Council adopts e-bike ordinance banning Class 3 bikes on trails and limiting trail speeds

The Duarte City Council adopted a city ordinance to regulate electric bicycles on trails and in parks, prohibiting Class 3 e-bikes on recreation trails and setting a 15 mph speed limit for Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on designated trails.

Director Larry Berceda told the council the ordinance was developed following more than a year of review by the Public Safety Commission and incorporates several provisions: a prohibition on Class 3 bikes on the recreation trail, a 15 mph speed limit for Class 1 and Class 2 bicycles on the Royal Oaks Trail, prohibitions on reckless and unsafe operation, restrictions on unauthorized vehicles in parks and on trails, and an administrative enforcement framework that includes citations, impoundment and education-based penalties. “This is the second reading of this ordinance,” Berceda said.

Berceda said enforcement will begin with an education phase focused on schools and community outreach before stepped-up operations. “First phase is gonna be dealing with directly with the schools,” he said, adding the city will place officers on the trail and coordinate special operations with the motorcycle unit and code enforcement.

Council members raised safety concerns about high-speed, unregistered electrified motorcycles and about teenagers operating powerful bikes. Mayor Pro Tem King described seeing teenagers on high-speed electrified bikes and urged robust enforcement and school outreach.

The ordinance also clarifies that higher-speed, non-pedal electrified vehicles are governed by state vehicle rules requiring registration, licensing and helmets; Berceda said the measure addresses that loophole in conformity with applicable state law.

The council approved the ordinance by motion and it will enter the implementation and education phase led by the Police/Public Safety office and code enforcement.