La Mesa council approves first reading of electric‑bike safety pilot ordinance

La Mesa — The City Council on April 14 approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing the La Mesa Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program, a local implementation of Assembly Bill 2234 intended to align city rules with recent state changes.

Staff member Ms. Lee told the council the ordinance would add chapter 12.38 to the La Mesa Municipal Code and adopt provisions consistent with California Vehicle Code requirements, including prohibiting children under 12 from operating class 1 or class 2 e‑bikes and maintaining the state’s prohibition on anyone under 16 from operating class 3 e‑bikes. The ordinance provides a 60‑day warning period after it takes effect; thereafter violations become infractions with a $25 fine set by state law, waivable if the violator completes a city‑approved safety training within 120 days. The ordinance also authorizes vehicle removal and seizure consistent with state code and requires the city to collect and report mandated pilot‑program data.

The ordinance drew questions from residents and council members about outreach, costs, alternatives and the evidence supporting age‑based limits. Resident Joseph Crier asked who had been consulted and whether local commissions, bike organizations and schools had been involved in drafting the proposal. “Did we talk with bike riders? Did we talk with the San Diego Bike Coalition?” Crier asked. He noted traffic‑injury statistics and asked whether the city was addressing the broader causes of road injuries.

Council members emphasized the measure was designed to curb unsafe behavior rather than punish lawful riders. Councilmember Suzuki said the proposal was not intended as a blanket ban, reiterating that enforcement would focus on unsafe behavior: “I don't think we’re going to be pulling over everyone — when you see someone behaving in a way that's not safe, that's when someone's going to be asked to produce [proof of age],” she said. Captain Lynch and staff said the city is developing an educational campaign with nonprofits, schools and the bicycle coalition, and will expand retailer partnerships used previously for e‑bike giveaways to encourage training at purchase.

The council unanimously approved the first reading; councilmembers said the city will run a 30‑day public information campaign before the ordinance can take effect and will track violations, warnings, seizures, course completions and e‑bike incidents as required by the state.

The ordinance will return for a second reading and final adoption at a later meeting following the public information period.