Citing residents’ complaints about unsafe use of e-bikes, the Los Altos City Council replaced the city’s bicycle ordinance with one that imposes new restrictions including a ban on sidewalk riding.
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The new ordinance, presented at the June 24 council meeting, includes these restrictions for bicycles, electric bicycles, motorized scooters and similar vehicles:
• No riding on sidewalks or pedestrian paths.
• No more than two riders side by side on a roadway.
• Only one rider per e-bike or e-scooter, unless it’s designed to carry more.
• No trick riding.
• A helmet is required for anyone under 18.
An exemption to the sidewalk ban is allowed in circumstances when riding in the street would be unsafe.
The ordinance (embedded below) takes effect 30 days after its approval. Penalties for violators start at $50 for a first offense and top out at $100.
California has certain statewide rules about operation of electric bikes; municipalities are allowed to impose their own ordinances.
