Oxnard committee forwards ordinance to regulate e-bikes, approves 12-month phase-in and CHP training

The Community Services, Public Safety, Housing and Economic Development Committee voted 3-0 on July 14 to forward a proposed ordinance that would add rules to Oxnard City Code Chapter 7 governing the operation of motorized wheeled conveyances, including e-bikes and similar devices.

Deputy City Attorney Andrew Gonzales told the committee the ordinance is designed to fill gaps left by older bicycle provisions in the city code and to address complaints about unsafe e-bike behavior. "This ordinance is going to be a phase in," Gonzales said, describing a 12-month schedule with the first six months dedicated to education and the following six months to rollout before the ordinance is fully enforced. Gonzales said the ordinance incorporates an online e-bike safety program from the California Highway Patrol: "It's an online program at no cost whatsoever. You would take that course ... and if there was a citation, during this period, if you took that course ... you would not be cited during this period." He added that after the phase-in period the city attorney could consider dismissing or waiving fines when the training certificate is presented.

Staff and presenters summarized local data that informed the proposal. A staff presenter noted county sheriff citation data and rising local hospital reports of e-bike injuries, and cautioned that many newer motorized devices fall outside state e-bike classifications. "Many of the newer electric devices or motorized wheeled conveyances fall outside the three e-bike classes ... and are often mischaracterized as e-bikes as defined in state law," the presenter said, noting some devices can be modified to much higher speeds.

Councilmember Perillo pressed staff on safety details and enforcement mechanics, asking about helmet requirements, verification of online training for juveniles, and when financial penalties would begin. Perillo said some comment letters raised concerns that minors might not complete online coursework themselves. Gonzales and police staff said the online certificate can be submitted to law enforcement and the city for consideration during the phase-in; Gonzales conceded the city may explore in-person options later to address verification concerns.

Michael Wolf, Oxnard's director of public works, discussed how speed limits and restricted locations would be implemented. Wolf said enforceable speed limits typically require an engineering and transportation survey and coordination between public works, police and the city attorney, and that public works was "not proposing to put any signs on the street right away." He said multi-use trails could receive engineering-based advisory speed criteria if needed.

Oxnard Police representatives described current juvenile processing and impound authority. A traffic sergeant explained that officers generally contact a parent or guardian when stopping juveniles on non-roadworthy devices, that juveniles often can be identified by digital school IDs, and that state law permits impounding certain Class 3 and similar electric motorcycles for 48 hours for violators under 18.

During public comment, personal injury attorney Deirdre Frank urged the city to act faster and questioned the 12-month delay, saying in part, "E-bikes are prohibited [in some areas] ... No motorized vehicles should be allowed on any trail on the beach." A second caller, Mr. Huerta, recommended requiring classroom-style instruction and using school and Crime Prevention resources for training.

Staff also addressed business misclassification concerns and state-level import controls: the ordinance and outreach would emphasize that road-legal e-bikes are limited to 750 watts under state law and that devices above that threshold are not road-legal.

Chair McArthur and committee members voted to forward the ordinance to the full City Council for introduction by title only; the clerk recorded a 3-0 vote.

The committee's action will send the ordinance to the City Council for further consideration and possible amendments. The staff presentation and committee discussion made clear the proposal emphasizes education during the first year and coordination among city departments, police and local shops to implement and clarify rules for parents and sellers.