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La Mesa council approves one-year e-bike pilot banning some e-bikes for children under 12 after heated debate
Summary
After hours of public comment and council debate on safety, enforceability and equity, the La Mesa City Council approved a one-year pilot under state law restricting operation of class 1 and 2 e-bikes by children under 12 and directed staff to pursue enforcement, education and infrastructure measures.
La Mesa — The City Council on May 12 approved an electric bicycle safety pilot that bans operation of certain motorized e-bikes by children younger than 12 for the pilot period, voting 4–1 after an extended public hearing and council debate.
Supporters said the measure is a targeted safety step permitted by state law. “This is not a ban on e-bikes. It is a common-sense safety measure,” Council Member Suzuki said, citing Ray Children’s Hospital and county trauma data showing rapid growth in e-bike injuries and trauma activations. Suzuki told colleagues the state’s AB 2234 creates a pilot framework that allows cities to limit e-bike operation by age and urged the council to act.
Opponents — including multiple parents, cycling advocates and traffic-safety professionals — argued the ordinance is overbroad and hard to enforce and would penalize responsible families who use low-speed, limited bikes to ride with their children. “This is a ban based on age, not behavior,” mobility and school advocates told the council during public comment, urging enforcement of existing reckless‑riding laws and investments in safer streets instead of an age prohibition.
Council members repeatedly framed the choice as one between acting now on safety or delaying while more targeted alternatives are explored. Council Member Laura Lotheian said enforcement of existing reckless-riding statutes has been limited locally and raised concerns about teens riding recklessly downtown; she expressed skepticism the police could reliably enforce age-based limits but said she would weigh child-safety evidence in her decision. Council Member Patricia Dillard emphasized injury data presented by health professionals and supported taking a precautionary approach.
The ordinance, adopted by roll call, adds Chapter 12.38 to the La Mesa Municipal Code and implements the state-authorized pilot, with provisions referencing California Vehicle Code sections included in the staff report. The motion carried with Council Member Patricia Dillard, Council Member Suzuki, Vice Mayor (recorded as) Kazares, and Mayor (recorded as) Apath Statathas voting yes; Council Member Lotheian voted no.
Council asked staff to pair the ordinance with concrete follow-up: a request to the police chief for an increased enforcement plan focused on helmet use and reckless operation for riders under 18, monthly e-bike safety education courses in partnership with local cycling groups or schools, and a staff report on installing bike lanes within a half-mile of all schools to come back by the November 10 council meeting. Council also directed staff to explore digital speed-limiting tools used elsewhere and to return with implementation details and options for community outreach during the pilot.
The pilot is time-limited and intended to operate within state law’s parameters so the city and state can evaluate outcomes. Proponents said the measure provides a legal tool to act now; opponents said the city should instead focus on targeted enforcement and infrastructure improvements. The council’s actions create a local framework to be revisited as the state pilot and data evolve.
What’s next: The ordinance takes effect as prescribed by the council’s action and staff will return with implementation and enforcement plans. The pilot’s results will be available for council review under the schedule directed at adoption.
