AN ELECTRIC BIKE

An ordinance on problems with riders of electric bicycles advanced at Tuesday’s meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council.

The vote was 7-0 on the item originally proposed by Mayor Pro Tem Casey McKenna and Councilmember Gracey Van Der Mark. It will direct the city manager and city attorney – with consultation with the police chief – to prepare an ordinance which would study the “best practices” of bicycles – especially “e-bikes” – being ridden on city sidewalks.

Van Der Mark pointed out the rising number of injuries and accidents involving the use of the e-bikes, which are larger and heavier than the traditional pedal bicycles.

Huntington Beach police have recently stepped up enforcement of the existing codes.

Arrests have been made of bikers – many of them teenagers – riding recklessly on city streets and sidewalks.

Concern has been raised about possible injuries to senior citizens or other impaired people from the dangers posed by speeding bikes.

Councilman Chad Williams noted that forcing such bikes off the sidewalks would put them on the streets where some of the more serious accidents and injuries have taken place

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The city manager, city attorney and police chief were directed to compose an ordinance balancing those interests and return with it to the council for approval.