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Yucaipa mayor, trustee urge safer e-bike use after council adopts urgency ordinance
Summary
Mayor Chris Vindevold and Trustee David Avila urged Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District families to store and ride e-bikes safely after the City Council adopted an urgency ordinance to regulate certain e-bikes and restrict riding on sidewalks and streets.
Mayor Chris Vindevold and Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District Trustee David Avila posted a joint video advising families about the dangers and legal limits of some electric bikes after the City of Yucaipa adopted an urgency ordinance last week to regulate e-bike use in public areas.
In the video, Avila, who represents Trustee Area 5, said e-bikes are increasingly parked at schools and cautioned parents buying e-bikes for children during the holiday season. “Not only can they be dangerous, but they can also be illegal for use on our streets and sidewalks,” Avila said.
Vindevold, who identified himself as the new mayor of Yucaipa, said the City Council adopted an urgency ordinance (referred to in the video as ordinance 474) “to further regulate the use of e-bikes in public areas to better protect pedestrians, drivers, and riders.” He directed residents to the city police department and the school district’s social media pages for the ordinance text and additional details.
The video warns that some e-bikes “that do not have pedals are not street legal under state law,” and it urges riders to avoid operating those models on streets and sidewalks. Avila said local enforcement can be strict: “The police department has a strict zero-tolerance policy for violators, and the consequences can include a $2,000 fine and a 30 day impound, which in itself can cost another $2,000.”
Both speakers emphasized they did not want to discourage lawful use of e-bikes, calling them “fun and an easy way to get around,” while urging families to follow the law and prioritize safety. Vindevold said residents with questions should contact City Hall or the Yucaipa Police Department.
The video functions as a public-safety notice and a community announcement; the ordinance adoption is the most recent procedural step described. The video does not include a copy of the ordinance text, a vote tally, or details on enforcement procedures beyond the penalty examples cited in the video.
