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Fillmore leaders push education, targeted enforcement as youth e‑bike incidents rise
Summary
Police and city staff told the council and school board about rising youth e‑bike use and a small increase in collisions. City officials described educational outreach with schools, bike rodeos and OTS grant funding, limited signage in downtown pedestrian areas, and legal options for towing tampered e‑bikes; residents urged stronger enforcement and parent accountability.
Fillmore police and staff urged a combination of education and targeted enforcement after city data showed recent e‑bike collisions and risky youth riding.
Officer Lalo Malagon explained e‑bike classes, noting Class 1 and Class 2 e‑bikes are pedal‑assist models capped at 20 mph, while Class 3 has a 28 mph assist and age and helmet requirements. He warned that e‑motos are regulated by the DMV and are not permitted on local streets. "Class two bikes are most popular by far by our kids here in the community," he said.
Law enforcement concerns: staff described modifications that allow some bikes to exceed legal speeds, poor helmet use among youth and risky behaviors such as ignoring traffic controls and weaving through traffic. Malagon and Chief Melgoza said Fillmore has seen a small increase in collisions, including one hospitalizing crash earlier in March and another injury reported the same day as the meeting.
City response: the police described education efforts (school presentations, bike rodeos under OTS grant funding), enforcement operations focused on repeat offenders and existing municipal codes that permit signage to limit e‑bike use on certain sidewalks (for example, the downtown business district). Chief Melgoza said recent legislation allows towing of bikes that have been tampered with to operate out of class, and deputies issue citations for enforceable traffic violations.
Community suggestions and next steps: residents and trustees urged more assertive enforcement for repeat reckless riders and pointed to programs used in other jurisdictions — parental accountability, certification or short safety courses (Pedal Ace), retailer outreach and community rides or rodeos with positive incentives. Staff said they will continue school partnerships, enforcement sweeps where appropriate and evaluate additional educational events and signage.
No new ordinance was adopted at the meeting; council and staff discussed options to expand education, pursue grant funding and coordinate follow‑up with school officials and public works on targeted signage and traffic studies.
