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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00 - Non-Agenda Item - CorrespondenceReceived After Agenda Printed October 24, 2023 Non -Agenda Item From: Kyle Hawley <kyle59@me.com> Sent: October 23, 2023 2:27 PM To: Jesse Briggs; City Clerk's Office Subject: Re: NEWPORT HILLS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION- CITY COUNCIL MEETING Attachments: 10-23-23 Notes for Upcoming Newport Beach City Council Meeting.pdf Dear Jessie Briggs and the city of Newport Beach, I don't endorse the usage of throttle a -bikes or electric motorcycles on our green belts and streets, despite not owning any. However, I find electric assist bicycles acceptable as they provide modest assistance to individuals who may struggle with traditional biking or desire a little extra range or just want to get to the grocery store or work without breaking a sweat. I've flagged an issue at Corona Del Mar High School to the Newport Beach police, concerning the conduct of kids on bikes, regardless of the type. I believe the focus should be on enforcing traffic laws and addressing behavior, rather than the type of bike ridden. This scenario mirrors the past 'skateboarding is not a crime' sentiment, illustrating that the equipment, be it a skateboard or a specific type of bike, doesn't inherently make one a criminal. In California, a -bikes and electric motorcycles are classified based on their top speed, motor power, and the necessity for pedaling: Class 1 e-bikes offer electric support only while pedaling, halting at 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes possess a throttle, enabling propulsion without pedaling up to 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes, akin to Class 1, assist up to 28 mph and necessitate a speedometer. E-bikes must have motors under 750 watts, while electric motorcycles, defined by engine power over 150cc, require an M-1 endorsement for operation. The acceptability of electric assist a -bikes versus throttle e-bikes or electric motorcycles stems from safety and preserving traditional biking norms. Classes 1 and 3, requiring pedaling, promote safer speeds and align with conventional biking, contributing to traffic calming. Conversely, the throttle on Class 2 e-bikes and electric motorcycles, allowing for higher speeds without pedaling, increases risks on the road and aligns more with motor vehicles under California law, potentially jeopardizing safety and biking culture. While there's a specific regulatory structure for e-bikes and electric motorcycles, discussions on restrictions primarily revolve around safety, speed regulation, and protecting cycling infrastructure. To reiterate, I neither own nor endorse electric motorcycles but oppose banning any vehicles compliant with California vehicle code. The core issue appears to revolve around the Super 77 throttle electric bikes and, more notably, the Surron electric motorcycles on our streets. Both have pedals affixed solely for compliance purposes, yet it's clear that they align more with electric motorcycles, thereby falling under a different segment of vehicle code. The final challenge arises from parents not fully grasping the nature of these vehicles when purchasing them for their children, and failing to impart proper riding etiquette. On a related note, I've observed both adults and kids misusing golf carts, operating them without license plates on our streets and on green belts and landscaping, contrary to California vehicle code regulations. Thank you for your consideration, Kyle Hawley 1743 Port Hemley Circle, Newport Beach CA 92660 Cell 949.453.5953 Sent from my Whone On Oct 23, 2023, at 2:03 PM, Jesse Briggs <newporthillshoa@gmail.com> wrote: Dear Owners, Please be advised that the Newport Hills Community Association will be attending the Newport Beach City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. during open forum to address concerns regarding use of electric bikes and crime within the Newport Hills Community Association. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach. All owners are urged to attend the meeting or provide your written comments by Monday, October 23, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. to the City Clerk at cityclerk@newportbeachca.gov Please review the attached Notice regarding the meeting. The Board of Directors Newport Hills Community Association Upcoming City Council Meeting on October 24, 2023 I. Information Regarding the Meeting • The City Council will be meeting on October 24, 2023, beginning at 4:00 p.m. with the Council's Study Session. This will be followed by the Closed Session, after which the Regular Meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. The Regular Meeting is when residents of the city of Newport Beach can address the Council in open forum. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers, located at: 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660. • Members of the public have the right to address the City Council on any item on the agenda. The City Council also gives members of the public an opportunity to address them on non -agenda items that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. • The issue of electric bicycles and crime within the Newport Hills Community Association is not on the agenda for the meeting on October 24, 2023. However, per the City Council's website, three minutes per speaker is allowed on both agenda and non -agenda items. However, bear in mind that the City Council has the discretion to extend or shorten the time limit on agenda or non -agenda items. • Furthermore, questions and comments can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to the City Clerk at cityclerk@newportbeachca.gov. To give the City Council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments by Monday, October 23, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. II. Samole Points of Interest for Discussion of Electric Bicvcles • Option 1: The City of Newport Beach should ban the use of electric bicycles, particularly within the city -owned parks that transverse the Newport Hills Community Association. This action would be similar to the banning of electric bicycles passed in San Clemente in 2022 on their coastal boardwalks. Like in San Clemente, we need signs posted along the city - owned parks warning of a substantial minimum fine for using an electric bicycle. • Option 2: If the City Council will not consider a total ban, we need the City Council to take action similar to that of Huntington Beach, where their city council passed an ordinance that allows city police to stop anyone operating an electric bicycle in an "unsafe manner," enforced through the impounding of the bicycle or a fine of up to $400.00. We believe this fine should be higher here in order to drastically curb this growing and dangerous problem. • Option 3: If the City Council will not consider a total ban, then we also request the implementation of low electric bicycle speed limits in all public areas, similar to what Lake Forest has passed. In Lake Forest, the city has implemented a speed limit of 5 MPH on sidewalks, paths and walkways for electric bicycles. We believe this solution would require the installation of solar powered speed limit signs within our community's city -owned parks that also include radar detection and a camera for proper enforcement. Violation of the posted speed limit also needs to include a steep fine to dissuade wanton violation. This is needed as not only are people riding one of three categories of electric bicycles under California Vehicle Code Section 312.5 (Class 1 is a low -speed pedal -assisted electric bicycle with a motor; Class 2 is a low -speed throttle -assisted bicycle capable of reaching 20 MPH; and Class 3 is a speed pedal -assisted electric bicycle with a motor capable of reaching 28 MPH), but are also now riding Sur -Ron brand electric bicycles that can reach a top speed of 50 MPH. This is creating a severe threat to public safety. * (Please also consider sharing any personal anecdotes or stories that you have personally experienced involving the dangerous situations facilitated by these electric bicycles.) * III. Greater Police Presence • In addition to the electric bicycle issue, we also need a greater police presence dedicated to patrolling our community as there has been a dramatic increase in crime involving large groups of teenagers. These mobile groups of teenagers use the electric bicycles to commit crimes and then evade enforcement. Specifically, this increase in crime has involved harassment in the form of threats, felony vandalism, assault, and battery. • We would like to suggest the following: (1) an increase in police patrols in the community, specifically in the park areas; (2) that the Newport Beach Police Officers, when ending their shifts, do their write-ups and reports while parked near the community park areas as an option to further increase law enforcement visibility; and (3) the use of mobile surveillance units from the Newport Beach Police Department that can be used during Halloween and other particularly active days.