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Aliso Viejo council approves first reading of ordinance to curb dangerous e‑bike behavior
Summary
The City Council introduced and unanimously approved for first reading an ordinance amending chapter 10.6 of the municipal code to address unsafe electric‑bicycle activities, emphasizing education first and enforcement options for recurring violations.
Aliso Viejo’s City Council voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance tightening local rules on dangerous electric‑bicycle activity, a move city officials said is aimed at protecting pedestrians and youth riders.
City Attorney Scott Smith told the council the proposed changes to chapter 10.6 add local prohibitions where state vehicle code is silent — for example, reckless riding on sidewalks and other behaviors deputies have identified as hazardous. Smith said the list of activities and proposed language is modeled in part on an ordinance adopted recently by neighboring Laguna Niguel.
The ordinance is presented as a first reading; council members and public safety staff emphasized education as the starting point. Deputy Berrigan and OCSD representatives described a layered approach: officers typically begin with warnings and education, then escalate to administrative citations if behavior persists. Sergeant Durkin said impoundments are rare and typically reserved for motor‑vehicle‑class devices that state law treats as motorcycles, which require registration, licensing and insurance.
Council members asked how success will be measured. Deputy Berrigan and other OCSD staff said citations and impounds are logged inconsistently across categories today and urged the council to request a report with available data. Mayor Pro Tem Duncan and others asked staff to coordinate with OCSD and the schools on education efforts for youth riders.
Scott Smith outlined enforcement steps: warnings, administrative citations resolved at city hall (civil penalties), and, for repeated or dangerous conduct, criminal filing where prosecutors may reduce charges to infractions. Smith said local penalties may step up but that the prosecutor (city attorney or district attorney) ultimately decides charging.
Councilmember discussion drew attention to impound costs when an off‑street motorcycle class device is towed and stored; Sergeant Durkin said such impounds are uncommon and occur mostly for devices that meet the vehicle code definition of a motorcycle. Council members urged staff to seek clearer statistics from OCSD and industry partners before the ordinance moves to subsequent readings.
The motion to introduce the ordinance for first reading passed by unanimous roll call vote. Council directed staff to follow up with OCSD about available incident and citation data and to consider an educational rollout with schools and community partners.
The ordinance will return for a subsequent reading and further council action before becoming final.
