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advantage of zero-emissions electricity to electrify vehicles ...to further reduce emissions from remaining gas-powered vehicles, provide viable travel alternatives, and support healthy lifestyles." CAP 2.0 also incentivizes and encourages a-bike usage to reduce vehicle miles traveled for K-12 activities. Allowing e-bikes on trails and pathways, and parks and recreation facilities, will result in more children and their parents using bikes and e-bikes to get to school, commute to work, and bike ride for errands. The General Plan's Circulation Element has a focus on safety between automobiles, transit, bicyclists and pedestrians in Policy 8. The proposed ordinance is consistent with these safety interests by setting a bike speed limit and establishing yielding requirements. Pleasanton Municipal Code Amendments The City's municipal code currently prohibits the use of motorized bicycles in areas not designated for their use, or unless the director of library and recreation permits their use. Motorized bicycles remain subject to laws provided in the California Vehicle Code. Currently, a-bikes are considered a "motorized bicycle" and prohibited in park and recreation facilities. Amendments are proposed to: define e-bikes; differentiate e-bikes from motorized bicycles; allow e-bikes on trails and pathways, and in park and recreation facilities; set a 15 mph speed limit for all bikes; require the safe operation of all bikes depending on conditions; require all bikes to yield to pedestrians and equestrians; and clarify that all bikes in bike paths and bike lanes on public streets are subject to Vehicle Code regulations. See Attachment 1. Environmental Review The proposed ordinance qualifies for a categorical exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as Class 1 — Existing Facility.6 This CEQA exemption applies to the "operation" of existing facilities, which includes "Existing ... streets, ...bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities ...". The proposal to allow e- bikes on existing trails, pathways, bike paths, parks and recreation facilities is a modification of operational regulations for existing facilities where regular bikes are already permitted. 6 See Title 14 Cal. Code of Regulations §15301. To confirm that this applies, these issues were considered: trail damage, noise; and disturbing wildlife. While e-bike riders may increase on challenging trails, they must still ride on existing trails. While e-bikes are heavier that regular bikes, the surfaces of trails, pathways and parks are typically built for maintenance vehicles that weigh more.A noise study by H.T. Harvey (Sept. 2021)for the Midpeninsula Open Space District discussed on June 29, 2022, concluded that: "...both regular bikes and e-bikes generate noise across both low and high frequencies, depending on the model and type of activity for which the bike is being used. However, regular bikes were generally quieter than the e-bikes. Both types of bikes generated noise in frequencies that are inaudible to most birds and mammals (including humans) but can be heard by bats. ...". Since e-bikes will be able to ride only where existing regular bikes already ride, no new wildlife will be disturbed. Page 7 of 14