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Central Newport Beach Community Association
PO Box 884 - Newport Beach, CA - 92661-0884
www.MyNewportBeach.Org
August 11, 2022
Received after Agenda Printed
August 23, 2022
Item No. SS4
Dear Mayor Muldoon and Councilmembers Dixon, Brenner, Avery, Duffield, Blom, and O'Neill:
Thank you for scheduling a study session on the subject of ebikes. I know you have heard from us individually
and in smaller groups since the arrival of electric bikes (ebikes), specifically on the Boardwalk.
We all share concern for local students, many of whom are our children and grandchildren. A discussion of
education and enforcement is certainly in order and, hopefully, will increase safety for all.
The Peninsula will benefit but requires attention beyond that needed for the city as a whole.
Boardwalk users include residents of all ages and capabilities, visitors/tourists from near and far (including those
from a multitude of foreign countries who have language and custom differences). Devices using electric power
include ebikes of various sizes from tot -sized through those approaching a motorcycle; skateboards; scooters;
and single -wheel devices. Speeds include slow (children learning, adults who just rented one), reasonable (many
locals/tourists), over 8 mph (locals and tourists alike —including senior citizens).
CNBCA suggestions include:
Education. Making a visitor friendly required handout for property managers and owners with responsibility for
short term rentals to each set of tenants. The handout would include laws, regulations, and new ordinances
(speed, helmets, etc.) as well as a list of potential hazards that the visitor may encounter such as toddlers through
adults running across the Boardwalk without looking both ways. The handout could also remind visitors to
respect the lanes on the Boardwalk as well as address ocean safety (e.g., what a rip current looks like and what
to do if caught in one).
Enforcement. As has been frequently stated, "The City has most of the laws/ordinances on the books, the City
just needs to enforce them."
Regulation. During Speak Up Newport's June 8th meeting, Don Dicostanzo (Pedego Electric Bikes CEO) stated
that AB1096 (was passed in 2015) gives cities (e.g., City of Newport Beach) the authority to regulate e-bikes.
AB1096 allows the City to require helmets, set maximum speeds, and/or prohibit operation of e-bikes on
specified paths (e.g., the Boardwalk). CNBCA presented this option (AB1096) in letters, at meetings with City
staff, and at City Council meetings on behalf of CNBCA in 2017 and again in 2020.
Given the results of the July 10th weekend ticketing of hundreds of speeding e-bikes/cyclists on the Boardwalk
and the flood of complaints by residents and Boardwalk visitors, CNBCA would like the City Council to:
• Direct the City Attorney to research/vet AB1096 and develop an ordinance that:
✓ Prohibits e-bikes on the Boardwalk
✓ Requires helmets on all a -Bike riders city-wide
✓ Establishes fines that start at $500 per violation (e.g., not wearing a helmet, speeding)
Enact the new ordinance to promote rider safety and simplify enforcement by the Newport Beach
Police Department.
We look forward to continuing discussion with tangible results both city wide and in District One. Sincerely,
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Maureen Cotton
President, CNBCA
Received after Agenda Printed
August 23, 2022
Item No. SS4
From: Rieff, Kim
To: Mulvey, Jennifer
Subject: FW: City Council Mtg 2022-08-23 - SS4 Regulations, Education and Outreach Related to Electric Bicycles
Date: August 22, 2022 3:09:36 PM
Attachments: Electric Bike 37 mph.ma
From: Carmen Rawson <carmen rawson@att.net>
Sent: August 22, 2022 3:08 PM
To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Cc: Leung, Grace <gleung@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: City Council Mtg 2022-08-23 - SS4 Regulations, Education and Outreach Related to Electric
Bicycles
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the
content is safe.
City Council members,
As City staff presents the subject Study Session No. 4, please take into account when establishing a path
forward the fact that the electric bicycles technology is evolving resulting in new bike products, which
allow HIGHER AND HIGHER TOP SPEEDS.
We have all heard about electric bicycles capable of reaching top speeds of 20 mph (Class 1 and Class
2) or 28 mph (Class 3). However, as shown in the attached file, a recent electric bicycle design (with
pedals!!!) is being advertised with a top speed of 37 mph.
Should such electric bicycles been allowed to be ridden on the city's sidewalks and/or on the Peninsula's
boardwalk? I believe the answer should be a solid unequivocally NO.
Understanding that NBPD can not be present everywhere 24/7/365 1 believe it will be beneficial if the
NBPD conducts more "traffic safety operations" (as done on July 09, 2022) to issue citations to those
riding on sidewalks and/or over the speed limit on the boardwalk. No warnings but actual citations may
curtail the speeding behavior we often see.
Sincerely,
Carmen Rawson
2022 eBike Shootout: Which Will Sandy Munro Choose?
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Received after Agenda Printed
August 23, 2022
Item No. SS4
From: City Clerk"s Office
To: Mulvey. Jennifer; Rieff. Kim
Subject: FW: Questions: The Electric Bicycle Controversy
Date: August 23, 2022 12:16:44 PM
From: tinkerbe116146@gmail.com <tinkerbell6146@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2022 12:16:32 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: City Clerk's Office <CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: Fwd: Questions: The Electric Bicycle Controversy
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the
content is safe.
Dear City, I sent this email months ago to the speak up Newport Meeting. I would like to add
that since the forth of July E bikes have become out of control in front of Peninsula park.
Hordes of under age drivers are meeting at the park, mostly on weekends and speeding 29
miles, to, from and through the park, throwing lit fireworks. The police were there many
nights, doing nothing while the teenagers circled them and lit firecrackers right in front of their
police car. I believe there is also drug use occurring in these groups because of the
exaggerated behavior, though I have no proof of that. I had fireworks thrown at my house
and patio and still have burn marks on the concrete that I was unable to remove.
There are no rules and no enforcement of lawful behavior at Peninsula park. The City is
inviting this behavior and then relinquishing responsibility. Please pass some rules that hold
responsible, the owner of the bicycle, with a minimum age and some authorization of use,
passed by a test.
I have videos of described events.
Thank you, Josie de
Begin forwarded message:
From: tinkerbe116146@gmail.com
Date: June 7, 2022 at 1:58:25 PM PDT
To: question@speakupnewport.com
Subject: Questions: The Electric Bicycle Controversy
Dear City of Newport Beach, I cannot attend the Electric Bike meeting. I support
Electric Bicycles, with laws. I live in front of Peninsula Park. Is the City aware
that between Main Street and E Street many Electric bicycles are traveling
between 5-29 miles/ hour, racing down the boardwalk? They speed on the
Peninsula Park grass and use the grass as a race track. On weekends and holidays,
there are hundreds or riders speeding corner to corner and circling the inside
parameter. It is only a matter of time before someone sitting, laying or playing on
the grass gets run over. Heavy bicycles cannot be healthy for the grass.
In a few weeks, Jr Lifeguards will begin. They park their bicycles on the grass.
This issue could grow if not monitored.
There should be a sign that parking the Electric bike is ok, but that riding on the
grass is prohibited. Camp councilors can enforce the lifeguards and bike rental
shops should be required to inform bike renters of the rules. There should be
signs, for other riders and maybe a few tickets to enforce the rules.
Thank you, Josie