Laguna Beach Laws Target Reckless Riders

In an effort to improve public safety and reduce reckless e-bike riding, new rules for electric bicycles in Laguna Beach, California have been adopted.

These new ordinances address unsafe riding, speed limits, passenger restrictions and helmet requirements for riders under 18.

In the event a minor is cited for a violation, administrative citations may be issued to both, or either, the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian.

The new laws go into effect May 8, 2025 and include penalties in the form of fines and e-bike impounding.

 

See the full text of the new city ordinance below.

 

Chapter 10.16: Electric Bicycles and Other Electric Transportation Devices

Section 10.16.020- OPERATION AND USE

A) Any person riding or operating any electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance in the City must comply with the following provisions:

1. Unsafe Operation Prohibited. No person shall ride or operate an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance recklessly or otherwise in an unsafe manner on any public roadway, highway, sidewalk, park, or private property open to the public. “Unsafe manner” shall mean operation violating City municipal code including speed, noise, threatening to cause injury to self or others, presenting a hazard to the free use of public property by pedestrians, motorists.

2. Direction of Travel. The operator all bicycle, electric or motorized conveyance shall travel in the same direction as vehicles on a roadway, regardless whether the operator is in the roadway or in a bike lane.

3. Yield to Pedestrians and Vehicles. The operator of all bicycle, electric or motorized conveyance shall yield to vehicles and pedestrians as required by the California Vehicle Code.

4. Signs. The operator of all bicycle, electric or motorized conveyance  shall obey official posted signs, including but not limited to traffic control signs and parking signs.

5. Speed Limit. No operator of an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance shall travel over 25 miles per hour on any public highway, trail, path, park, or other public property within the City where electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, or any other electric or motorized conveyances are permitted to be driven.

6. Passenger Restrictions. No person riding or operating an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance shall transport another person on such a conveyance unless such passenger is seated upon a seat attached to the vehicle in a safe manner. No person shall be a passenger … unless such passenger is seated upon a seat attached to the vehicle in a safe manner.

7. Helmet Requirement. All operators and passengers under 18 years of age shall wear a helmet properly strapped while riding or operating an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance, as specified in California Vehicle Code Section 21212.

 

Section 10.16.030 – PENALTIES

A. Violation of any provision of this Chapter may be punishable by administrative citation and fine, pursuant to the procedures outlined.  In the event a minor is cited for violating this section, administrative citations may be issued to both, or either, the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian.

FINES
1. An administrative fine not exceeding $100 for the first violation.
2. An administrative fine not exceeding $200 for a second violation within one year of the first violation.
3. An administrative fine not exceeding $500 for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.
B. Violation of any provision of this Chapter may be punishable as an infraction, pursuant to the procedures outlined in Section 1.04.025 of this Code.

Section 10.16.040 – IMPOUND

a) In the event an adult is cited for violating this section for a violation that endangers the safety of others, the City officer issuing the citation may impound the electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance to the Laguna Beach Police Department. The impounded conveyance shall be released upon payment of the impound fee consistent with Laguna Beach Police Department impound fee schedule.

b) In the event a minor is cited for violating this section for a violation that endangers the safety of others, the City officer issuing the citation may impound the electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance to the Laguna Beach Police Department. The impounded conveyance shall be released to the minor’s parent, guardian, or other responsible adult upon payment of the impound fee consistent with Laguna Beach Police Department impound fee schedule.

c) An electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance impounded to the Laguna Beach Police Department under this Chapter shall be considered abandoned if not collected pursuant to this Section after a period in excess of 90 days. Abandoned electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, or any other electric or motorized conveyances may be disposed of as restricted by Civil Code Sections 2080.1, 2080.2, 2080.3, 2080.4 and 2080.5.