San Carlos deputies outline ebike, motorcycle and pedestrian safety at Sept. 15 commission meeting

Jerry Cousins, an administrative sergeant with the San Carlos Sheriff's Office, and Deputy Larson told the Planning and Transportation Commission on Sept. 15, 2025, that riders should wear DOT-approved helmets, obtain proper endorsements and avoid alcohol or drugs while operating motorcycles and electric bikes.

The presentation laid out national and local safety data and state rules for electric bicycles. "In 2022, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed," Deputy Larson said, citing national traffic-safety figures, and he added that a substantial share of single-vehicle motorcycle fatalities involved alcohol. Locally, deputies reported that San Carlos recorded 128 total traffic collisions in 2024, 72 with injuries, one fatal collision involving a bicyclist, nine pedestrian collisions with injuries and three bicyclist injuries; deputies said there were zero DUI fatal collisions and five persons injured in DUI collisions, with seven hit-and-run collisions involving injuries.

Why it matters: ebike and scooter sales have risen while users and parents often lack clear information about which devices are legal…