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Bicycle, Pedestrian & Trails Committee Agenda Report April 24, 2023 Item 4 SUBJECT: PROVIDE RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING REGULATIONS FOR E-BIKES ON TRAILS AND IN PARKS SUMMARY With the growing popularity of electronic bicycles (“e-bikes”), Assembly Bill 1909 was approved by the state legislature in 2022 and is set to go into effect on January 1, 2024. Current state law prohibits the operation of motorized bicycles and e-bikes on bicycle paths and recreational trails. Once in effect, AB 1909 will remove that prohibition restricting e-bikes from these bike paths. In its place, AB 1909 authorizes the City of Pleasanton to institute its own restrictions on Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes by ordinance. For Class 3 e-bikes and motorized bicycles, AB 1909 partially removes the prohibition: Class 3 e-bikes and motorized bicycles are still prohibited on City bike paths unless the path is within or adjacent to a roadway; or the City may permit Class 3 e-bikes on City bike paths by ordinance. The City currently prohibits the operation of motorized bicycles in any park and recreational facility unless the area is specifically designated for these types of bicycles, or unless written permission is given. Given the increased popularity and use of motorized bicycles and e-bikes, it now lies with the City to determine how to regulate the operation of motorized bicycles and e - bikes beginning in 2024. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends allowing all classes of e-bikes on City bike paths, bike lanes, trails, and within City parks with the restriction that e-bike users not exceed 15 miles per hour, or slower if necessary to safely operate the e-bike based on the conditions. BACKGROUND E-bike definition and classification An e-bike is defined as a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. There are three classifications of e-bikes, each class differs from the other based on how the electric motor assists the rider (pedal assist vs throttle assist) and the maximum speed of the e-bike.1 Each class is defined as follows: 1 California Vehicle Code (CVC) §312.5