City officials in Buena Park are taking another look at potentially allowing e-bikes on city sidewalks, as long as they follow a 10 mile-per-hour speed limit and yield to pedestrians.

Officials say the higher sidewalk speed is needed so if the city does allow riding on sidewalks, a lower speed limit could push people to ride on the street. 

“We decided to explore our capabilities of going faster,” said Councilmember Carlos Franco at Tuesday’s meeting.

“And that’s what our youth is doing. That doesn’t change by generation. What we need to do is set some rules to keep them safe, and to keep pedestrians walking safely.”

It comes as cities across Orange County have been grappling with how to best regulate e-bikes as infrastructure overhauls supporting safer riding lag behind. 

Currently, city law bans all “electric mobility devices,” including e-bikes, e-skateboards and motorized scooters, are not allowed on city sidewalks, drains, fields, gyms, playgrounds or public property in the city.

Additionally, they cannot be ridden in an “unsafe manner” on roads, highways or bike paths, meaning that the riders cannot swerve around traffic or pedestrians, go against traffic, or go over 25 miles per hour.

However, those under 18 are currently allowed to ride on sidewalks, given that they are not “unsafe.”

In July, staff presented the potential sidewalk speed limit, but city council members asked staff to look at neighboring cities’ regulations before proceeding.

At last night’s meeting, Buena Park Police Department Sergeant Roger Plumlee presented information from Fullerton, Cypress, La Palma and Anaheim – Buena Park’s neighbors – that shows different approaches to e-bikes.

Fullerton and Anaheim allow riders on sidewalks, though Fullerton imposes a 5 mile-per-hour speed limit, and Anaheim only allows it in posted areas. Both require riders to yield to pedestrians.

Cypress doesn’t have any specific municipal codes regarding e-bike usage, referring to statewide regulations instead and La Palma prohibits unsafe riding and bans e-motorized vehicles on sidewalks.

Ultimately, staff recommended a 10 mile-per-hour sidewalk speed limit for those under 18 be adopted, along with specific wording to give pedestrians the right of way.

According to Plumlee, the 10 mile-per-hour speed limit, as opposed to other cities’ 5 mile-per-hour limits, is because of the pre-existing allowance for youth to ride on the sidewalk, and not tempt them to ride in the street to go faster.

“It gives them a little more speed so we’re not encouraging street use,” Plumlee said at the meeting. 

Plumlee also mentioned that the department is currently working alongside school districts in the area for education outreach.

“We’re working with educators who try to develop a plan to continue the education side, so we’re not strictly focused on enforcement,” Plumlee said at the meeting. 

Huntington Beach is the first OC City to roll out an e-bike riding training course, designed for youth and their parents to learn rules and bike safety. 

The class can be taken to waive a citation, and must be completed for those in Huntington Beach schools to bring their e-bikes to school.

On Tuesday, Buena Park City Council members ultimately gave city staff the green light to develop specific language that would be voted on at a later date to add a 10 mile-per-hour speed limit to sidewalks and give pedestrians right of way.

“I see that the legal protections that this can have for folks that are injured, and the city’s taking an active role to protect future potential victims,” said Mayor Connor Traut at Tuesday’s meeting.

Meanwhile, several OC cities are cracking down on e-bike usage.

Cities like Yorba Linda, Huntington Beach, Irvine and Placentia have established their own city-specific ordinances to prevent reckless riding.

Michelle King is a Voice of OC reporting fellow. You can reach her at michelleking.news@gmail.com.