The Hermosa Beach City Council passed an urgent ordinance late Tuesday night aimed at those riding E-bikes unsafely or terrorizing others.
The new ordinance will ban E-bike riders from speeding, racing, or stunt activities. Those under the age of 18 will be required to wear a helmet and tandem riding is only permitted on units that provide enough seats.
It also prohibits the use of E-bikes on Pier Plaza, a walkable area containing several shops and restaurants, and the Greenbelt, a landscaped trail that runs between Ardmore and Valley Drive in Hermosa Beach.
While the ordinance does not completely ban E-bikes from the Strand, local laws do forbid the use of the electric motor or “pedal assist” function in the area.
In addition, using a bicycle, electric bicycle, or any other motorized transportation under the influence of alcohol or drugs is banned in the city.
Those who violate the ordinance will face fines ranging from $250 to $1,000.
Kids could also have their bikes impounded and have to wait for an adult to pay the impound fee before getting the bike back.
The city council has also mandated that by August 4, 2024, any entity providing E-bikes for rent in the city must include geofencing technology that prevents the use of electric motors anywhere electric bicycles are not allowed to operate.
It comes a week after a task force was created by police departments in the area to crack down on those riding E-bikes recklessly.
On May 25, the Hermosa Beach Police Department launched an investigation after a group of juveniles “recklessly rode through the city causing damage to the Pier/Hermosa Avenue street mural and other areas throughout the city.”
A citation was served to one of the juveniles and their guardians and the E-bike was impounded.
“The HBPD Traffic Bureau will be proactively monitoring video surveillance and videos posted online of reckless and illegal behavior,” according to a post by the department on Facebook. “ Home, school, the park, the[S]trand, or the beach… we can locate and serve you with a citation for court.”
Prior to Tuesday night’s urgent ordinance meeting, Hermosa Beach Mayor Justin Massey told KNX News' Nataly Tavidian, he’s heard multiple complaints from residents in the area which prompted the meeting.
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