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Galt adopts urgency ordinance regulating electric bicycles, scooters and motorized boards; helmets, lights and speed limits required
Summary
An urgency ordinance establishing safety rules and enforcement for electric bicycles, scooters and motorized skateboards went into effect immediately after a 5–0 council vote. It sets helmet and lighting requirements, a 20 mph speed cap and enforcement options including fines and diversion.
The Galt City Council unanimously adopted an urgency ordinance on Oct. 7 to regulate electric bicycles, motorized scooters and electrically powered boards in the public right of way, citing immediate risks to pedestrians and schoolchildren.
The ordinance—adopted in a single reading and effective immediately—establishes operational restrictions and equipment requirements: lights and reflectors for night use, helmet requirements for riders under the applicable age threshold, a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour on public streets, and prohibitions on reckless maneuvers such as wheelies or weaving through stopped traffic. It also creates enforcement options including municipal fines and diversion programs for juveniles and authorizes impoundment where officers have reasonable cause.
Why it matters: Police and school officials said the number of incidents and complaints rose with the start of the school year. The city reported an outreach campaign that included school presentations to 1,700 students and more than 36 warning citations issued in September. Police said the ordinance is intended to provide tools that match municipal enforcement options and educational diversion for juveniles.
Council action: Council Member Reid moved to adopt the urgency ordinance; the motion passed 5–0 (Vice Mayor Sandhu — Aye; Council Member Grama — Aye; Council Member Reid — Aye; Council Member Rodriguez — Aye; Mayor Farmer — Yes). Staff said helmets are available for those who meet financial-need criteria to ensure compliance and safety.
Implementation and outreach: Police said they will continue education and warnings, use diversion for appropriate cases and issue fines for repeated offenses. The department plans continued school outreach and social‑media messaging to reach parents and guardians.
Ending: The urgency ordinance takes immediate effect in the city; staff will track incident rates and report back to council if additional measures are needed.
