: two officers — Officer Fernando Ramirez and Officer Xavier Charles — have graduated and are in field training; three recruits — Christopher Hardy, Josh Gonzales and Victor Alvarez — are scheduled to start academy training on Monday. The chief said officers completed roughly 2,200 hours of additional training over the prior six months.

The department also reported technology and program updates. The presenter said automated license plate readers (ALPRs) recorded approximately 2,500,000 plate reads in Belmont City over a 30-day period and that the department is reviewing its ALPR policy to align with best practices and legislative guidance. The department described recent drone uses for search and evidence and said a new mental-health clinician will begin in mid-November through the Felton Institute; that position is fully funded by a county grant through June.

Public comment was limited. Resident Trina Patton asked whether the community can readily tell the difference between class 2 and class 3 e-bikes; staff replied that it is difficult for the general public to make that determination and reiterated the department’s focus on enforcement, education and outreach.

The committee also announced a Coffee with a Cop event tentatively set for Nov. 19 at the Carlmont Shopping Center and noted online resources — including the state’s Go Safely California site and a city web page at www.belmont.gov/ebikes — for e-bike rules and education.

Votes and formal committee actions at the meeting were limited to routine business. The consent calendar and minutes were approved by motion. The meeting adjourned at 2:57 p.m.