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Garden Grove police detail rise in e‑bike injuries, urge education and school-based diversion
Summary
Police presented a detailed e‑bike enforcement and education update, citing increases in traumatic injuries at CHOC and new state laws that expand impound and enforcement authority; the council asked staff to post materials publicly and explore diversion programs and school permits.
The Garden Grove Police Department briefed the council March 10 on an uptick in electric‑bicycle and e‑motorcycle crashes and enforcement strategies aimed at reducing injuries.
Officer Gomez of the Neighborhood Traffic Unit explained e‑bike classes under the California Vehicle Code, described how higher‑powered e‑motorcycles exceed the 750‑watt limit and become illegal for public-road use, and said such vehicles lacking registration or proper licensing are subject to impound. Gomez cited conversations with CHOC Children's Hospital staff who have seen an increase in traumatic injury cases stemming from e‑bike crashes and said some recent data show two to three trauma‑level pediatric cases at CHOC in recent periods. He detailed that impound fees, fines and potential tow costs can accumulate beyond $2,000 when violations, towing and related penalties are combined.
Gomez reviewed recent state laws: AB544 (red rear reflector/rear light requirement), AB545 (prohibits apps that increase speed beyond safe limits), AB875 (expanded authority to remove illegal e‑bikes and tow where juveniles operate class‑3 e‑bikes), and AB965 (prohibits sale of class‑3 e‑bikes to persons under 16). He advocated a mix of proactive enforcement, written warnings, impoundment for illegal motorcycles and education through schools and community outreach.
Councilmembers asked whether citations mostly target juveniles; Gomez said violations disproportionately involve young riders (often junior‑high age) and that many injurious collisions involve riders traveling on the wrong side of the road or at excessive speeds. Several councilmembers asked that the presentation be posted on the city's website and social channels and requested that staff pursue school‑based diversion programs similar to Huntington Beach's e‑bike safety course and permitting model. Councilmember proposals included a permit/diversion approach that couples citations with mandatory safety training and school permit systems.
Police said they would coordinate with the school district and continue outreach; council requested the presentation packet and agreed to consider adopting or adapting neighboring cities' diversion and education programs to reduce injuries.
