La Verne's Revised E-Bike Ordinance Heads Back to Council—Sidewalk Rules Unchanged
City leaders delayed a proposed mobility device ordinance after residents and officials raised concerns about sidewalk safety and enforcement.
I'd love to talk with people who actually ride e-bikes in La Verne—a parent whose kid uses one to get to school, a commuter without a car, a teenager navigating streets without bike lanes. Please call or text me at (909) 450-4227, or email staci@lavernedaily.org.
Southern California cities are still figuring out what to do about e-bikes—and in La Verne, that means weighing new rules, including whether riders should be banned from sidewalks altogether.
The La Verne City Council will consider a first reading of a revised mobility ordinance at its May 18 meeting, two weeks after council members pushed back on the original draft and directed staff to make changes. City Manager Ken Domer said it was "best and proper" to restart the reading process given the scope of amendments made since May 4.
What Changed
The revised ordinance adds two provisions not included in the original draft.
The first addresses rules for bidirectional bike lanes—a gap council member Wendy Lau flagged at the May 4 meeting in relation to the planned two-way bikeway along Arrow Highway. Under the new language, riders in protected two-way bike lanes must travel in the designated direction for their side of the lane, maintain safe speeds, and yield to pedestrians and other users at intersections, driveways and access points.
The second addition is broader in scope. The revised ordinance would prohibit e-bikes, electric motorcycles, motorized scooters and electrically motorized boards from operating in any city park unless the City expressly authorizes access through posted signage or designated bike pathways. The topic did not come up during the May 4 debate.
What Didn't Change
Despite dominating the May 4 discussion, sidewalk riding rules are unchanged from the original draft.
Under both versions, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are permitted on sidewalks when no designated bike lane is available, provided riders yield to pedestrians and maintain a safe speed. Class 3 e-bikes—capable of speeds up to 28 mph—remain banned from sidewalks and public off-road trails.
Staff's rationale, outlined in the May 18 agenda report, is that the sidewalk provision is consistent with both state law and existing City policy. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are classified as bicycles under the California Vehicle Code, and the City's current bicycle ordinance already permits sidewalk riding when conducted safely.
The May 4 Debate
Much of the May 4 discussion centered on whether to prohibit e-bikes from sidewalks entirely.
Mayor Tim Hepburn called for a full citywide ban. "I would say that we would strike this completely and say that there are no e-bikes on any sidewalks anywhere," he said. "Leave the bicycle as it is because it's not an issue."
Council member Steve Johnson agreed. "I don't think e-bikes should be anywhere near them. I don't think any bike should be on sidewalks," he said.
La Verne Police Capt. Travis Tibbetts, who presented the ordinance, said the original draft tried to balance safety with practical transportation needs. "There's certain areas of the City where there's not a designated bike lane, where a younger child might need to be on that sidewalk to be safer," he said.
He explained that state law generally treats Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes similarly to traditional bicycles because they are limited to speeds of 20 mph, though cities can adopt stricter local rules.
Still, some community members urge caution before adopting new restrictions.
“I fully understand the concern about sidewalk riding,” said Doug Strange, vice chair of La Verne’s Transportation & Infrastructure Commission and an avid cyclist. “While we may agree there is a problem, it is certainly possible that our rush to a solution may simply create a new set of problems we haven’t thought through.”
The council voted 4-0 on May 4 to continue the item. Council member Rick Crosby was absent. If adopted May 18, the ordinance would be added to the City’s municipal code and take effect 31 days after final passage.
From full bans to limited restrictions, sidewalk riding rules vary across neighboring cities.
Claremont prohibits bicycle riding on sidewalks citywide under its municipal code, requiring cyclists to use roadways or designated bike paths. San Dimas allows bicycles on most sidewalks but prohibits riding or walking bicycles along portions of Bonita Avenue and San Dimas Avenue under City ordinance. In Pomona, the municipal code prohibits skateboards, roller skates, inline skates, and similar human- or motor-powered devices on pedestrian walkways and parking areas within commercial shopping centers and stores.
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Staci Baird
Staci Baird
Staci Baird
