Agoura Hills council backs ban on e-bikes on sidewalks and in city parks, asks staff to draft enforcement plan

Agoura Hills City Council members on Wednesday directed city staff to draft changes to the municipal code that would ban riding Class 1, 2 and 3 electric bicycles on city sidewalks and from non-road areas of city parks, and to return with enforcement and education options.

City staff framed the issue as a public-safety problem arising from a rapid increase in e-bike use. “Residents are witnessing and reporting unsafe use and reckless behavior from individuals utilizing different forms of electric bicycles on city streets, sidewalks, and in city parks,” Amy Brink, director of community services, told the council during a staff presentation.

The move follows public comment from residents who described near-misses and aggressive behavior by e-bike riders. “These kids are not out there riding back and forth to school. They're causing trouble,” said Ed Frank, a resident who addressed the council. Several council members said they had seen similar incidents in Forest Cove Park and along local sidewalks.

Why it matters: Council members said sidewalk riding by faster electric bikes is putting pedestrians — including small children, older adults and dog walkers — at risk in neighborhoods with narrow sidewalks and pocket parks. Council members favored a firm standard they say will make enforcement clearer for deputies and city code officers.

What the council decided: After hearing options that ranged from education-only to drafting a full prohibition, the council coalesced around the subcommittee recommendation to prohibit riding e-bikes on sidewalks citywide and to ban riding in non-road park areas while allowing people to walk e-bikes through parks or use driveways and parking lots for access. Council members emphasized that education must accompany any code change so riders learn to use bike lanes and streets safely.

What staff presented: Staff outlined three sidewalk options (no change; strengthened language defining unsafe riding; and a ban on e-bike riding on sidewalks) and three parallel park options (education/enforcement; add e-bikes to park motor vehicle definitions with an unsafe-riding standard; and prohibit e-bikes in non-road park areas). Traffic engineer Matt Stewart and public-works staff reviewed California Vehicle Code classifications (Class 1–3 e-bikes) and recent state bills that allow seizure of modified or oversized motorized bikes.

Enforcement and next steps: Council members asked staff to draft ordinance language, define enforcement mechanisms (citations, confiscation for modified devices, fines), estimate costs for signage and outreach, and coordinate with the Lost Hills Sheriff Station on enforcement. Council member Chris Anstead noted AB 875, which gives peace officers authority to confiscate certain e-bikes when ridden by persons under 16 or when they have been modified beyond legal classifications. Staff said they will return with proposed municipal-code language, enforcement options, and budget implications.

Public safety partners and schools: Staff said Las Virgenes Unified School District and Lost Hills Sheriff Station told staff they support education programs and clearer municipal definitions; the district offered to help with school-based safety education. A local bike shop manager also volunteered to help with outreach and training if the city pursues education programs.

What remains unresolved: The council did not adopt an ordinance at tonight’s meeting; instead members provided direction to staff to prepare the legal text and implementation plan. Details such as specific fine amounts, phased implementation, and whether volunteers or contracted code-enforcement personnel will assist were left for staff to return with.

Looking ahead: Staff said they will prepare ordinance language and a public-education campaign, coordinate with Lost Hills Sheriff Station, explore signage and staffing options for park enforcement, and identify likely budget needs for enforcement and community outreach. The council indicated it wants the city to present a draft ordinance and enforcement options at a future meeting for possible adoption.