Dr. Alexander Reynolds
Santa Cruz County has decided to delay the implementation of an updated ordinance aimed at promoting safer usage of electric bicycles. After initially approving the ordinance in March, county leaders have opted to conduct further review and bring the item back for another preliminary read in May.
The ordinance primarily focuses on addressing e-bike usage on pedestrian facilities. It proposes making it illegal to ride an e-bike on sidewalks, except when there is no bike lane and no pedestrian present. Additionally, the original draft of the ordinance included a provision that would prohibit e-bike rides on paths within county parks, unless they were designated bikeways or allowed by posted signage.
Supervisor Manu Koenig, one of the proponents of the ordinance, requested the delay after receiving concerns from the community, particularly from Ecology Action, an environmental nonprofit involved in bicycle advocacy and education locally. Ecology Action raised concerns about the impact of the ordinance on their education activities and highlighted the importance of certain areas within county parks as vital connections within the bicycle network.
Koenig aims to give county staff enough time to meet with Ecology Action and explore possible designated bikeways within parks that could be excluded from the ordinance. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive public communication effort to ensure residents understand the scope of the new ordinance, including its application to county parks rather than state parks where many mountain bike trails are located.
Supervisor Zach Friend, however, believes that the delay is unnecessary and that the ordinance already provides sufficient flexibility for County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney to make adjustments after consultation with industry groups like Ecology Action. Friend expressed concerns that further discussions could potentially weaken the safety measures proposed by the ordinance.
While Gaffney acknowledged that the current ordinance language gives him the authority he needs to manage the e-bike issue, he did not express a preference for either the delay or immediate adoption of the ordinance.
The new rules being proposed align with the rapid rise in popularity of e-bikes in the region. As state authorities work on their own safety adjustments for e-bikes, Santa Cruz County aims to establish local safety standards to regulate this growing mode of transportation effectively.
The decision to delay the ordinance comes as Santa Cruz County continues to roll out an e-bike rental program. Both Capitola and Santa Cruz have already launched their programs, and further expansions are planned throughout the county in the coming months. The BCycle program is set to introduce approximately 660 rental e-bikes across the county.
By taking the time to address concerns and refine the ordinance, Santa Cruz County hopes to strike a balance between promoting e-bike usage and ensuring safety for all residents and pedestrians.
The electric bicycle industry has been rapidly growing in popularity in Santa Cruz County and across the region. With the increasing number of e-bikes on the roads and pedestrian facilities, it has become necessary for local authorities to establish safety standards and regulations for this mode of transportation.
The proposed ordinance in Santa Cruz County focuses on addressing e-bike usage on pedestrian facilities, particularly sidewalks. The aim is to make it illegal to ride an e-bike on sidewalks, except in cases where there is no bike lane and no pedestrian present. The ordinance also initially included a provision that would ban e-bike rides on paths within county parks, unless they were designated bikeways or allowed by posted signage.
However, concerns raised by the community, particularly Ecology Action, an environmental nonprofit involved in bicycle advocacy and education, have led to a delay in the implementation of the updated ordinance. Ecology Action expressed worries about the impact of the ordinance on their educational activities and emphasized the importance of certain areas within county parks as essential connections in the bicycle network.
Supervisor Manu Koenig, one of the proponents of the ordinance, has called for the delay to allow county staff to meet with Ecology Action and explore possible designated bikeways within parks that could be excluded from the ordinance. He also emphasized the need for comprehensive public communication to ensure residents understand the scope of the ordinance, especially its application to county parks rather than state parks where many mountain bike trails are located.
Supervisor Zach Friend, on the other hand, believes that the delay is unnecessary. He argues that the ordinance already provides sufficient flexibility for County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney to make adjustments after consulting with industry groups like Ecology Action. Friend is concerned that further discussions may weaken the safety measures proposed by the ordinance.
Meanwhile, the rise in popularity of e-bikes in Santa Cruz County has led to the implementation of e-bike rental programs in Capitola and Santa Cruz, with plans for further expansions throughout the county. The BCycle program is set to introduce approximately 660 rental e-bikes across the county.
By delaying the implementation of the ordinance and addressing concerns raised by the community, Santa Cruz County aims to strike a balance between promoting e-bike usage and ensuring safety for all residents and pedestrians. As the electric bicycle industry continues to grow, it is crucial for local authorities to establish regulations and safety standards to effectively manage e-bike usage.
