Mountain View police detail collision data gaps, plan e‑ticketing and e‑device training

The Mountain View Police Department told the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee that problems in its records management system have obscured key collision data and that a planned software update and e‑ticket rollout should improve tracking.

Lieutenant Goth presented the department’s active transportation collision report and explained that the dashboard’s Primary Collision Factor (PCF) field and the RMS–Crossroads data transfer have not consistently populated. “PCF is primary collision factor which is what we attribute as the primary cause of the collision,” Goth said, adding that fixes to the dashboard are expected and more detailed analytics should be available after the Crossroads integration is enabled.

The department said current California Highway Patrol forms historically lacked distinct categories for e‑bikes, scooters and motorized boards, limiting analysis of vehicle type in crashes. Staff said Crossroads and the updated CHP forms will allow staff to distinguish class‑1–3 e‑bikes, motorized scooters and other device types going forward.

MBPD also described near‑term changes to enforcement and education. Officer Hammond is scheduled to attend a 40‑hour e‑device instructor course so the department can run town halls, school programs and a consistent diversion class for juveniles. Goth said the plan calls for juvenile diversion tickets that require a parent‑attended class for helmet or wrong‑way riding violations; repeat offending would be tracked in the new e‑ticket system. The department acknowledged it rarely issued citations for adult wrong‑way riding, leaning instead on verbal warnings, but said e‑tickets will allow better counting and analysis of bicyclist citations.

Committee members and residents pressed the department on stolen‑bike trends and interagency coordination. Staff said recent data suggest many reported thefts involve e‑bikes but cautioned that exact device breakdowns are incomplete until Crossroads reporting is fully online. Committee members also asked how MBPD’s outreach will align with local Safe Routes programs; Goth said school resource officers and motor officers will continue bike rodeos and coordination meetings are planned.

The presentation closed with public appreciation for improved e‑device training and a request that the department make Crossroads data accessible to the public when available. Goth said the department expects expanded analytics after the July 1 Crossroads activation and reiterated the department’s intention to continue enforcement and education in partnership with transportation staff.