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Council adopts e‑bike ordinance; police to enforce 'unsafe speed' on sidewalks
Summary
The Los Alamitos City Council introduced and approved an ordinance adding sidewalk and e‑bike rules, directing police to enforce unsafe operation under a "prevailing conditions" standard and establishing administrative fines and education options.
The Los Alamitos City Council on an introductory vote approved Ordinance No. 2025-01 to add Chapter 10.45 to the Los Alamitos Municipal Code regulating electric bicycles and their operation on sidewalks.
The ordinance, read into the record by the city attorney as "an ordinance of the city council of the city of Los Alamitos, California adding chapter 10.45 to title 10 of the Los Alamitos Municipal Code relating to vehicles such as ebikes," establishes when e‑bikes may be ridden on sidewalks, gives officers the authority to cite unsafe operation based on "prevailing conditions," and creates an administrative citation schedule for violations.
Why it matters: Council members said the measure responds to an Orange County grand jury recommendation and local safety concerns after residents reported fast e‑bikes on sidewalks near schools and shopping areas.
Police officials said the municipal language targets unsafe behavior rather than a fixed sidewalk speed. "Class 3 ebikes are not permitted on the sidewalk," Captain Gallagher told the council, and the ordinance otherwise requires officers to determine whether a rider's speed or conduct is unsafe "based on the conditions." Gallagher added that many e‑bikes lack speedometers, making fixed numeric sidewalk speed limits difficult to enforce.
The council also discussed education and alternatives to fines: officers and staff plan to push safety materials through schools, the city newsletter and social media; the police department will incorporate the new rules into a kid-focused safety course offered at junior high schools and explore a web page tab dedicated to e‑bike guidance. Council members discussed administrative citations handled in‑house (rather than county traffic court) with a three-tier fine schedule in the ordinance (first, second and third administrative levels) and potential collection procedures for unpaid fines.
The ordinance was introduced and adopted on the council's vote. The city manager and police staff said they will implement public education and the citation procedures after the ordinance takes effect.
The council voted to introduce the ordinance by voice vote after discussion and questions from members about enforceability, minors, and education.
