Glendora police emphasize education over enforcement for e-bikes, low-speed vehicles

Captain Chris Stavio of the Glendora Police Department told the City Council that the department is prioritizing education over tickets as the city adapts to recently popular electric bicycles, motorized boards and neighborhood low‑speed vehicles.

Stavio said the department has focused on school outreach and parent conversations rather than enforcement “because it seemed readily apparent that probably most of these kids … and their parents may not have understood what the law was.” He described a three‑part approach of engineering, education and enforcement and said the goal is compliance through education when possible.

The presentation laid out vehicle classes and safety rules the department is using to guide outreach. Stavio said class 1 and class 2 electric bikes have a 20 mph top assisted speed and do not require helmets for riders 18 and older; class 3 electric bikes have a 28 mph top assisted speed, require riders to be at least 16 and require helmets at all ages. Stavio warned against modified bikes that exceed advertised limits and said motorized boards are manufactured to 20 mph but should be operated no faster than 15 mph; operators must be at least 16 and must wear helmets, and those devices may not be used on roadways with posted speed limits higher than 35 mph.

On low‑speed vehicles — vehicles that look like golf carts but are built to highway equipment standards — Stavio said they must be able to reach 20 mph within one mile, cannot travel on streets with speed limits above 35 mph and must carry required equipment such as bumpers, seat belts, mirrors, lighting, and must be registered, insured and operated by a licensed driver.

Stavio described an initial outreach campaign that included school assemblies at Sandburg and Goddard middle schools and discussions with parents of students who ride electric bikes. He said the department posted materials on the Glendora Police Department Facebook page and coordinated with Glendora Unified School District communications.

Council members asked about enforcement thresholds and reporting. Stavio said officers can issue citations when laws are violated and that “all the other vehicle codes that apply to bicycles and to cars also apply to folks that are riding electronic bicycles.” He said impound or other stronger measures are possible depending on the severity of the offense. When asked how residents should report dangerous conduct, Stavio answered: “If you see something that you think is unsafe, absolutely call the police department. We can always send an officer out to verify whether or not there’s a violation of law.”

In response to a council question about local injury data, Stavio said the department had about 50 calls for service related to e‑bikes in the last 12 months and “I think we had 1 collision … where someone was injured.”

Police Chief (unnamed in the meeting transcript) echoed the focus on education and encouraged residents who are considering purchases to contact the traffic officer or school resource officers for guidance before buying devices for children. The chief said the department will pursue targeted enforcement when education does not achieve compliance.

The council did not take formal action on the police presentation. Staff said the outreach and school presentations will continue and that the department will coordinate with engineering and community groups as needed.