Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Micromobility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council narrows electric micromobility rules, exempts Bay Trail and schedules second reading
Summary
After public comment and a lengthy staff presentation, Burlingame council agreed to exempt the Bay Trail from a proposed ban on riding electric micromobility devices in parks, directed more outreach and moved the ordinance to a second reading by unanimous vote.
Burlingame — The City Council on Sept. 16 reintroduced an ordinance to regulate electric micromobility devices and voted unanimously to bring the measure back for a second reading after carving out an exemption for the Bay Trail.
Staff described the ordinance as an amendment to the municipal code to prohibit riding electric micromobility devices in City parks and recreation areas while explicitly exempting the Bay Trail by incorporating the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Bay Trail definition. “What we determined was that MTC does a great job of managing a Bay Trail map … and we incorporated their definition by reference into our ordinance,” a staff presenter said.
Public feedback was mixed. Several residents urged education and targeted enforcement rather than a blanket prohibition, citing the importance of active transportation; others and city officials pointed to frequent near-misses and unsafe behavior in small park pathways. Police Chief Matui told the council that enforcing a device ban is more straightforward than enforcing a speed limit: "If you ban a device it's easier to enforce an outright ban because if an officer sees the device they know it's illegal."
Councilmembers said the Bay Trail exemption was the right compromise but stressed the need for outreach, signage and coordinated enforcement. Councilmember Lee moved to bring the ordinance back for a second reading to refine definitions and implementation; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.
What’s next: The ordinance will return for a second reading with revised language reflecting the Bay Trail exclusion, and councilmembers asked staff to improve public outreach and signage and to copy council on consultant engagement notices.
Why it matters: The measure aims to balance pedestrian safety in narrow park paths with commuter use of the Bay Trail. Council members repeatedly noted practical enforcement limits and the need for accompanying education and infrastructure work before broader restrictions are enforced.
