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Oak Park MAC hears e‑bike safety briefing as enforcement moves to 'zero‑tolerance'
Summary
The Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council heard a presentation from the Thousand Oaks Police Department on California e‑bike rules and enforcement, and was told enforcement has shifted from education to a "zero‑tolerance enforcement phase." Councilmembers urged continued outreach to parents and use of reporting channels for unsafe riders.
A representative of the Thousand Oaks Police Department told the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council on June 25 that California’s updated rules for electric bicycles and focused enforcement are being used locally to address unsafe e‑bike riding.
The presentation to the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council, an advisory body to Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell, summarized the three classes of e‑bikes, helmet and age requirements, where e‑bikes may lawfully operate, and distinctions between e‑bikes and motorized scooters and motorcycles. The department also discussed enforcement strategies and resources for parents and riders.
Councilmember Brian Trushinski asked whether additional outreach to parents and guardians is planned; the department said School Resource Officers are distributing materials through local schools. The transcript records that enforcement has moved from an educational phase to a "zero‑tolerance enforcement phase," a shift noted by the public‑safety representative.
Councilmembers and residents pressed for clarity on how to report unsafe groups of riders. The department encouraged residents to call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office when they observe unsafe behavior so deputies can respond. Staff clarified that enforcement in parks and on district property falls under Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District rangers, who coordinate with the Sheriff’s Office as needed.
Several council members, including Vice Chair Brianna Adams and Chair Michelle Santucci, thanked the department for its educational efforts and noted that e‑bike activity near Medea Creek has declined recently. Members encouraged continued multiagency outreach, education in schools, and attention to enforcement hotspots identified in recent reports.
The Council did not take formal action on the presentation; members discussed continuing community education and the importance of reporting incidents to law enforcement as the enforcement posture shifts.
