TMAC lays out safe‑routes, data and communications goals as council confronts illegal e‑bike use

The Transportation and Mobility Advisory Commission reported on its first year of work March 24, with Chair Nick Bach outlining subcommittees on communications, data and Safe Routes to School and plans for a bike/ped addendum to the 2017 master plan.

Bach described measurable goals, pilot "quick‑build" projects and a focus on engagement and evaluation. TMAC said it will pursue awards and metrics to track progress and expects to use its allocated budget to pilot measurement tools and community outreach.

During public comment, Bob Mittelsted of eBike Access told the council that illegally modified, high‑powered e‑bikes — referred to in the transcript as "super 70 threes" or "super 73s" — remain parked near the sewage agency and ridden to Mill Valley Middle School despite prior enforcement efforts. "They're still as illegal. They're still as dangerous," Mittelsted said, urging concentrated enforcement and parent outreach.

City staff and the city manager briefed the council on enforcement and education steps. The city manager said a local ordinance implementing AB 1778 will be returned to council on April 21, accompanied by expanded training programs developed with neighboring jurisdictions; the city will use a longer training model (2–4 hours) with parental involvement and a cost‑recovery fee to cover program costs. City staff also described a pilot registration/education program used by some school districts and emphasized that enforcement without education and school coordination will be limited.

Council members praised TMAC’s early work on safe routes and noted $750,000 in Safe Pathways funding for Mill Valley projects and $1.2 million available regionally to the city’s sphere of influence; staff said specific project funding and timelines will be presented at upcoming meetings.