La Verne Advances New E-Bike Safety Rules, Stops Short of Sidewalk Ban
Proposed ordinance targets unsafe riding behaviors while allowing some sidewalk riding and emphasizing rider education
Regulated mobility devices ordinance (first reading): Passed 3–1 (Steve Johnson no), Mayor Tim Hepburn was absent.
Why it matters
Residents have reported near‑misses and sidewalk conflicts as youth e‑bike use rises. The rules aim to reduce high‑severity bike‑vehicle crashes without eliminating a safer option for young or less confident riders on certain streets. Staff also noted state law does not ban bicycles on sidewalks, underscoring the city’s enforcement focus on unsafe behavior (stunts, wrong‑way riding, distracted riding) rather than a location‑only rule.
What’s next
The ordinance returns for a second reading and potential adoption (likely at the June 1 City Council meeting) before taking effect.
Updated 7:33 p.m. May 23 to add specific language from the proposed ordinance.
Electric bicycles, scooters and other mobility devices could soon face new rules in La Verne as city leaders continue trying to balance rider safety with growing concerns about sidewalk conflicts and reckless riding.
After months of discussion, city staff formally introduced a mobility safety ordinance regulating how e-bikes, scooters and other “regulated mobility devices” can operate citywide.
➡️ Read the proposed ordinance (as well as the previous draft and comments from the Transportation and Infrastructure Commission.
One major decision: Staff stopped short of recommending a citywide sidewalk riding ban after reviewing local crash patterns and consulting the city’s risk pool.
“Your liability doesn’t increase or decrease by putting bikes out there. But what may increase is your accidents,” the La Verne Police Chief Sam Gonzalez told the council. “There are more cars than there are e-bikes on the streets.”
Instead, the proposed ordinance focuses on unsafe behavior and high-risk riding.
Under the rules, Class 3 e-bikes would be prohibited on sidewalks and off-road trails. Riding would also be prohibited in city parks and park parking lots because of pedestrian traffic. The language in the ordinance states:
"Electric bicycles must use designated bicycle lanes where available. In the absence of a bicycle lane, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bike riders are permitted to use sidewalks, provided they maintain a safe speed and do not endanger pedestrian safety. Class 3 bikes are not allowed on sidewalks or public off-road trails."
The ordinance also requires riders to travel in the direction of traffic, use bike lanes when available, ride with lights at night and follow age and helmet requirements. Electric motorcycles would still require a license, registration and insurance.
Staff also added rules for future protected two-way bike lanes planned along Arrow Highway.
Police Capt. Travis Tibbetts said the ordinance would allow some violators to complete a safety course instead of paying a fine.
Council member Steve Johnson cast the lone “no” vote, saying he remains concerned about allowing sidewalk riding.
“When you have an e-bike and a pedestrian and the pedestrian is the one that’s gonna get hit on a sidewalk … there’s liability either way,” Johnson said. He added that allowing sidewalk riding “doesn’t fly with me.”
Council member Wendy Lau supported moving forward with the ordinance while continuing to monitor local data and community feedback.
“Let’s look at the data for us,” Lau said. “It may be different in six months for us.”
She also requested continued public education and additional signage for future protected bike lanes.
Staci Baird
Residents have increasingly raised concerns about near-misses, speeding and sidewalk conflicts as youth e-bike use has grown across the City.
Multiple members of the public spoke during the May 18 meeting, including La Verne resident Joe Galvadon, who opposed allowing mobility devices on sidewalks and described near-misses in their neighborhood, along with safety concerns related to an aging population.
Another speaker argued e-bikes should not be allowed on sidewalks beyond very young riders and raised intersection and bidirectional lane conflict concerns.
In my conversations with local riders, many have described how sidewalks remain an important safety option for younger riders navigating major corridors such as Foothill Boulevard. In an email to La Verne Daily News, La Verne resident Doug Strange, vice chair of La Verne’s Transportation & Infrastructure Commission, said it can be difficult for youth to travel across the City without using Foothill, especially for those who live in north La Verne.
“It is almost impossible to get to Ramona or Bonita without riding on Foothill,” Strange said. “Also, many of the businesses that youth would want to patronize or be employed by, are on Foothill.”
Strange also argued existing sidewalk conditions and fast-moving traffic complicate the issue.
“To be fair, it also has horrible sidewalks right next to traffic lanes … filled with utility poles, traffic apparatus, bus stops, and sidewalks that are insufficiently wide to pass,” he said.
While acknowledging risks exist, Strange said he believes collisions involving vehicles pose a greater danger to young riders than sidewalk conflicts with pedestrians.
“No problem/solution is without risk,” Strange said. “While there is risk of a youth striking a pedestrian on a sidewalk, it is unlikely to result in serious injury or death. When a youth gets hit by a car doing 40-45 on a scooter, skateboard, or bicycle, it is much more likely to result in serious injury or death.”
City staff said state law does not prohibit bicycles on sidewalks, adding that the proposed ordinance is intended to focus enforcement on unsafe behaviors such as stunts, wrong-way riding and distracted riding rather than implementing a blanket sidewalk ban.
