3/26/24 - Part 1 - SC County Supervisors - Ebike Ordinance

In this episode, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors deliberated on a new ordinance regarding the regulation of electric bicycles (e-bikes), motorized bicycles, and scooters. Introduced by Supervisors Koenig and Friend, the ordinance aims to address safety concerns stemming from the increasing popularity and speed of e-bikes, which can reach speeds of 20 to 28 miles per hour. With e-bike sales surging by 270% in recent years, incidents involving pedestrians and e-bikes on sidewalks have become more common, prompting the need for regulation. The proposed ordinance seeks to repeal and replace Chapter 9.54 of the county code, primarily to prohibit e-bikes and scooters on sidewalks and in parks, with exceptions based on safety considerations. This move coincides with the rollout of the B-cycle program in the unincorporated county, further underscoring the urgency of the regulation. Enforcement support from the CHP and Sheriff's Office was noted, and the ordinance will be open for public comment before its final adoption scheduled for April 9th, 2024. The discussion also touched on potential future amendments, including more precise definitions of e-bike operation and expanded public education efforts in partnership with organizations like Ecology Action to promote awareness of the new regulations.3/26/24 - SC County Supervisors notes and linksMeeting Portal with video linkhttps://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspxAgendahttps://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=14&ID=1698&Inline=TrueThe Agenda Packet it also available on the Portal. It is a very large file.Sections of the Agenda Packet related to the topics covered in the podcast and divided into smaller pieces are here:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lOM1-HtpaUYHBFU31P9qJK-S7QQCzQht?usp=drive_link