Woodland Hills narrows park motorized-vehicle ban, exempts e-bikes and e-scooters on trails

Woodland Hills City Council on March 4 adopted an update to the city’s traffic code that bars most motorized vehicles in the city park but clarifies that electric bicycles and scooters may be used on the park’s trails and sidewalks.

The change was prompted by staff reports of motorcycles, ATVs and other motorized vehicles damaging grass and creating safety concerns on park paths. City staff presented the ordinance as a new authority to make enforcement clearer; council members debated whether to exempt low-speed micromobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters.

Wayne (city staff, ordinance sponsor) described the problem as motorcycles and ATVs “tearing up the grass” and said the new rule is intended to give clearer enforcement tools. Carrie (city staff) and the deputy (public safety staff) said they had not received many complaints specifically about e-bikes or scooters but emphasized the park’s busy summer use and potential safety issues for pedestrians and children.

Council members discussed options ranging from a full ban on all motorized devices to allowing e-bikes and e-scooters on park trails or sidewalks only. Several members urged limited government intervention and suggested signage or a “ride at your own risk” notice as alternatives to criminal enforcement. Other members emphasized safety and pointed to examples of motorcycles and ATVs that cause both noise and physical damage.

Council amended the ordinance during the meeting so the final language bars gas- and diesel-powered motorized vehicles (including ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles) from the park but explicitly carves out electric bicycles and electric scooters for trail/sidewalk use. The council also discussed posting signs notifying park users of the restriction and recommended a future review of enforcement mechanisms and potential speed or trail-only rules.

The ordinance change (listed on the agenda as Ordinance 2025-01, traffic/other violations) passed on a recorded vote after a motion to adopt with the trail/sidewalk carve-out amendment.

Council asked staff to draft clear signage and to return with recommended enforcement language and any proposed speed limits or trail-only rules for future consideration.

The ordinance affects only the park’s Physical Facility District and does not change vehicle rules on public streets outside the park.