La Puente council adopts new e‑bike rules for city parks, sets speed limits and six‑month review

The La Puente City Council on March 1 adopted a resolution amending park rules to regulate electric bikes and similar motorized devices in city parks, setting speed limits and directing staff to report back in six months on enforcement and impacts.

Council member (speaker assigned in the meeting) presented staff’s recommendation to amend Rule 28 to clarify which motorized devices are allowed, require e‑bikes to operate in manual or pedal‑assist mode, and establish a 12‑mile‑per‑hour maximum when no pedestrians are present and an 8‑mile‑per‑hour maximum when pedestrians are present. “By focusing on rider behavior rather than equipment type the city can more effectively manage safety risks and ensure that park pathways remain safe and accessible for all users,” the presenter said.

Mayor Klenakis said he supported the change and noted e‑bike speeds “can be 20, 25 miles an hour,” raising safety concerns for children and pedestrians. Mayor Pro Tem Valerie Munoz moved to adopt the resolution and asked the council to receive a follow‑up report in six months; Gabriel seconded the motion. The council approved the measure in a roll‑call vote.

City staff and councilors acknowledged enforcement challenges — including difficulty distinguishing e‑bike classes and modified units in the field — and said they plan outreach, signage and coordination with the sheriff’s office. A staff member noted recent conversations with the sheriff’s office to clarify enforcement under state law and said the city will consider options such as bike racks to encourage riders to park rather than ride through congested areas.

The resolution as read in the meeting was identified by staff as resolution 26 5 9 8 0; the council recorded the motion, a second, and a unanimous approval during the meeting’s roll call. The council directed staff to monitor compliance and return with a status report after approximately six months.