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La Mesa council directs staff to study e‑bike safety rules after members cite rising injuries
Summary
Councilmember Suzuki asked staff to research e‑bike safety regulations, public education campaigns, and municipal options after citing national injury statistics and local concerns about high‑speed and modified e‑bikes; the council voted unanimously to direct staff to draft options.
Councilmember Suzuki asked the council on Jan. 27 to direct staff to research regulations and education around electric bicycles, citing national injury figures and local safety concerns.
"I'm asking city staff to research what other municipalities... are doing to address e‑bike safety," Suzuki said, noting the American College of Surgeons' estimate of more than 20,000 annual e‑bike injuries nationally and that some e‑bikes can reach 20–28 mph and be modified to bypass speed restrictions. Suzuki said the request is not about limiting access but about protecting residents, especially young riders.
Council voted unanimously to ask staff to return with regulatory options (including local ordinances other cities have adopted), possible education campaigns, and an evaluation of enforcement and equipment standards. Mayor Rep Stathis and other councilmembers noted state vehicle‑code limitations and suggested regional or state action may also be necessary to address modified motorized conversions.
The council’s action formally directs staff to research options and report back; no ordinance language was adopted at the Jan. 27 meeting.
