The Carpinteria City Council on Monday approved regulations that attempt to curb dangerous electric bike usage within city limits. 

If the city’s e-bike regulations are adopted at second reading at the council’s Feb. 9 meeting, they will kick in March 9. 

City staff told the council and the public that there has been a significant increase in e-bike usage in the city over the past three years. The bikes at times are ridden at excessive speeds, with reports of sidewalk riding in areas frequented by pedestrians, staff said. 

Under California Vehicle Code, e-bikes are not considered motor vehicles. They are split into three classes: Class 1 e-bikes cap out at 20 mph and provide assistance only when a rider is pedaling; Class 2 e-bikes have pedal-assist or throttles, and cap out with assistance at 20 mph; and Class 3 e-bikes can reach 28 mph, and provide assistance only when riders are pedaling. 

Because they aren’t considered motor vehicles, they have been largely regulated so far as bicycles. 

But they can go far faster than typical bicycles, and their riders have shown “observable, high-risk behaviors,” including unsafe speeds in high-pedestrian areas, failure to yield to pedestrians, stunt riding and riding against traffic, City Assistant Manager Ryan Kintz told the council.

Under the regulations discussed Monday — which would replace the city’s current bicycle code — the city would have a maximum e-bike operating speed of 28 mph; a new fine system; prohibit e-bike usage on sidewalks within the city’s Central Traffic District; and a Carpinteria youth diversion program for those under 18. 

The new regulations also outline yielding and right-of-way rules, lighting and equipment standards, require helmets for riders under 18, and prohibit unsafe behaviors like stunt riding, passengers, and riding against traffic.

They are intended to supplement, but not replace, state law, staff said.

Scooters, skateboards, regular bicycles and similar devices would be subject to the new regulations. ADA mobility devices are exempt. 

E-bikes would be allowed on the Carpinteria Bluffs, but banned in the Carpinteria Salt Marsh and in the city’s athletic facilities. 

The Central Traffic District, defined in the city’s municipal code, covers the city’s downtown core, adjacent streets, and public parking facilities — areas most likely to present conflicts with pedestrians.

Riding a regular bicycle on the sidewalk is already banned in these areas, staff clarified.

Rather than banning e-bikes and bicycles on all city sidewalks as opposed to just the Central Traffic District, the city’s Ad Hoc E-Conveyance Committee agreed it would be easier to focus on high-conflict areas.

Some areas of the city also lack safe or practical on-street alternatives, Kintz said.

“A blanketwide city ban would and could ultimately push riders into higher-speed traffic areas, and would likely require additional enforcement resources,” Kintz said.

The fine structure includes $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second violation, and $500 for each subsequent violation.

Citations can be given by both Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies and the city of Carpinteria’s Code Enforcement staff, while only deputies will be allowed to impound bikes on an as-needed basis. 

Kintz said the city is not expecting significant revenue from the citations. “…the goal is education,” he said. 

The city will work with the Carpinteria Unified School District and MOVE Santa Barbara County, a bicycle and public transit advocacy group, on the youth diversion program.

The program would be open to kids with first-time violations. Once someone completes the program’s safety education course, their citation and fine would be dismissed, though staff said repeat or “egregious” violations would continue to be enforced. 

The program would cost the city less than $1,500, which is included in the current budget. 

If the regulations are approved at the second reading, staff will spend February doing public awareness and outreach, before kicking it up to warning and education on March 16 and targeted enforcement on April 6.

The city hopes to get the pilot youth diversion program up and running sometime in May. 

Kintz said after the first phase is complete, staff hope to come back to the council with data about how the new regulations and enforcement are working. 

“The measure is, are we (seeing) less incidents?” Kintz said. 

Councilwoman Julia Mayer emphasized that the council doesn’t want to stop bike riding from happening, but said it is important that e-bikes are ridden properly.

“This is a really excellent community to ride a bike in…” Mayer said. “It was very important to all of us that what we’re doing is teaching kids and adults who are riding e-bikes incorrectly how to ride them properly and to be in harmony with our community.” 

She also said the city “took a lot of good cues” from MOVE Santa Barbara.

“I want to extend my thanks to them,” she added, with agreement from staff.