Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Ebikes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
El Centro council bans electric bicycles in city parks, citing safety and turf damage
Summary
The City Council introduced and approved a first reading of an ordinance prohibiting electric bicycles in city-owned parks, citing user safety, damage to turf and conflicts with pedestrians; the ban will be enforced with education and signage and violations treated as infractions.
The El Centro City Council introduced an ordinance and approved it on first reading to prohibit the operation of electric bicycles in city-owned parks.
Adriana (Parks and Recreation staff) told council that ebikes had caused tire marks and turf damage at recently opened Buena Vista Park and at Buckland Park, and that park users had reported encountering ebikes traveling at high speeds and with users wearing headphones. She said the measure aims to protect safety and the passive character of park spaces; staff proposed phased enforcement that begins with education and signage and escalates to infractions for repeated violations. Adriana said parks staff had consulted with law enforcement and legal counsel and that the Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) is working on broader valleywide guidance for ebikes on streets and sidewalks.
Council members voiced support for the ordinance as a near-term measure to protect people and park landscaping; several members said it was a straightforward public-safety and asset‑protection measure. The council introduced the ordinance and authorized the city clerk to place it on the next agenda for a second reading. The motion to introduce and approve the first reading passed unanimously (5–0).
Ending: Staff said the city will install visible signage in affected park areas, emphasize education as the first enforcement step and coordinate with ICTC on any regional rules affecting ebikes.
