Santa Barbara Council adopts new e‑bike ordinance, establishes youth diversion program

The Santa Barbara City Council voted to adopt changes to Municipal Code chapter 10.52 on Feb. 25 that update local rules for bicycles and electronic conveyances, add administrative enforcement options and fines, and create a youth diversion alternative to fines.

Council members said they took the stepped approach to balance public-safety concerns on State Street and other pedestrian areas with education and alternatives for juveniles. Mayor Randy Rouse and council members approved the ordinance in a 7–0 vote after amendments that narrow a sidewalk exception and reduce proposed administrative fines.

Why it matters: City staff and police told the council e‑bikes are involved in an increasing share of collisions and risky behavior downtown. The police department cited collision-report data it began capturing in 2022 after the CHP updated reporting forms; in 2024 officers recorded 107 e‑bike collisions and listed the e‑bicyclist as the primary at‑fault party in 69 of those reports. Council members said they want tools that let officers stop unsafe riding, educate riders and, when necessary, issue administrative citations rather than relying only on traffic court.

What the ordinance does: The ordinance (amending Chapter 10.52) does several things: it (1) updates definitions to reflect class 1/2/3 e‑bikes and other “e‑conveyances,” (2) clarifies that ‘‘pocket bikes’’ and motorized off‑road minibikes are illegal on public rights of way and may be impounded, (3) defines “unsafe operation” and prohibits stunts or tricks near pedestrians, (4) makes riding on sidewalks generally not allowed (the council removed one previously permissive exception), (5) creates administrative fines with an escalating schedule instead of automatically sending all cases to traffic court, and (6) creates a juvenile diversion option run by the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADAA) as an alternative to fines.

Enforcement, fines and alternatives: The council set administrative fines so that a first administrative citation is $100, a second within 12 months is $200 and a third may be up to $500. Officers will retain discretion about when to warn, issue an administrative citation or seek other remedies. The ordinance places the new enforcement mechanism in the municipal code (so cases can be handled administratively rather than always as Vehicle Code infractions). Chief Kelly Gordon told the council the department ‘‘is coming to you with something that you asked for from us, so we’re trying to respond to your request.’’

Juvenile diversion: Instead of automatic impound or court for many juvenile cases, the council approved a voluntary youth diversion course run by CADAA’s Cadence program. CADAA described the program to the council as ‘‘a proposed e‑bike safety course [that] would be a two‑hour long course, and youth would only have to take it one time’’; the course includes a parent component, a short quiz and no juvenile record for youth who complete it. CADAA staff said the program is free and available in Spanish.

Safety-specific provisions and limits: The ordinance cross‑references the California Vehicle Code for allowable behavior on roadways but extends municipal enforcement to promenades and bike paths where the Vehicle Code evidence and procedures are less direct. It requires helmets for under‑18 riders in applicable cases, lighting at night, and riding in bike lanes where provided. The council removed a clause that had allowed riders to use sidewalks in several broadly stated circumstances and replaced the term “present” (when describing proximity to pedestrians) with ‘‘close proximity’’ to narrow enforcement discretion.

Pocket bikes and modified e‑bikes: The ordinance reiterates that pocket bikes or battery‑only off‑road minibikes are not allowed on public rights of way and can be impounded under the Vehicle Code; the police department said that power‑only minibikes commonly seen on local promenades and bike paths are distinct from class 1/2/3 e‑bikes and subject to different penalties. Councilmember John Jordan and others pressed staff on how officers will determine whether a device is a modified legal e‑bike or an impoundable motor vehicle‑type device; staff answered that officers will evaluate bikes case by case and use Vehicle Code provisions to impound unlawful machines.

Public input: More than 30 people spoke during general public comment and the e‑bike item. Speakers included cycling‑club representatives who urged care not to over‑criminalize cyclists and downtown merchants and residents who said they want more visible enforcement; several neighborhood speakers urged prohibition or lower speed allowances on the downtown promenade. Echelon vice president Steve Nelson and downtown stakeholder Daniel Ramirez both told the council they support safety rules and coordinated enforcement.

Next steps and timeline: Council instructed staff to finalize ordinance language with three specific changes made at the meeting (replace ‘‘present’’ with ‘‘close proximity’’ in the unsafe‑operation clause; strike the narrow permissive sidewalk exception in 10.5203 subsection 3; and revise the administrative fine schedule to $100/$200/$500 for successive violations in a 12‑month period). Staff said they will post the revised municipal code language, coordinate implementation with CADAA and the police training unit, run outreach and return to council as needed for further technical or budget decisions. Chief Gordon and staff also described planned school‑based education, partnerships with SB Move and Office of Traffic Safety grant work to support outreach. Council members asked staff to report back on enforcement levels and State Street presence after launch.

What council voted: Motion to adopt the ordinance as amended by Councilmember Friedman; seconded by Councilmember Sneddon; roll‑call vote recorded in the official minutes as 7–0 in favor (Mayor Randy Rouse; Mayor Pro Tem Friedman; Councilmembers Herman, Sanzmaria, Stedman, Gutierrez and Jordan). Council directed staff to proceed with the CADAA diversion agreement and to return with monitoring data and implementation details.

Why staff proposed a middle‑path approach: Staff presented a mix of enforcement, education and diversion because police said purely punitive approaches (impoundments, court referrals) have legal and juvenile‑justice implications and can be difficult to sustain without a strong education program; the police and CADAA emphasized early education and parent involvement as a way to reduce repeat violations.

Council reaction: Councilmembers praised the effort to give officers new administrative tools while keeping juvenile diversion and education central; several members urged a quick first round of targeted action against pocket bikes and high‑risk modified machines, and asked staff to return with a follow‑up report on raids, impounds and whether additional budget or ambassador resources are warranted.

What to watch for: Staff said it will report on initial enforcement outcomes, CADAA diversion participation and whether further changes are needed to the fine schedule, signage or the State Street interim operations. The ordinance text and implementation FAQs will be posted on the city website when finalized.